Getting nervous!

There's really nothing too exciting to report (as usual) but I am starting to get some serious butterflies about taking the NCLEX. For those of you that don't know what the NCLEX is, it is kind of a shorthand way of referring to the "state boards" or nursing boards. I think it may stand for National Certifying and and Licensing Examinations, or something close to that. At any rate it's a 75-265 question computerized adaptive test and the results determine my future, or near future. So, instead of studying, I went on over to Yahoo and started a group for my class. Even though non-nursing-PCC-2007 class members can't join, you can always take a peek here.

So, that's it for now. If anything exciting happens before the NCLEX (next Thursday) I'll let ya'all know!
As of today:

NCLEX Prep

I'm actually studying, like I should be, and therefore get a cookie. But, thought I would share some info before I snack.

On WebCT (for those who still have access), under "Course Tools and Other Useful Links" is an icon for PCC Library and Books. About 1/3 of the way down in another link for NCLEX-RN practice tests which directs you to the Learning Express Library. I'm about 1/2 way through a practice test at the moment, but find the format easy to follow and consistent with other practice exams. It's also a nice change from paper testing as the CD that came with my NCLEX book doesn't work in a Mac. Poor me, ha ha.

Anyway, every resource we have is another resource for passing! As I run across more sites, I'll post them here. And don't forget the practice ATI tests! Contact me if you need that list of ID's and passwords again (my classmates only).

Ciao

Nothing Exciting

Really, nothing exciting at all. No job offers yet (yes, I'm applying, not waiting for someone to magically contact me). Which means no new domicile just yet. I live in the world's crapiest apartment, and with the loudest neighbors overhead. I think the only reason I went to nursing school was to be able to afford a better crappy apartment, as house prices around 200k for fixer-uppers is a little out of my reach. Sigh.

Do I waste money on the lottery or hope for a rich relative I've never met (and don't believe I have) to die and leave me everything? I'm not asking much, two bedrooms, 1000 sq. ft., a small yard, and maybe a garage in case I someday decide to buy something newer than a 10 year old car. Or put a stereo worth more than $70 in the one I currently have. A basement would be nice too. Or a three bedroom where the third bedroom is the second floor, like a "master" bedroom. Who am I kidding, the cat's are the masters in this home, then the kiddo. I'd be willing to fight for a whole floor all to myself though. Sigh. I suspect this lovely vision is no where in my immediate future, providing immediate is any time in the next 5-10 years.

For now, I'd settle for a washer/dryer hookup and not being able to hear my neighbor pee.

Thinking that was settled, I ran across a picture of myself from 5-6 months ago, right after I quit smoking and right before I ate the holiday. I thought my chin was too thick in that picture, and felt like I looked fat, as usual, but truth is I was around 170 then, not the 208 I'm staring down the barrel at now. What a shocker when I saw just how thick both of my chins are now. I would love to go back to that girl. She looked like she was under a little less stress there. Even considering she had just quit smoking and was under holiday stress in addition to the continued class load. Hindsight hindsight.

The list is getting longer again. Thinner chin. Washer/dryer hookup. Not being able to hear neighbors taking care of their bodily functions. Self-Esteem.

Diet Mania!

Officially it is day 2 of "the diet" and while I'm not a size six yet, I do feel hopeful, if not a little deprived. I would pay precious money to someone who could come up with a French fries, ketchup, McFlurry, and occasional Big Mac diet. Oh wait, that's how I got fat. Hmm. Anyway, only posting because I found the cutest weight tracker. Some day I may even put my actual weight down!

Graduation!

This past Saturday I became an official nursing school graduate! While I still have the state boards to take in early July, the end of my journey gets closer every day. No, no jobs lined up just yet, I've been putting that off until I had actually finished school so as not to add more pressure during that last term, but I have some prospects. For today, after seeing the graduation pictures, I'm going to start working on losing that nursing school weight (that's me on the left). According to the nursing school instructors, it's not weight gained but knowledge. Tell that to the camera! LOL
Honestly, it doesn't quite feel real yet, being a nurse that is. I'm hoping that once I've taken the NCLEX I'll feel more legitimate, but maybe that feeling won't come until I've been working for a while. Either way, I did it!