Time flies-- sometimes

Last term, when I was starting this nursing program, the first 2 or 3 weeks dragged by so slowly, and I was convinced that this was going to be the longest 11 months in my life, but after that, something gave, and the rest of the term flew by in a zip.  After my flurry of a break, I hit this term running and the first 3 or 4 weeks zipped by like the end of the first term, and I was convinced that this was going to be the shortest 11 months of my life.  And then it dragged.... and dragged, and dragged, and I swear these past 2 or 3 weeks have been the length of a lifetime.  I do not think I have been so ready to be done with a school term/semester in my whole life.  I have been grumpy as heck to compliment the forever long weeks, so send my husband sympathy notes or give him a medal or something for sticking with me.  But here I am, standing at the end of week 9, which means 1 more week of classes and then finals and I will get a delicious 2 week break, complete with sleeping in until a ridiculous hour, reading just for fun, and my 23rd birthday smack in the middle.  I can make it.  

As torturous as these past few weeks have seemed, I can't help but realize how far I have come this term.  Last term, our teacher had us analyzing lab values in clinical, and we were just confused and frustrated since we didn't even know what things like BUN stood for, let alone what would constitute an abnormal value and what that abnormal value would indicate.  I'm not pretending like I'm some expert on the topic now, but we're getting to the point where we at least have an idea that BUN has to do with kidney function, and it's usually not good if the number isn't within a normal range.  That's really a step up.  This term, I also gave my 1st injections, 1 to a baby, and then to an adult.  I put in a catheter, which, as anyone who has previously read my blog may be aware, was quite the triumph for me.  I saw a birth.  I played water balloons with kids at a mental health hospital... ok, not much of an accomplishment, but it was fun.  And my knowledge has grown so much.  Last term, we were making beds and changing diapers.  This term, we still do that, but we also assess our patients, administer meds, and do all their charting and such.  We basically handle all the patients' needs during the shift, which really feels good.  I know I won't really learn to be a nurse until after I graduate, but I think this is the term where I've started feeling like one a little bit.  So, I guess I've drudged through it all for something.  This coming week I get to observe a surgery, so I guess that will be a nice little experience to wrap up the term.

I know I'm just blabbing about boring stuff, but in other news, I am so stinking excited for my birthday.  I know it's self-centered, but it's pretty much my favorite day of the entire year.  I have always just felt like a birthday is a great excuse to just be so happy and excited.  It's something to look forward to, to count down to.  And I am so excited to spend this birthday with my favorite person on the planet (love you honey) in New York City.  I don't think I can imagine a better scenario.  So I can use that delightful little dream of an upcoming event to pull me through these last couple weeks.  Almost half way done with this program.