This shit is real.

As much as nursing school is kicking my ass, the experiences I've had in clinical makes it totally worth all the brutal ass kicking I'm getting.
I finally was able to give my first injection this week! It's all I've been wanting to do. I gave a tetanus shot in the ER. I had a 12 hour shift there on Wednesday and it was incredible. I really loved it. I had a patient who had cyanosis around her mouth, her hands, legs, and toes. I also had a patient with a history of kidney failure and AIDS who was jumping from one emergency room to the next to get some pain meds. It was really sad to see a person with this type of drug-seeking behavior. I also had to opportunity to irrigate a catheter with saline solution on a man that had some serious clotting going on in his bladder. I had a few patients with congestive heart failure and was able to palpate the swelling of their legs and really see pitting occur. I know all this stuff sounds gross or bizarre but it's so interesting to me and I want to help people feel better and have less pain. I was having really bad neck pain today (I'm due for another massage... what can I say...) and thought to myself... I can't imagine how much pain people are in when they are sick. When a person is to the point that they need opioids to relieve them from the pain, it's just so sad to me. I've noticed that my reaction to a lot of the patients that have really terrible illnesses is mostly just feeling bad for them. I really sympathize with the ill. When a person is so sick that they have to be admitted to the hospital, it's not a time of judgment- it's a time of holistic healing and care.
On another note...
I really love Villanova. It's refreshing to have a school really care about and appreciate their students. Especially the BSN Express students. There are so many opportunities to meet with different instructors, resource staff, etc. if you need extra help or have any issues of concern. Besides the whole Catholic crosses on the walls, I actually don't feel like there's too much of a religious presence on campus. Villanova really strives for "diversity," and also has a strong Augustinian value to educate students effectively and charitably.
I had a few guests in town these past few weeks. My friend Emiliya came from Florida, and my sister and her boyfriend Andrew came for a couple days as well. It was so fun and refreshing to have people that I love come and visit. Over my break from school my Grandma and Mom came as well for about a week. We were able to explore Philadelphia- and I could tell they really liked it and will be coming back again soon.
Time for bed! I've got to wake up at 5:30am for clinical! Goodnight!!!!!!!!

Success!

It has been a little while since I've posted here, mainly because I have been running around and taking care of all sorts of shiz for my big move.
I drove to PA with (my traveling buddy) Rachel and found my perfect apartment. Train right across the street, coffee shop a couple doors down, four miles away from school, etc. etc. I visited Villanova and the nursing school too! I'm moving THIS THURSDAY. I'm excited and nervous. I am really looking forward to living near Amy (two hours!) and discovering all sorts of restaurants, stores, cafes, etc. in my area.
I will post again once I am officially in PA and settled.
YAY!!!!

Here we go!

I've officially completed my FAFSA and have filled out some of the necessary forms for financial aid through Villanova University. I'm finally at the point where I can really start applying for scholarships, too! I will be driving from Michigan to PA the end of March to find an apartment. It will be an interesting nine+ hour drive. After I've found my amazing wonderful perfect (keep dreaming... right?) apartment, I'm going to go visit my sister who only lives an hour and forty five minutes from my school (not considering traffic). So close, right?
I'm almost out of my funk of my weird feelings. Sometimes it creeps back up, but I'm fighting any wandering thoughts. I think being pulled out of your comfortable world into a totally new existence isn't easy to deal with in general. But, at the same time, I think that I really won't have time to be all boohoo once I move for nursing school because shit, that stuff is going to be demanding! I want to get all my feelings of sadness out and deal with what I can and just move on. Because, well, I am really excited to move. I want to meet interesting people and have a place to call my own.
My aunt and uncle from New York are in town. Last night they came over for tea, wine, and dessert. It was pleasant. Nothing too exciting has been going on here. It's been windy lately. I'm still working out a ton and am pleased with the results I have been seeing.
Ciao.

By the way- Happy Birthday Dedulya. I miss you every day. I won't be able to ever fill the void for Babulya, but I'm damn near close.