Just Call Me, Miss RN

Hot damn...I made it.  Nursing school has consumed 2 years and 200 mental breakdowns!  But, I am done...moving on to take my NCLEX exam soon but I've got positive vibes about this one! I am fortunate to have a job already and will be starting soon with the title of RN at Shawnee Mission Health on the Heart-Neuro-Vascular Unit, where I have currently been employed for 3+ years! Let the med passing begin!

Besides earning my degree, I was chosen as the Class President and had the honor of delivering the final speech at our pinning ceremony on May 23rd. A auditorium full of families, friends, significant others, children, instructors, and college dignitaries...no pressure there.  But here it is...I had to make a few adjustments as they didn't want any "names" used...but this was my original speech.

Did I mention before starting it, I got up on stage and took a selfie of the class...which definitely broke the ice, especially when I realized I took a pic of the big screen instead!  Leave it to me!

Pinning Speech 2017

The three little words we have all waited to here…WE MADE IT!

Two years, 2000 hours of lost sleep, tears, and pre-test tachycardia, we can finally say we did it!!! 

Two years ago, we all made a choice, before even knowing each other, to take a chance on ourselves and begin a journey into what I would call one of the most rewarding and honorable careers out there, Nursing.  What we didn’t know then, is that we would become one giant family. 

As I stand here today, I feel so honored to have been chosen to represent the Class of 2017.  I remember speaking at my HS graduation, circa 1999 and I never imagined this is where I would be today, so thank you! But this speech isn’t just about who was chosen to give it or what I feel should be said, it’s about all of us.  I asked the class to give me one or two words to describe the last two years…and although I can’t name all of them, here are a few. 

Kelsi – “emotional” and if I could sum it up in emoji’s, I would!

Tiffani – “whirl-wind”

Kari - an “insane odyssey”

Pola – “caffeine”…this one hit the nail on the head, but she followed up with “friendship” which couldn’t be more true.

Corinne – “roller coaster”

Brittani – “bittersweet”

Keeley – “sacrifice and commitment”

And lastly, I have to add this one in because it’s real…Lauren described this as… “constantly riding the struggle bus” and I think we have all felt that way at some point over the last two years!

As for me, I would have to describe this journey as, “unforgettable”

There are so many people to thank and if I was to get to everyone individually they would cue the music like they do at the Oscars.  So here goes. First off, and I think we would all agree, I want to thank the instructors…from first semester to fourth, from clinical to simulation to lecture, thank you for your support and dedication to this class.  Thank you for making it a challenge and thank you for never giving up on us. 

Secondly, and I think it is safe to say…thank you to all of our families, our friends, our children, and our significant others; to each one of you who stood beside us, supporting us, reminding us the reason for this journey, being there to listen, to push us, and sometimes grabbing us by the shoulders and telling us to get a hold of ourselves and stay positive; ok so maybe this is me personally!  But regardless, thank you!

To my classmates, whom I now consider family.  I don’t know all of you like I do some, but I am so blessed to have been a part of this class.  I often say how hard this was for me…but it’s been hard for each and every one of us.  I believe we have all inspired each other in some way and let’s be real, I think we can safely say this class, our class, will go down in history.

To my family, to James and my friends, words cannot express how fortunate I am to have all of you.  My biggest fans and greatest supporters, here together, thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul.  Your continued belief in me is worth more than a lifetime of thank you’s.

To Shannon, a December 2016 graduate of the Nursing Program, the girl who nudged me to take a chance and choose the profession of Nursing, thank you. You have not only been there to tell me it will be OK, but to remind me over the last two years why this incredible yet difficult journey is all worth it.  You have been there to dry my eyes, listen to me vent, listen to my fears and to give me two-armed hugs when I just felt like giving up.  Here’s to 12 years of friendship and support.
(Because the school had to approve my speech...insert eye roll...I had to leave out those last two paragraphs to keep it strictly "about the class." My original speech included the above...but they can't change my blog 'cause it's all mine)

As we all take the next step into this great big world as RN’s, we have one thing in common, we will help people, we will save lives and we will do it every day with our giant hearts and amazing minds.  So, here’s to you Class of 2017, you are about to make a difference in the world. 

I really wanted to fill balloons full of glitter that I could pop over the crowd...but I am guessing the college would have frowned upon that!  Onto the next adventure of Nursing and pursuing my KU Bachelor's Degree!!

My Grad Cake from Jenny

Walking out of my last final exam like...peace!

I will never forget all of these moments! From my last exam to graduation to the infamous selfie!
It was all worth it!!

RN status, Class President, and Activities Chair of the Student Nursing Association!
Shona

Nursing School~Blood, Sweat, Tears...Coffee and a Few Beers

I am not sure what was harder...going back to school after being out for almost 2 decades or the fact I wanted to go back to study nursing.  Nursing wasn't even on my mind until a friend of mine started working at a local Hospital and told me to join her, that I would love it! I was getting a bit burnt out of my current career and was feeling the need to do something more to help people.  Why not I thought? What's scary about leaving a good job, decent salary, 4 days a week or knowing it wasn't going anywhere? Everything!!  But I did it! I applied for a Clinical Associate position, got the job, gave my old job a 5 week notice and in February of 2014 I started a whole new path!  One year later, I knew I wanted to apply for Nursing School and fortunately I was accepted my first time around. 

Happy tears as I read that letter stating that I made it in!  It was a small chance even with a good GPA because I didn't live in the county the school is located in and they only accept about 10% of us outsiders...call me lucky! I also applied for an Endowment Scholarship that could possibly pay my entire tuition for the first year...guess what? I got it.  Not only had a left decent paying job, I was going to be working part-time and going through school...and students at my age still have bills so this scholarship was something I needed! It was a relief for sure!  I knew the next two years would be hard...studying, financially, giving up things I had been used to for so long but the end result would be worth it, right?

I am now entering my last 8 weeks, where has the time gone? I remember the first day of class, I remember what I wore and I remember how scared shitless I was.  My life has taken some major turns and this one, although a positive step, made me question if what I was doing was the right thing. What if I fail? That has crossed my mind so many times...I wouldn't say I am a negative person but I have seen it happen, I was trying to be real with myself.  I'm not sure I should use the word fail, I am very strong headed and usually strive for and achieve my goals, but I knew this was going to be one of the hardest challenges to date.

First semester, not too bad, passed with a B.  I had to tell myself, "Shona, it's ok to not be an A student". Second semester, sucked ass, literally.  It was so hard. I was actually failing Pathology until the very last test, which would determine passing this class. However, this was a class I could retake and still move on, but who wants to do that?  Fortunately I passed, with a C, but hey it beat having to re-do.  I wanted to flush that semester down the toilet and I did too.  Third semester, cake walk, literally. Spoiled for sure...I had the nursing course and Pharmacology and ended the semester with a B and an A which I needed after that damn C in second semester.  Fourth semester, first 8 weeks. Scared.out.of.my.mind.  Three tests, your average has to be a 76% to pass. So basically I needed to do well on the first test to have some cushion. The way I looked at it, if you F up on the first test, you are playing catch up on the last two...I did not want to deal with that.  Last Thursday, I took my final test of the first 8 weeks and ended the class with a solid B. I can breathe again.

My last 8 weeks are soon approaching and I as prepare for my pinning ceremony in May, I can finally see the end.  I now know that I am going to successfully complete Nursing school and start working as an RN, upon passing my NCLEX, this summer. But here's the thing, now I finally feel confident that I will pass both the last 8 weeks and the NCLEX, which is a whole different test taken after you graduate.  Before now, entering every semester, I was scared to death and many times doubted myself through this process.  Thankfully, I have had amazing support from friends, family, and the BF...who has seen me through 3 whole semesters!  I have cried, laughed, rolled my eyes...a lot, and felt fear. Encouraging words have definitely helped me through and maybe a few times, hugs...sometimes hugs help too.  I am so grateful for everyone who has stood beside me. Did I mention, I have had the BEST study group....and since First Semester!

So, as I write this over what appears to be my last official "spring break" as a student, I am ready to begin this new path of helping others more than I already am.  It's time to give up the royal blue scrubs and start wearing navy and white!!

Cheers to May 23rd!
Shona, Future RN.