And so it ends.....

Another semester of nursing school is over. The final is done (although I'm still not so patiently waiting for my grade) and my mini summer vacation can begin. But I sit here with questions in my head about what I answered right and what I answered wrong and where the heck did that question come from because I sure as heck don't remember reading that. And as nursing students it seems that is all we do is read. I sent my husband a message that said I'm not sure if I should cry or drink. I truly have no idea how I did on that test other than I past. Or I'm pretty sure I passed.

Once our grades post we will be officially called second year students. Something we thought we earned going into this semester but the instructors called this our "bridge" semester. In 32 short weeks(two 16 week semesters) of class we will find ourselves standing at graduation and pinning ceremony. Is that possible? It seems like I have been working forever toward a goal that would never get here.


So here I sit with a ball of emotions I don't know what to do with. I'm happy, excited, scared, and sad all in one. I know many of you wonder why I would be sad. Some of our instructors won't be bridging with us to second year classes. They will stay behind and welcome the new students who will have no idea the changes that are coming in their lives because they are nursing students. This semester has not been easy. It has been one of the hardest on my marriage. But academically it has been one of the most fulfilling. My clinical instructor was by far the best clinical instructor I have had yet. One day I had to leave a class early because of a sick child and this instructor didn't hesitate to stop and put her arms around my neck and pray for me. Another student became ill during class and she didn't hesitate to stop and ask the class to pray for her. That says a lot about a person. That says a lot about her as an instructor and a person. She has taught me so much in such a short period of time about being a nurse, a person, and a leader. Words could never express how deeply grateful I am to her.

For the first time in almost 26 weeks I don't have a class to prepare for on Monday. I don't have clinical paperwork to get done, I don't have to worry about studying for next weeks test. I have about 17 days of no nursing school work. (of course there is always something in nursing school to be reviewed but it's not much on our time off) I wonder......what will I do with my free time? If you looked at my calendar you would say what free time? But when your mind isn't filled with care plan jargon and drugs to memorize it really is time off. It's a strange feeling. I'm not sure how to feel about it.

And so just as this semester ends.......the summer begins.........and then comes another semester..........But first a few days of sleep without an alarm clock!