the end of a journey

Yesterday marked the end of a little journey I've had called nursing school.

I'll never forget asking a 'seasoned' nurse in the halls of a hospital if she had any advice on getting through nursing school. She asked with a smile, "Are you staying up til 2am studying only to get up at 5am for clinicals?" With a big sigh I replied, "yes". She placed a hand on my shoulder and said, "you're going to do just fine."

Some other things I'll never forget...

~that first patient I had, and hoping to God I didn't look as scared as I was

~the feel of putting on surgical scrubs and blending in

~hoping that my inexperienced eyes wouldn't give me away

~passing tests, putting projects together, and those dreaded CPE's

1st semester clinical group

~holding the hand of a dying man, holding the head of a newborn

2nd semester clinical group

~finding out how to ask questions

last day on the psych unit

~how to live with the answers

last day of 3rd semester

~laughing, crying, and not being ashamed because in this profession you can care

last day of clinicals

~my fellow classmates, and all that we have shared together

presenting the graduating class of Butler Nursing Spring 2011

~and having the most incredible person with me this entire journey.

Thank you Sasha. I have no words to describe how much you have enhanced my life. You're such an inspiration and I'm thankful for our wonderful friendship.
(PS-I see a beach and margarita's in our near future)

And last night's graduation...thank you everybody for coming and helping me celebrate. Because of your continued love and support I felt so proud to have you all there. You all have been wonderful and I appreciate each and every one of you!

Jess, you're supposed to photo-shopped in here...I guess you and your twin

And now to give a very special thanks to my family. You saw me at my worst and very infrequent best. I could not be here today without your unconditional love and support.  

Thank you for sending me your love the countless hours that I was away. For giving me the ability to be strong when I felt weak, for keeping my head up whenever my heart was discouraged...I was able to because of your unwavering love. 

This day is as much a gift for you as it is for me. 

A day that has been long-anticipated; that we have worked so hard for.

We did it baby!