So I'd like to share some great news, as I have finally completely 4 years of school and graduated from successfully graduated from nursing school, earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), along with passing my state boards (NCLEX-RN, the worst whopper of an exam), which means that, according to the Kansas State Board of Nursing, I am officially a Registered Nurse, licensed to practice! I cannot describe all that this means to me because I am overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions, but I can definitely say that I'm blessed beyond belief to live as a testimony of God's grace and faithfulness through these past 4 years.
I expected to graduated nursing school proud, confident, and empowered to begin my career as a REAL nurse, but it hasn't been quite that simple. First, I have to admit, I feel like I lost part of my mind in the whole process of completing nursing school that I have not yet regained and wonder if I will ever fully recover and be completely "with-it" in the head. Until I actually was actively engaged in my pursuit of a nursing career, I didn't appreciate all that it takes to become a nurse, physically, intellectually, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc. I quickly began to realize the toll it takes on one's body.
Actually, it would be interesting to know how many brain cells were killed/died/lost during my past 4 years, a time when my brain should be getting bigger and better and when I was supposed to be getting smarter. One would expect medical professionals to be at the top of their game mentally/intellectually; however, my experience does not live up to that expectation. Though I might have endured all the tedious studying of the nursing/medical textbook material, answered the questions right on exams, and proved to be competent with all the nursing skills, I don't claim to be an expert or even a novice, because I have come to recognize the importance of continuing education, as I can/will never know it all, and I will always be learning new things, as well as constantly challenging myself intellectually in order to be the most well-rounded, best-educated nurse I can possibly be. The written exams tested my knowledge and understanding of everything I supposedly learned through nursing school, but more importantly I was evaluated on the hands-on work a nurse is responsible for, so I learned, practiced, and refined my nursing skills in the clinical/hospital setting, gaining a solid foundation to prove myself as a safe, competent nurse to practice in the field.
I guess most people find the biggest sense of accomplishment in saying they graduated from college; however, I am most proud to say that I survived nursing school, as well as completing my undergraduate degree, all of which I give credit to my Lord and Savior who was with me every step of the way, giving me the strength to take on a feat that nearly killed me and delivering me through the entire thing, every bit of the gruelsome work composed of the following: an overwhelming sense of always being stressed-out, anxious/nervous, mind-racing/cranking (over-analyzing), sleep-deprived, and socially non-existent to the world outside nursing school and the medical realm; sweat and tears; trial and error; wide-eyed fears and disappointing failures; simple acts/moments of success and accomplishments/achievements (even the tiny ones); and my very memorable, humbling "ah-ha" moments that followed embarrassing mistakes that managed to be a useful learning opportunity (one that was ingrained in my mind, so as I did not make the same mistake twice, except for when my unreliable memory failed me).
What a relief to have successfully graduated and taken the NCLEX! I give it all to God because I know that I, myself, would have no way been able to make it through the past 4 years without Him and His magnificent grace and faithfulness. Looking back, I'm amazed at all that God has brought me through, and I feel that I have grown considerably (inward/deeper, upward/higher/closer to God, and outward/seeking more to life/engaging in fellowship and service to others), and all through God's perfect plan for me and His hands working in my life (within me) and through/beyond me.
How great is our God! I take every moment, whatever it brings, open to the opportunities to just be who God made me and do what He has given me a passion/calling for. Despite the ongoing turmoil and overwhelming struggles we face in life, I now have a reason to fight every battle with the faith, hope, love, and strength God empowers me with to persevere, souly/whole-heartedly trusting in Him and His plan, knowing that He is ultimately in control and truly all I need, more than enough for me and every other person, which I am assured of because He's got the whole world in His almighty hands. and choose to find the good in every situation, as well as my role in what God is doing, which is usually unseen or unknown to us at the time. break me down at times, while trusting in God's provision to build me up.
Welcome to My Life: Introduction to Who I Am & Prologue to My Life Story
Thank you for visiting my blog page! As I narrate my life story and various experiences of my life, I want to start by giving you an idea of the backbone/foundation of what you read, as I share my heart with you, allowing you to get to know who I am and see the real me. This evolving "composition" is just human means of holding/owning a make-shift diary/journal to record and reflect/meditate on life as it happens and as I experience it, as well as an open place to share my thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values, insights, etc., all because Christ as blessed me with the gift of life, which I want to experience to the absolute full. I hope to use this as an opportunity and outlet to share about myself and my life on a deeper and more personal level, as I navigate through the ups and downs of life, learning from my past, savoring every moment of every day (all the bits and pieces that become a part of who I am and define my life), and rejoicing upon what the Lord has done in/through me and the work He continues to do. Though it is quite simply a page composed of my own mumble-jumble of words, sometimes probably not even sensible, desirable, or worthy of being read, I want to share what the Lord is doing in my life and hope that it, my life, will ultimately be to His glory. As a follower of Christ and child of God, I seek Him first and proclaim His everlasting, redeeming love and faitfulness, something that I long to share with others because He has created us all, uniquely and with purpose, to fellowship with him eternally. It is by His divine grace that I am here, merely one being created in His image, in pursuit of finding my true identity in Him and living as he has called me. Though I am often anxious about what the future holds for me, I must choose to daily surrender to God's will and trust Him because I know He is in control and has a uniquely beautiful and intricate plan laid out for my life. It is Him to who I look to for ultimate/complete love, joy, peace, patience, etc., everything I long for, but cannot find in men or fulfill by the world's means. May the words the fill this page be a blessing to those who read it, but most importantly let these empty, selfish words of mine be filled with the Holy Spirit, spoken/delivered in God's truth, and carried out in the name of Christ.
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