Work, Advice, and Whatnot
I found out last week that I will be going on resource next month. Basically that means that I am on my own, but I have a specific person to whom I can use as a "resource". I'm kind of nervous, but at the same time completely excited because this is what I've been working for these past 7 months. Woo hoo! I know I'm ready, I feel ready, but at the same time, I'm still scared to be free of the leash I've had on for all this time.
On another note, I was just thinking today that at this time last year I was getting ready for my final semester at Lourdes. Hard to believe I've been out of school this long already. I still feel like I'm supposed to be writing down my clinical experiences to be handed in to my instructors (which I miss you all, by the way!) or that there's going to be a test or something like that. But I digress...
As usual, I'd like to offer a little advice to those of you who are going to be finished with your nursing degree this December.
First things first--it's never too early to start looking for a job. I applied to the Toledo Hospital in April, a full six months before I was finished with school. I handed in my resume at St. V's in September. I had a job lined up by November. You all know where I chose to work. Give yourself time to really think about the area you want to go into and what kind of hospital you want to work for. Do you want to work in a big, level I trauma hospital or does the appeal of a small, county hospital seem like a good setting? If you're into ICU, naturally I am going to suggest TTH for the simple fact that it is such a well-rounded program and I am not afraid to float because I've been to each area, including cardiac and neuro.
Ok, so now you've got the whole job thing situated, or not, depending on what type of person you are. Second thing, don't fall prey to senioritis. It's a nasty little bug that creeps up on you about mid-semester. You know you've got it when you don't even care what grades you get anymore, you just want to get your assignments done. Wrong attitude. This is the last hurrah. Push yourself because just scraping by is going to lower that GPA of yours and possibly hinder any chance of getting into graduate school (should your little heart desire that). Keep up on your work, don't procrastinate.
Your final semester will kick you hard in the keester. You will be exhausted, you will be emotional, you will be everyone's worst nightmare. Say adios to your social life. Nothing I say can even compare to what you will actually experience. It's a roller coaster. But once you're finished, it's all good.
Next, prepare to be spending mucho time in the WIN Center or library. If you don't know anyone there, you will by December. And you'll know their life stories. And they'll be your surrogate family. Kelly will be your mother and Kevin will be your brother/best friend. Seriously. And don't be afraid to use Kelly as your go to person for APA formatting. She's a great resource. Book group rooms early because they tend to go fast. You will be using these rooms for your Management project. Trust me. I practically slept there.
Keep your heads up. This semester has the potential to be the best and worst or both. Don't let the bad times get you down. More than ever you will rely on your classmates for support--including emotional support. There will be laughter, there will be tears. You can't get through this on your own.
For a better idea of what my final semester at Lourdes was like, go to the "Students" category and click on "Kimberly". Feel free to leave comments!
Best of luck and I hope to see some of you here at the hospital!
Alumni | Kimberly
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 5:38:23 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)  |
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