All of my readers probably have found out already - either my Ma called you, I called you, or Facebook told you - but I am officially an RN in the State of Minnesota!!!
Hooray!!!
It still hasn't quite hit me yet, I mean it's HUGE and exciting, but I still feel like the same little smart alec in Dr. Slusser's classes. And by smart alec, I clearly mean number ONE student! :-)
This week has been pretty insane. On Sunday, the campers got here, which was pandemonium as usual. We got through camper check-in pretty smoothly, though, and were able to make it to Monday. For those of you who followed my blog last year, you remember what crazy things happened last year on the first day of camp - so in comparison, this year was pretty much a vacation!
Monday evening I left camp to stay with Ted before I took my test. We ate dinner and then relaxed - I was able to go to bed nice and early, and then wake up for my exam at 2pm. I was super nervous - the facility is pretty intense. You go in, they take your picture, and they scan your fingerprint through every door you go through. You have to have a person escort you everywhere, which kind of freaks you out when you get in there. I sat for the exam, and I honestly can't remember anything that happened from the point that I sat down until I left! I was so traumatized! Anyway, 75 questions and 50 minutes after I sat down, I was finished. All of a sudden, it shut down on the 75th question - I had forgotten to anticipate that, so I was totally freaked out when it happened.
When you leave the exam, you kind of have no clue what just happened to you. You walk out somewhat shell-shocked. I was ready to kick back, have dinner, then head back to camp, which I did. I was nervous to find out my results!
On Thursday, I found out my results at the exact same time that I had begun my exam. I realized that the results were up and I cleared everyone out of my office. When I saw I had passed, I just screamed! It was great - like a tremendous weight being lifted off of my shoulders!
It still kind of hasn't hit me that I can start signing my name E. Santo, RN. I got my license and number in the mail and online, and so now it's official! It's been a long road, but I couldn't be more proud at this point!
So exciting!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Busy, busy, busy!
Well, that pretty much sums it up!
So it's been almost a MONTH since I've updated - and believe me, I've been meaning to, I just haven't even had one minute to sit down and type!
Since last month, I've experienced a ton of changes in my life. My last real week of college, then finals, and then going back to home in New York. THEN, realizing I'd passed all of my finals, and I would be GRADUATING! Hard to believe how fast 4 years flew...
Graduation was, well, interesting. I guess. I mean, it's hard to fully appreciate graduation after such a moving pinning ceremony. However, I decided I would indeed attend my graduation and after picking up Ted at the airport on Friday night, we drove down on Saturday morning to the ceremony. The ceremony itself was very short, and they called each student's name to get their actual diploma. Afterwards, the nursing girls knew it was the last time they'd see me for a very, very long time; we had a somewhat emotional goodbye, but I had to get back to NY for my graduation party. Kind of a good thing, because I think I would have gotten sadder and more emotional if I had the time to extend my goodbyes to everyone.
When I got back, my Aunt Kay was preparing all the food for my party, and some people were already there. People started coming, and pretty soon there were a few dozen people there! It was so great to see everyone - I saw some family that I hadn't seen in a really long time, and some friends came from long distances to wish me good luck. I feel really blessed to have such a huge amount of support from family and friends - thanks to all who celebrated with me!
On Sunday, Ted and I began the journey out to the Midwest, stopping only to get to the Bronx to see the Yankees shellac the Twins (sorry Ted). We stayed overnight at my sister's place before beginning our trek out west the following morning. We made it to just outside of Columbus, OH as dark set in. The drive was long, about 9-ish hours; on the way, we were mostly driving in Pennsylvania, where we went through a few mountains. That was pretty cool - it's neat to think of all the blasting and digging that had to happen before the tunnel was made, where an entire mountain would be sitting on TOP of you! Incredible! We also saw a horse-drawn plough, which was really nuts - there was a guy sitting on top of the plough with a whip, coaxing these horses through the fields. I've never really seen Amish villages or anything like that before, so it was definitely a cool cultural experience.
The following day, we made it to Cincinatti to watch the Reds play the Phillies. The Phillies (obviously) won the game. When we went to get tickets, the guy at the booth asked us if we had college IDs, so we got our tickets at almost HALF price! I guess it pays off to keep that old college ID handy, huh? I'll be 88 years old trying to pass myself off as a 22 year old. People in my family age with grace, so we'll see... Anyway, the one thing I thought was interesting about Great American Ball Park was the fans; they were, quite honestly, the most boring fans I'd even interacted with in my life! The music at the stadium was quiet, the fans golf-clapped, and cheering was completely out-of-place. I've never seen such mild-mannered fans before! The Phillies won, which was good for me because I knew all the players on the team, so I could cheer for them. Ted won me a Cincinatti Red's shirt, though, so I was a very confused fan!
The following day, we made it to Busch Field in St. Louis, MO. We got to the stadium after seeing the arch on the drive there, and then got tickets. Apparently, they were having a special at this particular game where you could buy two tickets for $11.00! The only catch was that you didn't know where you'd be sitting until you walked through the doors - the ticket taker gave you an envelope with 2 mystery tickets in it, which could be seats for anywhere in the stadium. The next cheapest tickets were $35 apiece, and they were standing room only, so we really couldn't lose. When we got our envelope, we had tickets for the 3rd baseline, right on the 2nd level! They were awesome seats with a perfect view, and we sat with a really great crowd of people and met some interesting friends. Busch Stadium is incredible! The layout of the stadium is awesome, and the fans are so nice and friendly and excited about baseball. They apparently call St. Louis "Baseball Heaven," and I can definitely see why. The architecture of the stadium is absolutely beautiful. Just a great evening!
Before we hit the game, we got to go to the St. Louis Arch, which was SO TALL!!! You got dizzy and almost fell over when you were underneath looking up at it. I just don't know how it stays standing, it's an architectural marvel!
The following day, we were supposed to head to Chicago and see the White Sox vs. the Twins for Ted's birthday. We didn't make it to the game, and decided to head back up to MN. By Thursday, we were just exhausted! We celebrated Ted's birthday by having a relaxing evening after about 9 hours of driving!
Friday morning, I got to camp and opened up the Health Center and my new office. It was an absolute mess! There apparently is a mouse living somewhere in here, as evidenced by, well, I'll let your imagination figure it out. It was so gross!!!
Anyway, I spent from 9am-5pm on Friday just straightening some things up, then Ted met me back at camp and helped me move my things into the Health Center. After that, we drove 3 hours out to his lake cabin. Since the pontoon boat and the speed boat out there needed to get dropped into the water, we spent all day on Saturday cleaning them out and preparing things for the summer at his house. It was a blast - we cleaned, listened to music, and then spent Sunday enjoying the water and the beautiful weather! I have to say, this past weekend was just what the doctor ordered!!! Some of his friends came to visit, so it was nice to see them after a long time. I got severely sunburned, but hopefully it'll turn into a tan and I'll have a nice base for summer!
This past week has been, quite honestly, a big disappointment. I can already tell that I am going to meet a tremendous amount of challenges with my supervisor. The staff that I am blessed to be working with is extremely competent and enthusiastic, however my director does not seem to be endowed with similar characteristics. It is unfortunate, because I already know that I am going to meet a lot of challenges with her this summer, but at the same time I am VERY glad to have made this realization this early in the summer and am not set up for personal failure. I will have to take each day one at a time, and maintain professionalism through communication. This, I believe, will be the only way to work well with her.
Right now, I am sitting in MY brand new office, which I have rearranged and (hopefully) exterminated any previous residents! There are a lot of things to be done, lots of filing and even more cleaning to do. I have to set up my printer and distribute radios today. This evening, we will be having a Coke/Root Beer Float social, which will be fun - we're inviting the other staff to relax with us after a very trying week!
To my readers: keep in touch! I hope to hear from everyone soon!
Lots of LOVE to everyone the East Coast!
So it's been almost a MONTH since I've updated - and believe me, I've been meaning to, I just haven't even had one minute to sit down and type!
Since last month, I've experienced a ton of changes in my life. My last real week of college, then finals, and then going back to home in New York. THEN, realizing I'd passed all of my finals, and I would be GRADUATING! Hard to believe how fast 4 years flew...
Graduation was, well, interesting. I guess. I mean, it's hard to fully appreciate graduation after such a moving pinning ceremony. However, I decided I would indeed attend my graduation and after picking up Ted at the airport on Friday night, we drove down on Saturday morning to the ceremony. The ceremony itself was very short, and they called each student's name to get their actual diploma. Afterwards, the nursing girls knew it was the last time they'd see me for a very, very long time; we had a somewhat emotional goodbye, but I had to get back to NY for my graduation party. Kind of a good thing, because I think I would have gotten sadder and more emotional if I had the time to extend my goodbyes to everyone.
When I got back, my Aunt Kay was preparing all the food for my party, and some people were already there. People started coming, and pretty soon there were a few dozen people there! It was so great to see everyone - I saw some family that I hadn't seen in a really long time, and some friends came from long distances to wish me good luck. I feel really blessed to have such a huge amount of support from family and friends - thanks to all who celebrated with me!
On Sunday, Ted and I began the journey out to the Midwest, stopping only to get to the Bronx to see the Yankees shellac the Twins (sorry Ted). We stayed overnight at my sister's place before beginning our trek out west the following morning. We made it to just outside of Columbus, OH as dark set in. The drive was long, about 9-ish hours; on the way, we were mostly driving in Pennsylvania, where we went through a few mountains. That was pretty cool - it's neat to think of all the blasting and digging that had to happen before the tunnel was made, where an entire mountain would be sitting on TOP of you! Incredible! We also saw a horse-drawn plough, which was really nuts - there was a guy sitting on top of the plough with a whip, coaxing these horses through the fields. I've never really seen Amish villages or anything like that before, so it was definitely a cool cultural experience.
The following day, we made it to Cincinatti to watch the Reds play the Phillies. The Phillies (obviously) won the game. When we went to get tickets, the guy at the booth asked us if we had college IDs, so we got our tickets at almost HALF price! I guess it pays off to keep that old college ID handy, huh? I'll be 88 years old trying to pass myself off as a 22 year old. People in my family age with grace, so we'll see... Anyway, the one thing I thought was interesting about Great American Ball Park was the fans; they were, quite honestly, the most boring fans I'd even interacted with in my life! The music at the stadium was quiet, the fans golf-clapped, and cheering was completely out-of-place. I've never seen such mild-mannered fans before! The Phillies won, which was good for me because I knew all the players on the team, so I could cheer for them. Ted won me a Cincinatti Red's shirt, though, so I was a very confused fan!
The following day, we made it to Busch Field in St. Louis, MO. We got to the stadium after seeing the arch on the drive there, and then got tickets. Apparently, they were having a special at this particular game where you could buy two tickets for $11.00! The only catch was that you didn't know where you'd be sitting until you walked through the doors - the ticket taker gave you an envelope with 2 mystery tickets in it, which could be seats for anywhere in the stadium. The next cheapest tickets were $35 apiece, and they were standing room only, so we really couldn't lose. When we got our envelope, we had tickets for the 3rd baseline, right on the 2nd level! They were awesome seats with a perfect view, and we sat with a really great crowd of people and met some interesting friends. Busch Stadium is incredible! The layout of the stadium is awesome, and the fans are so nice and friendly and excited about baseball. They apparently call St. Louis "Baseball Heaven," and I can definitely see why. The architecture of the stadium is absolutely beautiful. Just a great evening!
Before we hit the game, we got to go to the St. Louis Arch, which was SO TALL!!! You got dizzy and almost fell over when you were underneath looking up at it. I just don't know how it stays standing, it's an architectural marvel!
The following day, we were supposed to head to Chicago and see the White Sox vs. the Twins for Ted's birthday. We didn't make it to the game, and decided to head back up to MN. By Thursday, we were just exhausted! We celebrated Ted's birthday by having a relaxing evening after about 9 hours of driving!
Friday morning, I got to camp and opened up the Health Center and my new office. It was an absolute mess! There apparently is a mouse living somewhere in here, as evidenced by, well, I'll let your imagination figure it out. It was so gross!!!
Anyway, I spent from 9am-5pm on Friday just straightening some things up, then Ted met me back at camp and helped me move my things into the Health Center. After that, we drove 3 hours out to his lake cabin. Since the pontoon boat and the speed boat out there needed to get dropped into the water, we spent all day on Saturday cleaning them out and preparing things for the summer at his house. It was a blast - we cleaned, listened to music, and then spent Sunday enjoying the water and the beautiful weather! I have to say, this past weekend was just what the doctor ordered!!! Some of his friends came to visit, so it was nice to see them after a long time. I got severely sunburned, but hopefully it'll turn into a tan and I'll have a nice base for summer!
This past week has been, quite honestly, a big disappointment. I can already tell that I am going to meet a tremendous amount of challenges with my supervisor. The staff that I am blessed to be working with is extremely competent and enthusiastic, however my director does not seem to be endowed with similar characteristics. It is unfortunate, because I already know that I am going to meet a lot of challenges with her this summer, but at the same time I am VERY glad to have made this realization this early in the summer and am not set up for personal failure. I will have to take each day one at a time, and maintain professionalism through communication. This, I believe, will be the only way to work well with her.
Right now, I am sitting in MY brand new office, which I have rearranged and (hopefully) exterminated any previous residents! There are a lot of things to be done, lots of filing and even more cleaning to do. I have to set up my printer and distribute radios today. This evening, we will be having a Coke/Root Beer Float social, which will be fun - we're inviting the other staff to relax with us after a very trying week!
To my readers: keep in touch! I hope to hear from everyone soon!
Lots of LOVE to everyone the East Coast!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
A few pictures from Formal...
I'm standing on a manhole in this picture, so I look like a giant.
Ted and I are riding a roller coaster!
The lovely ladies that I live with!
My handsome date and I!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Winding down the last week
So this is my final week as a college kid! That sounds really strange to finally say it, and almost unreal. I haven't even started packing my things up yet, which I should probably start to think about. However, one thing is kind of getting in the way of my productivity. I have a major problem with my foot, and I can't stand on it at all. Suffice to say that I've been hobbling around trying to make it to class and spending the rest of the time sitting with my foot elevated. I guess this is probably perfect studying time for NCLEX, huh?
Well, all that aside, it's been a great week. Ted flew in on Thursday evening and hung out here for Formal on Friday. It was a blast! I danced the whole night, got stepped on a few times, had a great time... What a night! The following day was my last Kaplan class, so I left Ted to his own devices and spent the last couple of Kaplan hours wishing I could go outside in the sun. Boy, was it hot! We went out to dinner that night and then everyone ended up at the heights. There were a few parties going on; someone even thought to put a baby pool in the back. It was so much fun - even after I badly injured my foot while throwing a football.
Sunday I took Ted up to the Village, where we went to this fantastic little restaurant on Bleecker called The Risotteria. They specialize in Gluten-Free food; the pizza there, however, tastes like really awesome regular pizza, and the fact that it is Gluten-Free just makes it 100x better. Totally awesome. We drove up the West Side Highway as dusk settled in - I think the sights on the West Side are my favorite - passing Chelsea Piers, then the Intrepid, the city on Sunday had just erupted with activity. I think every human being was outside on Sunday. Spent the afternoon with my family, had a great dinner, and took a beautiful walk downtown and showed Ted the other Village - Montgomery.
So anyway, Formal's over and now I just have a few final things to do before I say sayonara to DeSales. I'm going to miss it, I know, and I intend to enjoy my last couple of days here. It seriously flew, but I'm still ready to get out of here!
Now I just have my ATI Test tomorrow and my Examen Final de Espanol, which is on Tuesday. I've got the PACE party on Monday evening also - an evening at Doc's vineyard is always fun. Oh, let's not forget Senior Night at the Tally Ho Pub this Thursday!
Countdown to Graduation: 17 days!!!
Well, all that aside, it's been a great week. Ted flew in on Thursday evening and hung out here for Formal on Friday. It was a blast! I danced the whole night, got stepped on a few times, had a great time... What a night! The following day was my last Kaplan class, so I left Ted to his own devices and spent the last couple of Kaplan hours wishing I could go outside in the sun. Boy, was it hot! We went out to dinner that night and then everyone ended up at the heights. There were a few parties going on; someone even thought to put a baby pool in the back. It was so much fun - even after I badly injured my foot while throwing a football.
Sunday I took Ted up to the Village, where we went to this fantastic little restaurant on Bleecker called The Risotteria. They specialize in Gluten-Free food; the pizza there, however, tastes like really awesome regular pizza, and the fact that it is Gluten-Free just makes it 100x better. Totally awesome. We drove up the West Side Highway as dusk settled in - I think the sights on the West Side are my favorite - passing Chelsea Piers, then the Intrepid, the city on Sunday had just erupted with activity. I think every human being was outside on Sunday. Spent the afternoon with my family, had a great dinner, and took a beautiful walk downtown and showed Ted the other Village - Montgomery.
So anyway, Formal's over and now I just have a few final things to do before I say sayonara to DeSales. I'm going to miss it, I know, and I intend to enjoy my last couple of days here. It seriously flew, but I'm still ready to get out of here!
Now I just have my ATI Test tomorrow and my Examen Final de Espanol, which is on Tuesday. I've got the PACE party on Monday evening also - an evening at Doc's vineyard is always fun. Oh, let's not forget Senior Night at the Tally Ho Pub this Thursday!
Countdown to Graduation: 17 days!!!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
New Blog!
Hi everyone!
Since my blog of last summer's experiences was so popular, I decided to do it again this year. However, I'm going to start writing a little bit earlier this year so that I can take you through graduation, RN boards, and all of the fun things that come at the end of my senior year in nursing school.
You'll notice that my URL has changed from liketheletter.blogspot.com to ellesanto.blogspot.com . The entries from last year are still there, but I decided to start fresh for this year on a new page.
So here goes!
Pinning was on Sunday, and it was an absolutely beautiful event! I have to say, in terms of great days, my nurse's pinning ranks on the top 10 best days of my life. Up there with my siblings' weddings, births of my nephews and neices, and the last day of my Senior year in high school. For more information about the nurse's pin, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nursing_pin . My entire immediate family was able to make the trip down to PA to watch my ceremony! All of the nurses that I've spoken with since all said, "Oh, I remember my pinning ceremony, even though it was 30, 40, 50 years ago!" I can definitely say that Sunday was unforgettable. I told everyone - I got the chills when they had all of the nurses in the audience to stand and renew their nurse pledge alongside of us. It was so incredible to be standing side-by-side with veteran nurses, committing yourself to the same service that they had been doing for years. Just a great day!
Thank you to my sister for pinning me - to say it was an honor is putting it very lightly.
I got my cap and gown yesterday - with an Apricot hood for BSN - and graduation seems a little bit more real! I'm so excited to be finished, getting my mortarboard just makes me even more so.
Well, stay tuned for my upcoming adventures, which will include my drive out to Minnesota, graduation, nursing boards, and of course, Camp Friendship!
Since my blog of last summer's experiences was so popular, I decided to do it again this year. However, I'm going to start writing a little bit earlier this year so that I can take you through graduation, RN boards, and all of the fun things that come at the end of my senior year in nursing school.
You'll notice that my URL has changed from liketheletter.blogspot.com to ellesanto.blogspot.com . The entries from last year are still there, but I decided to start fresh for this year on a new page.
So here goes!
Pinning was on Sunday, and it was an absolutely beautiful event! I have to say, in terms of great days, my nurse's pinning ranks on the top 10 best days of my life. Up there with my siblings' weddings, births of my nephews and neices, and the last day of my Senior year in high school. For more information about the nurse's pin, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nursing_pin . My entire immediate family was able to make the trip down to PA to watch my ceremony! All of the nurses that I've spoken with since all said, "Oh, I remember my pinning ceremony, even though it was 30, 40, 50 years ago!" I can definitely say that Sunday was unforgettable. I told everyone - I got the chills when they had all of the nurses in the audience to stand and renew their nurse pledge alongside of us. It was so incredible to be standing side-by-side with veteran nurses, committing yourself to the same service that they had been doing for years. Just a great day!
Thank you to my sister for pinning me - to say it was an honor is putting it very lightly.
I got my cap and gown yesterday - with an Apricot hood for BSN - and graduation seems a little bit more real! I'm so excited to be finished, getting my mortarboard just makes me even more so.
Well, stay tuned for my upcoming adventures, which will include my drive out to Minnesota, graduation, nursing boards, and of course, Camp Friendship!
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