Allllmossttt therrreee

Allllmossttt therrreee.

I know I go on and on about how fast time goes, how I can't believe it, but really I have to repeat... where did the time go?! I can't believe we are already in the first week of December, although it sure doesn't feel like it outside. I finished my final case study of the semester yesterday (yes!), a measly 30 pages, and now it's onto focusing on my final exam. Next Thursday is the test. It is cumulative and worth 30% of my final grade...scary! Not to mention how much material is on it. But, after a certain amount of time in nursing school, you know that somehow you will get through it.

Being 1 week away from a 2 week break forces you to reflect on the semester that is soon ending. Just like I did during the RN portion of the program, I look back on my first weeks as an NP student: nervous, insecure, overwhelmed. Now, I would describe myself as overwhelmed, confident, competent. I by no means know everything I need to know: that will take years and years of hard work, patient experience and inquiry. But, I do feel that I am just where I should be at this point, and that feels darn good.

I really see that things are starting to 'click' persay when I look back to my clinical day last Friday. If there are 3 things that I feel more insecure about clinically, it is diagnosing issues with lung sounds, ear issues and performing Pap smears. Lung sounds are incredibly subtle and sometimes difficult to detect, ear drums are incredibly hard to see in some patients, and I have had little hands on experience with women's health unfortunately, so I have only performed one Pap the entire semester. But last Friday, something magical happened...

-I diagnosed pneumonia

-I diagnosed a double ear infection

-I independently performed a Pap smear

Click. Click. Click. It was like a miracle! I felt so invigorated! It is days like last Friday that really keep me going. I say to several people I talk to, I so wish that this NP learning curve was linear: getting better and better each week. BUT, unfortunately as with all things in life, it isn't. Some days I'm on, other days I'm off, other days I'm WAY off. But, all you can do is keep your head up, keep faith in the process and move forward! But, I will hold onto last Friday as a reminder that although it may not feel like it some days, I AM moving actively towards my goal. Picturing myself in that office with that job, smiling and doing my work with pride is my final objective, and I know in my heart that one day that's where I will be.

But, until then, I will see you in Starbucks or Panera or the library slaving at the books. Feel free to say hi, and good luck on your finals. Until next time,

Rachel

 

Now tell me you can resist that face!