You dream of range of motion exercises at night.... and wake up actually doing range of motion exercises!

Yup, that was me. Our first clinical skills check off was this week, and though this was the most basic of the skill check offs we will ever have, we were all a little nervous. I enjoyed a late study group the night before and fell into bed exhausted. As I frequently do the night before a test, I dreamed of the material I needed to know the next day and awoke in the middle of raising my arm over my head, 'exercising' my shoulder.

Yesterday was one of those days where very little went as planned. Originally on the schedule was Santa pictures in the morning, followed by a nap, Christmas crafts with the kids. Concluding the evening with a drive with my best friend and our children, sipping hot cocoa and looking at Christmas lights.

Instead, after doing Santa pictures with the kids I went in to check on the elderly family member we are caring for. I intended to get her all tucked in for a nap and then head in to lay down for awhile myself. When I got to her room, I found that she was not well. I knew right away that we were heading to the hospital, but called her home health care nurse anyway. She also wanted us to seek medical care. It was decided that she was feeling poorly enough that transporting her in one of our vehicles would be very uncomfortable, and possibly dangerous, so we called for an ambulance transport. And then I called to cancel our evening plans.

I have come to the point that I generally don't mention my pending nursing school, preferring instead to be a 'commoner', but my medical speak that is so second nature gave me away. The medics that came to transport us to the hospital took down my quick report and in the next quiet moment asked if I had medical training. We explained that we were both accepted into the nursing program, and that my husband had worked for this very ambulance company previously. They were thrilled that I had her current medications all laid out for them to easily copy down and we were ready to go in just a few short minutes.

I opted to ride with my father instead of in the ambulance and we followed them in. When the ambulance pulled to the side of the road with it's flashers on I watched for a moment and then let my worried father know that since the driver wasn't leaving the drivers seat to assist in the back it was likely that they were just pulled over while the medic placed an IV line. Better to place them while the rig is still if you have the luxury.

Thankfully, our hospital stay was short... she was discharged again 8 hours later. And, as we could not have given the required treatment at home, it was a necessary visit. I feel good about making the call to transport, we didn't waste their time with something that could have been handled elsewhere and we didn't wait too long and thus prolong her stay.

I was impressed with the level of compassion and care we received. It was obvious that there were many patients to be seen, and yet the time we spent with doctors, nurses and techs didn't feel rushed. The nurse was very surprised when I offered to glove up and help her get the patient cleaned up and ready to go home.

I couldn't help but feel caught in limbo while I was there. I've not yet received any nursing training so I'm not one of them... but I know more than the normal family member in the ER with a patient. Also, although it would seem like being with a patient in the hospital would be easy, I came home exhausted and with one of the worst headaches of my life. Just another experience to carry with me as I learn to be a compassionate nurse not just for my patients, but also for those with them.

Short story: I'm in! So is my hubby!

Long Story: We were told at the interview that we would be receiving word on Friday letting us know if we were accepted into the program or not. I set mind to going into the office around noon and learning my fate. Thursday after my math class I stopped into the biology department to check in with my boss. Not something I do every day, or even most days. I was shocked when she told me that the program receptionist had told her that one of the program advisers was making calls to notify people of their acceptance. I'm not kidding, the air left my lungs, my knees went a bit weak and I thought I might vomit. I think I managed to squeak, "But it's Thursday! I was supposed to have until Friday!" I headed out to my truck and tried to call Mike to let him know. No answer. I sent him a text instead. Next I called the caregiver at home with my grandma. Sometimes caregivers answer the house phone, sometimes they didn't. I wanted to know if she had taken a call from the school. Her answer left me with no further answers... there had been no calls. Oh no, that's bad. They didn't call.. I'm not in. But wait, they should have at least called for Mike, I'm sure he got in. Maybe they haven't gotten to us yet....

Usually I just head straight to the kids school and read for a few minutes until they are let out for the day. I deliberated between stopping in at home for 10 minutes or just sticking my head in the sand and going to the kids school as normal. At the last moment I decided to stop in to the house. It couldn't hurt anything.

I was chatting with the caregiver telling her what little information I had when the phone rang. I'm sure from the outside it was a funny picture. I almost answered the phone and then backed away saying, maybe I'll just let voice mail get it and call back later... or go in tomorrow. The caregiver pushed past me and picked up the phone. It was someone from the nursing department for me. Of course it was.

It sounds totally cheesy, but it was one of those moments where I was painfully aware that my life was on the pivot point, and in a few seconds nothing would be the same. I took the phone. "Crystal?" "Yes, this is Crystal." "Oh good, I almost thought you weren't there. I wanted to congratulate you on making it into the nursing program!" There was lots more blah blah blah from her end, there will be a formal letter sent and some other paperwork to fill out. But, at that moment all I could hear was blood rushing past my eardrums. I thanked her and hung up the phone. I made it! I simultaneously wanted to burst out of my skin in excitement and was scared to death.

On a much shorter note... the tutoring center where Mike works does not receive good cell signal. On his way home he found a voice mail telling him to call the nursing department at his earliest convenience. They had, of course, gone home by the time he heard his messages and he was forced to wait until Friday to hear his news.

I can't believe we were both accepted to our first choice school the first time we applied! We are the first husband/wife team to go through this program.

My fellow applicant that I took under my wing at the interview was also accepted! Mike and I are planning to set up a study group that meets regularly... possibly at our house. Our living room is big enough that we could cram all 30 students in our class in here to study together.