Here's my best shot at filling everyone in with an overview of what's been going on as of late:
[1] On 7/7, I took the NC State Nursing Boards, also known as NCLEX!! I told myself I was ready... that I would be just fine... After all, I did graduate from Nursing school and had been reviewing for over a month! There was an emmense amount of pressure for me to pass- for reasons that I will get into another day... It was challenging to not become overwhelmed with worry, anxiety, and negative "what if" thoughts. I was nervous- and those nerves were not going to go away- but I turned the focus of my prayers towards peace, resting in the security that God provides, and trusting in His incredible power to create something from (what seems to be) nothing.
For those who do not know, the NCLEX is a CAT (Computer Adaptive Test) meaning it selects each question from a "database" so to speak based on how you answered the previous question. If you get an easy ? right, it will progress to a more difficult ?, but if you miss an easy ?, you'll continue to get easy ones. After question #75, if the computer is something like 95% sure you have either "passed" or "failed" (which I'm still not sure exactly how this is determined), it will cut off. Otherwise, the test could keep going up to 265 questions! Maximum time alloted is 6 hours. "Lord, please do not make me sit in front of that computer screen for SIX HOURS!!"
My #75 asked the purpose of a particular medication, one that reduces the production of uric acid in the body. The answer was clear to me! There were very few that I knew I knew the answers to; this was one of them!! During my preceptorship, a newly diagnosed cancer patient's family asked me the names & reasons for each medication I was administering to their loved one. I mistakenly confused one of her meds with a beta-blocker because of a similar ending (-ol vs. -lol)... Anyway, as soon as the words came out of my mouth, I second guessed myself- for good reason! Back at the nurses desk, I grabbed a drug guide and looked it up; it was not a beta-blocker (used for blood pressure/heart rate) but in fact to prevent the build-up of uric acid (which can be a result of certain cancer meds). Big oops! I could not leave this poor family with incorrect information so I put my pride aside and returned to the pt's room and explained my mistake. I will always remember that drug! I paused before clicking to move forward to #76. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7. Here goes nothin'!
...(blue screen)... "Congratulations! You have completed the NCLEX-RN, blah, blah"... Now wait 48 agonizing hours for your results! Cruelty. My test stopped at 75. That either meant I passed or I failed miserably. The computer was sure one way or another.
[2] On July 9th, I woke up at 0600. Sleeping was just not an option at that point. My results came in around 0920........... My dear hubby checked for them while I waited in the hallway. "Pass". Pass? PASS! PASS!!!!!! LAUREN WHITAKER, RN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PRAISE GOD!!! Perry & I FREAKED OUT!!! Everything in our office probably rattled from us jumping up & down :) I can personally testify that if give up your plans to God, you will succeed. About a week later I received confirmation that I was officially licensed.
[3] My two nieces (Perry's sister Cassy's girls) stayed with my in-laws for a weekend. They live outside of Charlotte so unfortunately we don't get to see them as often as we would like. What a joy they are!
Emily's close-up!
3 weeks early, Happy Birthday to Lauren! The wait staff sang and brought a sundae!
[4] I started my job on Monday!!! We've been in orientation all week. I look forward to being up on my unit soon. There are no words to express how fortunate I feel to have this position in such a highly reputable hospital with the power to heal & a passion for care!
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