As of 11:00 PM/2300 last night, I am a Practical Nurse. I'm undecided if I'm licensed or not... I received a registration card from the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia which gives me the authority to practice as a licensed practical nurse... LPN or PN, I'm all done with school! Pop open the bubbly.
It was a long hall... Even though it was only 12 months long. 12 months without any breaks sans the winter break. I see why grade schools have summer breaks. by the time you make it to the summer, your brain is fully fried.
The time passed quickly though it seems like I've always been in school. It seems like just yesterday I got the call that a spot opened up for the class I had just recently added my name to for the waiting list. I had two weeks to get ready, which ended up perfect.
I carefully composed my two week notice letter for my boss and handed it in feeling guilty -- I had only been there for 5 months. Then was the subject of parking passes, text books, financing, daycare issues, and so forth. I was so excited to start school that I had everything dealt with by the next two days. Then was the longest wait of my life.
I sat in the classroom for the first month asking the dumbest questions since it had been 7 years since I had sat with a teacher in front of me. This time, I was completely enthralled in all that she was saying. Taking notes that would make little-to-no sense to anyone else. Highlighting full paragraphs in my text books... I definitely won't be able to resell these, but why would I? They are filled with information that I still find interesting.
I think I've invested my time very wisely... I have enjoyed all of my practicums and all of my preceptorship. I've learned life stories I wouldn't have otherwise. I've experienced pain second-hand while administering a PRN morphine subcutaneously. Been up to my elbows in someone else's poop without flinching. Changed pus-filled bandages. I enjoy every second of it without a second thought.
Odd how after the first or second time, poop just becomes another normal part of the job. I don't see changing a brief or helping with a post-toilet clean-up as any different than helping someone brush their hair.
I'm really going to miss rehab. I hope I can land a job on the unit eventually :)