Returning Soon!

I've been a complete FAIL as a blogger for most of this year. This ends now!

My friend Caitlin, from Letters and Lattes is so amazingly sweet and revamping my blog layout, so stay tuned for the new look!

 Since we just passed the halfway point of 2013, I decided to go over some of my goals for 2013 that I have accomplished already this year, as well as make some adjustments to my goals for the rest of the year based on happenings in the first half of 2013.

1. Volunteer at HALO

I did not end up volunteering with this organization. I wanted to originally because of my community service hours needed for NSLS. However, I actually ended up doing something that was much more rewarding for me - I tutored some 1st semester nursing students for their Pharmacology midterm and final. I was scared to death when my former instructor, Paula, asked me, but I'd honestly do anything for her and it ended up being a wonderful experience!! I would actually consider teaching someday far in the future, after I've worked as an RN for a long time.

2. Spend as much time with my parents and grandparents as possible.

I think I've done pretty good with this. I see my mom everyday and my dad and stepmom as much as I can. I also see my grandparents about once a week. I'm so thankful for my wonderful family.

3. Go to the gym at least 4 times a week.

I was great about this up until about May, when finals rolled around. Now we have a dog (more later), so I walk him about 3-4 times a day so I still get exercise, just not at the gym. I have also started using myFitnessPal to eat healthier and keep track of what I eat daily. I have lost 7 pounds in the 3 weeks since I've begun using it!

4. Pass the NCLEX-PN exam this summer. 

I decided not to take the NCLEX-PN because of the fact that I'm taking summer classes and that I'm going full time for 3rd and 4th semester.

5. Graduate and get a job as an LPN SNI by the end of the summer.

The fact that my stole is crooked drives me nuts, LOL.

I graduated as an LPN on May 14th, 2013. I applied for a job as an SNI (Student Nurse Intern) at the beginning of May. I had my first interview on May 13, and then my second interview this past Tuesday. Yesterday I got the official news that I got the job! I'm so excited about this. A SNI is like a CNA but they have additional learning opportunities on procedures and also are allowed to do skills if they have performed them in clinicals. It also works perfectly because they have an option where you can work only 32 hours a month. Since I'm going to school this summer and full time classes in fall and spring, I won't have a lot of time to be working, so 8 hours a week is perfect. My orientation is on June 17. I'm so grateful because I really want to get some nursing experience in before graduation, I really think that will help me in looking for a job.

6. Pass every clinical class in 2013.

So far, so good! Passed both of my spring semester classes, and my summer classes are going great so far. Then I have 4 more classes to pass in the fall. I know that I can do it! Hard work pays off!

Other accomplishments/happenings so far this year ...

Leaving my job at Olive Garden

This was a long time coming and it has been on my list of goals for a few years. I had a great chapter of my life there, and I miss my co-workers like crazy, but I am glad that everyone there understood that it was just time for me to move on to bigger things in my life.

Induction into the National Society of Leadership and Success

I began working towards my induction in August of 2012. I enjoyed everything that we did leading up to my induction, I learned so much and am so happy that I made time for this in my busy schedule.

We got a dog!

This is our dog Beau. He is a 6 and a half year old Bichon Frise. We got him from a friend of our neighbors. My dad and stepmom have owned 2 Bichons, I've grown up with them since I was 12 years old, and I love these kind of dogs. We love him so much!

Here are a few goals for myself for the remainder of 2013:

1. Work as hard as I can at my new job to learn everything possible.

2. Pass CHA this summer and all of my fall classes.

3. Continue to eat healthy, exercise, and lose more weight.

4. Keep up with both my personal and gymnastics blogs.

Hope everyone is having a great summer! Look for a new post and blog design soon!