Pinning and Graduation

I'm back!!

Thank you to Caitlin at Caitlin Marie Design for the new blog design! I absolutely love it!

I will spare you all the details of my last two months of school and just get to the important stuff ... I am now a Graduate Nurse with a college degree!! I honestly cannot even believe I made it and I graduated, it is so surreal to think that I've been on this journey for 5 years now. Pinning and Graduation were two of the most important nights of my life, so I definitely wanted to share them with you.

Pinning was held on Thursday night, May 1st, 2014. The nursing pinning ceremony is bigger than graduation. My friends Tessa and Nicole and I spent the day together shopping for our outfits and having lunch. I went home at about 3:30 to get changed and Tessa picked me up around 5:00. People were basically placing bets on when I would lose it, since I'm emotional and I cry at EVERYTHING. I was actually doing well until I saw Paula. Paula is my friend who was formerly my OB instructor 1.5 years ago. Since then we have kept in touch and become friends. She has been my biggest supporter other than my family. I would text her before and after every single exam that I took during my last 3 semesters of school and she was always there with positivity, support, and most importantly -- confidence in me. She also helped me get the dream job that I have now and she is who I asked to pin me. Anyway, she was late, and everyone was lining up but I didn't want to go to the back until I found her because I had to give her my pin. So finally I saw her and I just ran over and gave her the biggest hug ... then I lost it. I was crying while standing in line to walk in, I was a mess. One of my instructors bought me a tube of waterproof mascara as a joke, and luckily it did the trick.

 Me trying to hold it together .. LOL.

 Paula pinning me :) 

 Two of my best friends throughout nursing school -- Tessa and Nicole.

 Paula, my shining light throughout this long journey. Love her so much!

Another of my biggest supporters -- my husband! <3

Graduation was held almost two weeks later. I remember being so excited for graduation just because I knew that it wouldn't be emotional for me the way pinning was so it was all about celebrating and having fun with my friends! Luckily it wasn't too hot outside so the 2 hour ceremony was bearable. I was so super excited to be a college graduate!! 

 My dad and me.

 Me and my mom.

 Celebrating with my girls!

 Me and my sister.

Best clinical group ever -- dubbed the Fab Five.

I have spent the past two weeks getting my GN permit finalized for work and I will be getting my full time schedule on Friday. I am also tutoring for two classes through my college this summer (CHA and OB), for some extra cash. And of course I have been studying for my NCLEX (state boards) like crazy. I take the test June 11th and I am so nervous. Please, everyone say a prayer for me that I pass!! I hope to catch up on all of your blogs soon!! Hope everyone is doing well :)