Happy Birthday to him– happy board exam to me!

Sleep was not happening today. Not the greatest of things since it’s my Phlebotomy board exam.

Somehow, I’m still calm. I hope it stays that way!! I think I’ve talked myself into believing that I just know this stuff. And what I don’t know is okay too, it’s part of life. But I do know I have the skills to do the job in the real world. Which since I’m about to start nursing in 26 days, is kind of important.

Also? It’s Kurt’s Birthday!!! (And until June 4th next year, we’re the same age!!) So I’m sending him happy birthday thoughts even as I’m getting ready to go take this exam! I wish I could be spending today with him but thankfully he understands why I’m away.

Before I forget

Driving home yesterday I was all pumped up about writing. Maybe it wouldn’t be stuff I could post on the blog but heck,I was going to do some writing because the weekend had been awesome.

Instead? I slept.

I’m trying to catch up on my Google Reader, it was over 100 when I started today, now it’s telling me I’ve got nothing unread.

Today I need to be reviewing for my Phlebotomy Exam. I should’ve done this at least 6mo ago but with 27 days left before VN begins, I’m just happy to be finishing. After the exam I’m not sure how long before I’ll know if I passed or not– if I pass it’s onto getting my paperwork through the state.

Things that happened this weekend (that I want to write about so I dont forget):

• The Surprise Birthday Party
• Stargazing & Sprinklers
• Realizing just how lucky I am to have such an amazing boyfriend.

Apologies

I’m sorry this blog doesn’t follow the blog rules. I will one day move into “grownup” blogging but for now, it’s just life, my life, my journey. Sometimes I do review movies, products, and other things…. mostly it’s just me!

Anyhow I just wanted to give an update of sorts:

Laptop is back in the shop and is due to arrive home Friday. Waiting for a date to take my phlebotomy exam to be board certified. Got my shots for nursing school today, 3 vaccines, a TB test injection, and a blood draw. So I hurt in a major way. Belle is still cute as can be, Kurt and I are doing well, long distance and all…

So if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to sleep away the side effects of my morning.

Certified Vampire

It took me over 2 years to get a copy of my CNA License from the State of California. 2 years.

Now as my Phlebotomy training is coming to a close, my headache with licensing is starting all over. I will need to take The Exam to become a Nationally Certified Phlebotomy Technician and then I have to send in everything to the state…. and then hope and pray that it doesn’t take 2 years to get this license.

I can get a cool vampire–er– Phlebotomist patch like this one when this is all done! The other really exciting news: I’m starting my Externship in a Lab on Monday!! Yay! So once my hours are all marked off, I can send it all in, get my certification of completion, and then all of the paperwork begins!

I am a little sad I can’t share my adventures in my medical side of life, but since I’ve given my name and shown my face I can’t really be an anonymous vampire or nurse. I am going to collect all my stories and I hope eventually start a new blog. There will be some general stuff and stuff I can share without releasing details about patients etc etc etc.

*CNA- Certified Nursing Assistant

So much happening… but not much blogging

I must really be getting old.
For one, I am thrilled to be going back to school full time. I’m so excited to become a nurse and to take this big step towards my future.
Another thing? I may actually be able to get REALY HEALTH INSURANCE BACK!!! This is way more exciting than many people in college can imagine… until they’re kicked to the curb and forced to find health insurance that won’t break that fairly non existent bank. Why do I feel old? Because the cost of school is overwhelming to me, and the happiness of health insurance– I pretty much can’t explain.

So yes, nursing school is really happening! WOOHOO! But there is another medical license I’m still finishing: Phlebotomy! My blood work and immunizations are all worked out now, so I am good to go for my externship (it’s like an internship at a lab facility) which will happen in a couple weeks, and then I have to apply to take the NCCT (National Center for Competency Testing) to become a National Certified Phlebotomy Technician, take the exams and poof! I’m a Phlebotomist, a CNA, and a Nursing Student!

Animal Update: Gustave is still a grumpy little fin flaring beta fish and Belle is still a beautiful Papillon. Belle’s back has been fine for several months now, so I’m hoping the doggie sciatica is under control.

Graduation

My final in Phlebotomy is Saturday! Super excited to graduate from the program! I still have my externship and national exam, but I’ll be all done with the class! So excited!

image from: castleuniforms.com

Pictures from today

16 gauge needle vs 21*

Kurt sent this to me...

Belle seems semi hidden in this picture to me... maybe it's just me?

Leaves!

Cozy Fire

Pretty pretty fire! I'm so thankful I can make a fire for warmth. It's wonderfully comforting.

I’m full of holes!

Well my last post talked about how nervous I was for my first day of vein puncture blood draws. That was yesterday and despite my lack of sleep, panic attacks, and extreme case of nerves… IT WAS AWESOME!!! I went first because I knew my nerves wouldn’t go away and waiting around would just make things worse. One of my classmates volunteered to be my patient and the awesome instructor helped me through the procedure and, I even got blood! (And didn’t stick myself or anyone else- aside from the one I was sticking!)

So a HUGE thank you to Kurt, Amber, Diana, and my family for their votes of confidence!

I’m feeling a bit better than I was last night, my right arm has mostly healed up, my left has some swollen unhappy veins. But I am feeling better about Phlebotomy after yesterday. I even felt myself getting int some amount of rhythm with the procedure!

It’s onto more studying for this week!

Nerves of Jello

I begin my Phlebotomy class on Saturday. Already I’m having fears of being unable to put the needle under someone’s skin, find a vein, and draw blood. Not to mention all the codes- passing the exam- and making it through the class!

I feel as though the lime Jello (really spell check, you say that must be capitalized?) I made last Friday is running through my veins making me feel all uncertain and nervous about my upcoming en devour! I have a commute to attend the program, it’s only an hour, but it’s to Stockton. Yeah, everyone who knows about Stockton just went “Eeeesh, really? You’re going there?” Don’t worry folks, won’t be there after dark ( I hope ) and there are escorts to take us to our cars. (“If it hasn’t been stolen!” – My loving boyfriend’s reminder that Stockton is indeed a scary place.) Fear not people, tweeps, the general masses who may read this blog… I’m feeling pretty good about the whole thing and I am sure there will be tweeting about my adventures in Stockton.