Day 1, done

Today was our first day of clinicals for the nursing program. We had to be there by 6:15am and we finished just after 12:30pm. Most of it was orientation to the facility and getting to know our residents. Holy hectic chaos! I've been doing this kind of work for 3 years now, but I do private care for 1 person at a time. For the next week we're going to have 6 patients each. It makes the time go by so quickly! I love it! I'm exhausted, but it's a good exhausted and it's so nice to actually work with other people instead of being stuck in a room alone with someone for 12 hours or more.

Last night was my homegroup meeting and it was a good one. The last Tuesday of each month is an aniversary meeting and the celbrants each get to speak for a bit. This month we had 3, including my sponsor. It seems like each year that passes we learn something new about someone. To me, this is such a gift. Going back to those first few days and on through to what the last year has been like always brings something new. Thank God for this ever changing process in recovery and our ability to continue to grow and learn. I hope I never stop being able to grow inside as well as with the people around me.

Going Clinical!

Time sure can pass quickly. I've been so busy with school lately that I haven't had time for much else. We've already had 3 quizes and our final exam for the first level of the course is on Monday. I'm doing pretty well so far with a 96%, 100%, and 100% which really reinforces my decision to only work on the weekends. Although, I don't always end up with shifts. The patient I've been with for the last 2 years passed away a few weeks ago in surgery. And the other patient I was taking care of passed away just a few days ago. Sad stuff, this work I do. They say, in my work, to not get personal with the patients... but how is that possible when you sit for 12 hours shifts with them and there is no one else to talk to? It's virtually impossible. So, with that said, I have no shifts! It's good and it's bad. The good part is that I get to rest here and there and get paid for being on call and the bad part is that I really need the money to pay bills with. Such a catch-22.

I've still been making it to most of my meetings but I do recognize the times when I just need to rest and go to sleep early. Things seem to be taking a better turn in my homegroup, which is a good thing. There is a lot less conflict lately and the women who wait until the end to share to top everyone else and let us all know how it's "supposed" to be done, haven't been there. I'm sure it's a God thing.

So, next week in school we are going to do all of our clinical check-off's and then we will go clinical. It's super exciting! Right now, we're just doing the CNA portion of the course and that's what I do for work already which makes it all a breeze. It's going to be nice to get a different perspective being able to work with other people, have equipment and supplies that I need, and have a variety of things to get done. When I'm at work, it's usually a bore. I get a lot of reading done, but I sure do spend a lot of time sitting on my ass in a chair. I can't wait to be busy the whole time and really feel like I've gotten something done. =)

Spring Break, Baby!

Today is the first day of spring break for me. And, I've already mady two typos calling it "sprint" break. Hmmm. Let's hope it doesn't sprint by me. My plans for next week are to get one group of assignments ahead and relax by the pool catching some rays. I've only picked up one extra shift for work and I don't forsee too many others; already making it clear to my agency that I need a break, I'm hoping that they don't call too many times.

Even if I don't get anything productive done this coming week, things will be okay. Right now I feel fried and sore. Something is wrong with my knee, so I'm wearing a brace on it and icing it, and my back got a slight strain the other day when my instructor gave me the biggest guy in the class to do position changes on... There's a reason there should be two people when someone is fully incapicitated.

And, for next week, incorporating a few more meetings into my schedule. I'm not always going to be able to go whenever it's convienent because this nursing course is condensed and very intense. Although, I never miss my home group, I sure could use a big piece of AA pie.

My dreams lately have been all about drinking and school. I don't want to drink, but I think because I'm so overtired it's what my alcoholic brain automatically defaults to. In some of the dreams I'm sneaking drinks and in others I'm just flat out drinking and have never been in recovery. Things like this truly help me along my road. I never feel good in the dream and when I wake up, it's refreshing to know I don't have to live like that anymore. But, I must say, in all of these dreams... I'm wearing latex gloves and other protective equipment. It's all very strange! But, it's things like this that make me laugh.

Changes

Oops, I did it again! I've just finished the second week of nursing school and I'm pooped. Extremely exhausted. But, in the long run, it's going to be so worth it. I'm learning so much every day and I'm making new friends and branching out.

Today, we did our CPR training through the American Heart Association. Can you believe I was injured?? Well, maybe it was just a minor injury... Ok, it's a blister; a little, painful blister on the heel of my palm. I guess I was really getting into the chest compressions! Because of the CPR training, we finished a few hours earlier than normal so a few of us went out to lunch. It feels nice to be making new friends that I have something other than recovery in common with. We sat at Chic-fil-a and talked about bloody accidents over our “chikin”. Really starting to feel like I’m on a career path is an amazing feeling.

Homework is consuming most of my time these days. I get up at 5:30a and I’m in school from 7:30a to 3:30p. Then, I come home, watch an episode of something on ABC Family and have a snack, then do homework and reading until 9:30 and usually to bed by 10. Saying that my brain is fried right now would be an understatement! I really need to work on my time management skills and fit a few more meetings in. This week, I’ve only been to my home group. It’s all a learning process and I’m really working to see what I can improve on and change to make things a little more efficient.

Gratitude has been high on my list lately. Although I hate getting up at the butt-crack of dawn, I love learning. Without the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’ve been reflecting on how much AA has given me in just the past few years and I can’t help but smile. Thank you, God, for keeping me away from a drink and a drug for another day. =)