Lee Watts R.N. (& more)

Yes, by the grace of God I passed my boards. Not only did I pass but I did by taking the minimum amount of questions possible (75). Yippy!!!!
I also found out a little something about the unit I was hired for. It's an oncology/med-surg unit, the oncology patients will be mainly 2 types: A. those who came in for outpatient chemo that spiked a Temp or had a negative reaction or B. those who are about to die & need comfort care.... Of course I'd rather be in the nursery (my goal) but I pray the Lord will help me with these challenges, especially caring for a patient in their last moments of life (and there first moments of death). God give me the strength and the ability to not breakdown or get nauseated.

On to the tidbits:

• Read this kind of cute article about the states & tv shows, check it out...
• Got the urge to shop? Yankee candles has some clearance sales & 99 cent votives on the New Fall scents (love fall!). Also Tilly's is having clearance sale (50% off or 30% off already reduced items - the price changes when you add to the cart) with tons of items! Victorias Secret also has their semi-annual clearance going on, the bras can be pricey when Not on sale but I can attest they are great quality, very supportive and comfy fit (today they also have free shipping when spend $25).

Thank you all for the encouragement & prayers. God bless America on this beautiful 4th of July!

thurs: boards = ahh!

Thursday is the day that will change my life at least slightly because I take the NCLEX, the licensing exam for nurses. Today has been a mixtur of stress & studying. If I could study all day I would but the stress keeps me in check to the point that I take frequent breaks. When is comes to a "test" it never seems like you have enough time to prepare... You might say I've been working towards this goal for years yet there is so much I don't truly know or can't recite. And in my would be perfect world I would be able to recite each disease with his cause, treatment, complications, etc.

I'm far from perfect and often make mistakes, hopefully mainly little ones and learn from them. I ask for any prayers that one might send my way. Lord knows I've prayed for myself and this exam and that no matter what Thank you. If all goes well in less than 48 hours I'll have the boards behind me and can actually focus on my job and getting better at it (vs studying) for a written test).

I want to thank anyone who has had me in their thoughts, prayers over the last few years. I truly appreciate the love, kindness, and effort that has been put towards me and my life & goals. By the grace of God I will not just suceed but exceed for his Will is what will be and I know he only wants good for me....

Sunday

Good Morning Sunday

Although it has been a month since I watched my regular Mr. Osteen on TV and I have "stumbled" a bit with my bible studies, I'm taking today (the true first day of the week) to get back on track with my studies.

There is never a day that I don't have multiple things to think God for. I've fortunante that I haven't had a day where my only thanks is for giving me breath & life. But today I want recognize my thanks on Amazon Prime. It has allowed me to have some tv shows and movies to watch at no additional cost. Yes the selection is limited but there have been a few great ones (Glee, some Alaskan tv shows, & a few good movies like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers). 

Prayers for NCLEX

So I made it throw my first week of Nursing. Of course you can't really call it that because I didn't do much of anything. I'm sure I'll slowly be doing more and once I get my license be doing it all....

I also got my first paycheck in about 4 years. I have to say that the paycheck is kind of like a mosquito bite... I just have this slightly "itch" to buy something... hehe. However, after visiting Amazon & Old Navy online, even adding a few items to my cart- I did not purchase anything. I have kind of taken a vow or something not to indulge in extra spending until after I pass the boards (praying for the 28th!!!!). It's a good bit of stress because I need the license to practice and keep the job I already got. But I am planning on taking Max to the vet. But that isn't really a want but a need....

So keep the prayers going, I'm taking the NCLEX on the 28th and should have a couple days off before to prepare. God has helped me get this far and I have faith he will delivery me to whatever is in his plan for me... I really think I can make a difference and who knows... Maybe I'll enjoy the new oncology unit more than I think....

Last day before orientation (or my "official start date)

First I have to say that I find it very interesting that right now my website weather thing says Orlando & Urbana are 75F but the in-betweener Morristown is 69F. Guess it might have something to do with the impending rain that should strike this area today... ?.... Either way I'm thankful that the next few days predict that Wed will be no/low rain chance & Thurs/Friday thunderstorms. The reason I'm thankful is because Thurs/Friday my drive is 15 min but tomorrow it's going to be over an hour. I haven't 100% decided but thinking about waking up at 5:15 & leaving about 6:15 because map-quest says it takes 1 hr 10 min. If I get there 30 mins early I can sit in my car for 15 and then head in.

So my goals for today...

• Errands
• Study
• Prep for Orientation (make sure I have my stuff ready)
• Relax

Yesterday I called what was going to be my boss to leave a message about my new boss having not contacted me. I imagine getting promoted & getting a new hire(s) is probably not the ideal situation but regardless by Friday hopefully someone has communicated how the rest of orientation/my schedule will be. I admit I felt kind of bad or something when I left the message because it really isn't her job anymore but no one gave me any contact info for my new boss, so... I can't see myself really being at fault. I have a plan B if this plan fails.... I'm not all too concerned anyways since I have 3 days of orientation, plus I will then call for my CPR renewal & still waiting for ATT for NCLEX.

So... please pray for my family. That I get my ATT soon, that the job/orientation goes well, that Max's growth he won't stop licking doesn't get infected or isn't causing his health to decline and God will allow me to have the funds to take him to the vet soon (and/if before it gets worse).

There is one thing I learned in nursing school (more like a million but this one about myself) I may get nervous, maybe scared, at times doubtful but I can get through it, I can do it. Maybe I'll have a few questions along the way or maybe I'll break a sweat, maybe I can benefit from the experience of another but despite the roller-coaster going on inside me I know I can be an awesome nurse and that with each day I gain more experience I will be an awesome nurse. With God's blessing and his guidance and those he puts in my path I will do just so and a few months from now I'll have a new-found confidence.

Rob got a truck- TY God

 Rob & his new (used) 1998 Dodge Dakota

 Back yard

I have to say I'm very thankful for the fact that my husband & I have jobs, we found him a vehicle to get to work once I start mine. Although I still have a big task of passing boards, I pray that I do & keep my job so my husband & I can take care of our family. It's nearly the end of the month and the bills are coming in. I start my orientation next week but at the moment I only know 3 days. Due to some lack of getting in touch on my end & my boss's I do not know what happens after next Friday... Maybe I'll have more work days, maybe not. All I know is that I need to call to set up my CPR renewal but pretty sure she said to do that after my official start date next week. I'm a little nervous about it all (nclex too!) and driving to Knoxville. But I'm going to stay as calm as I can & pray for God's aid. He has gotten me this far and I know he has much further places to take me... 

So send a few prayers my way so I can continue on my intended path & God's plan...

Humble, Humility

I have to admit that being humble is a varying work in progress. I desire to have a humble attitude, to appreciate everything & be thankful for what I do have vs. what I have not. It's easy to see or name the faults in something. It takes more effort or energy to name the positive attributes. Have you noticed how easy it is to correct someone when they are wrong or to address a situation where a mistake not in your favor has occurred? But if the situation was reversed, would you praise someone or correct the situation that actually left you in a better position than you should be?  I can think of numerous potential situations, maybe some might argue a few that it is your right to argue it or whatever. Should I eat those cold fries from the burger joint or complain & get a new order? Should I compliment the cashier on her service? - Something she does for 8 hours a day to random people, she is paid to do it but should I just say thanks? Should I say more, like you have been helpful or I like you earrings or thank you for the quick service? I imagine in this world I live in that more than likely I'd get a few stares at my verbal effort. The truth is I don't do a lot of that. I do always try to say thank you to my cashiers when they hand my receipts and throw in a nice day or "you too". Of course it's a lot easier to say thanks and have good day when it's being offered to you too. Almost a domino effect, don't ya think?

As a student nurse meeting a patient can be a little nerve-racking because like that box of chocolates " you never know what you're gonna get". So I try to get to know a little bit more than just the medically necessary with my patients. And if I time I usually throw a compliment too (I often compliment nail polish on my female patients).

But to me humility is more than kindness & effort but thanking God for things I probably wouldn't think to thank God for.... example: My new rental house, I could make a laundry list of things/reason I wouldn't buy it and I often think I should look for a better place before it comes time to renew in about 11 months. Lets just say I just wouldn't want a baby crawling around this place or giving them a bath in the tub. But the humble side says Lee you have a roof that doesn't "appear" to leak, you have your 4 babies & husband under 1 roof, the air works and you can do laundry without leaving the house - God blessed me!
If only my husband could be a little more humble and flexible to my wishes ... hehe....

I'm in TN, & even know I might have just killed some small winged bug on my dog laying next to me on the bed, I'm trying to be positive; at least it wasn't a spider? at least it wasn't on me? Our black comforter certainly isn't helping me out any..... All in all I can't complain. God got me through school, got me to TN with my family, got me a job super quick... now if he can continue to help me with NCLEX so I can keep the job and progress on my path in life....So I've got a nice index in my study bible- it has humble & humility in it so I'm going to read those verses that correlate to the topic...
(abbreviated)
Num 12:3
Ps 138:6, 149:4
Zech 9:9
Matt 5:5, 11:29, 21:5
Eph 4:2
Phil 2:3
Jas 4:6, 3:13
1 Pet 3:8, 5:5
Prov 11:2, 15:33, 22:4
Col 3:12

Monday Monday...

So... I thought today might be my last visit to West campus but come to find out I must return after the transcripts are complete (they know for sure graduated) and when the notary is in the office so I can have it notarized, the final step in my app. So I guess next Monday might be a big day for me... Completing my application and putting it in the mail and possibly getting my last Depo shot... we'll see....
Side note to God: please let my body tolerate getting off depo well and without any discomforts...

I would have liked to have my most current stresser being the big move... but I guess I'll just try to put this last task to the back of my mind until Sunday. Going to try to enjoy my time with my dad and hopefully I'll locate the high school my pinning is at without any problems. Paying my last chunk of change to the lease man tomorrow (the prorate rent) and then going to "attempt" to set up turning on my electric and water (this will painful too as more chunks of change required= sad face).

So... please keep on praying for my family's restart life project (aka moving, nclex, new jobs, new home, new state, etc.)... God is great!

Praying...

So... 2 weeks ago today (feels like 3 though) I was supposed to have an interview on the phone but the lady never called me. I left a message last week and called again today only to get the voice-mail... so I left another message. I basically short of of begged her to call me to let me know is she is still interested or not. By the strangest things ever to happen to be in concerns to a potential job. So I'm praying to God that she will call and at least put my mind at ease/peace.
As far as my lease situation- signed and paid! The keys are waiting for me. (or my brother). In a week or so I'm going to call for the electric and water, that is going to hurt the bank account....
As far as my TN-BON app... Seeing the dean next Monday and then I just need to order my transcripts which I might just do now. I just paid for my exam $200. Ouch! And then I just gotta get my $100 cashiers check for the TN app.
I have the graduate luncheon Friday, tomorrow is shopping day (grocery & new interview outfit). And Thurs/Friday I need to go to the Vet & get Mr. Max some food and hopefully a prescription.... after all that I should have just the prorate rent to pay and the Uhaul. So by the time my dad gets here in 1 week I'll be close to broke (at least in the bank).
The risk my husband & I are taking is bigger than any risk we have ever done before. I hope and prayer that God will provide for us and bless us with jobs quickly (precisely: rob by June, me shortly after or by the time I get my license).

I completed Nursing school!

Yay me... now I can focus my prayers on other things... Thank you God!