Parsons Party of Two : May 2014

As I sit here and write this post, which has been in the making for a while, I am filled with overwhelming joy. Joy that no one but my Heavenly Father could bring me.

These past few weeks have been tough I tell ya, really tough. At times I honestly had no clue how I could make it through. But I made it and you will be happy to know that this is my last blog about nursing school until at least August because this girl is done!!

I am a SENIOR in college!

How does that even happen? Wasn't it just yesterday that I was so excited because I was a senior in high school? At that time I thought being a senior in high school was the greatest thing, but here I am. One year away from graduating college and being thrown into the real world. And now, to me, this is the most exciting thing. I'm sure there will be many more exciting things down the line, such as: a wedding :), hopefully a master's degree, hopefully some Parsons babies.. and many other things. But for right now I am living in the moment. I am soaking it all in because I know this time in my life is going to pass very quickly.

I have had seven nursing exams within the past two weeks, some passes and some fails. When it comes down to having a test back-to-back every day, studying just doesn't happen. And although now that I have my grades back I am wishing I would have studied more, I am pleased with the work I have done and there is nothing I can do to change it now. It feels so very good to say that I passed all three of my nursing finals, and I passed all three with fairly good grades. All I can say is, God is GOOD.

Going into my Pediatrics exam last Thursday I knew the exact number I needed on the final to pass the class. And although I wasn't failing the class, my test average was below a 77%. (In our program we have to have a 77% class average and a 77% test average to pass). I was doing fairly well in the class, it was just my test scores that were yucky.

So, I prayed and prayed and prayed some more. Literally, I took the phrase "pray without ceasing" and I did it. Every second of every single day. I had friends praying for me and I know that many of you reading this were praying for me, and for that I am so BEYOND thankful. My mama and daddy were covering me with support and that wonderful fiance' of mine was backing me the whole way.

Well, I took the exam last Thursday and we got our grades back today and let me tell you that I got the exact amount of points that I needed to pass the class. I needed 120 points and I got exactly 120 points.

I will say it again, God is GOOD.

I couldn't have done it without him.

I couldn't have made it through this year without him. But He was faithful, just as he promised and he saw me through. I am so grateful. I have thanked Him constantly today. It has been such a great day.

Oh, and by the way. Did I mention how great it feels to come home and not have a single thing to do? I don't have to open a book and I don't have to read and re-write my notes. I actually get to come home and clean and cook and actually lay in my bed and enjoy it! It has been fabulous.

So here we are. Summertime once again, and this summer I am NOT in school! I know that in December, when a lot of my friends are graduating, I will be a little jealous. But honestly, I don't know if I could make it through summer school. I need a break! I have a wedding to plan and a full time job to work and I am so excited about it!

It feels so good to say that I have made it through the most academically challenging years of nursing school. I'm one step closer to my dream. One step closer to stepping out on the floor and saving lives. And I couldn't be more excited about it. There are no words that anyone could have used to prepare me for this year. And there are no words I could give to anyone else. It has been hard, there have been tears, and there have been laughs, but it has been extremely brutal. I am thankful that I had this opportunity and I'm thankful that I passed my junior year, but I may be more thankful that it is OVER.

I was able to make so many new friendships this year and become close with so many new people that I will cherish forever. I have been with my clinical group almost every Friday night since August and there are so many things that I could have never done if they wouldn't have pushed me. I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to work with them and grow with them.

And, to my best friends who have endured this challenge with me (you know who you are).. I am so proud of you. So proud of your hard work and determination throughout this year. I couldn't have made it without any of you!

I have grown so much this year. In my faith, in my knowledge, and in my clinical skills. And I know that I am only going to grow even more in each of those areas.

On the first day of class, back in August, our professors told us.. "C=RN".

And I am sticking to it. My ability to be a nurse is not measured by the grades that I make on a multiple choice test. My ability to be a nurse is not measured by the grades I receive on my 20+ page papers. My ability to be a nurse is measured by the lives that I touch and by the lives that I am able to share the love of Christ with. I am sticking to that promise and trusting that God will hold my hand the entire way.

I am so thankful for this calling He has placed in my life.

I truly could not see myself doing anything else.

So, thank you to everyone who has watched me grow on this journey. Thank you for the support and the prayers and the love. I couldn't have done it without you. Especially my family, my sweet fiance', and my best friends. They were my saving grace many late nights when I thought I couldn't do it anymore. But I did, and for that I am forever thankful.

Until the beginning of next semester... this is the end of my junior year of nursing school.

Thank you, Lord!!

(Here are a few pictures to re-cap the year with some of the ones who helped me make it through)