What is next!

Wow I have not posted in forever! So much has happened so here is a little life update:

I have officially passed nursing school and am DONE! Last week I recieved my Pin and graduated with my BSN. There is a part of me that never thought this day would come. So many exams, clinicals, check offs, and care plans lead up to this.

I was so honored to have received my schools Leadership Nursing award at our Pinning Ceremony. 

Now what is next for me! Well I will be spending the next 4-5 weeks studying for my NCLEX. I have been offered a position with The James Cancer Hospital in Columbus Ohio. I will be working as a Bone Marrow Transplant Nurse with their Leukemia and Blood cancer patients. I am so excited for this opportunity to work with a whole new population of patients. My biggest motivator for going to nursing school was working within the cancer specialty. While I originally  planned on working with Pediatrics, I know the adult setting will push me to grow as a person and a Nurse. 

I will Try to update with my NCLEX study tips and tricks and plans in the hopes that it helps some other nursing student as they prepare! The journey to RN is almost over! 

What's in my Clinical Bag?

That night before your first clinical can bring a lot of emotions. My biggest emotion at play was nerves. What would my patient be like? Would the nurses be mean? What will my teacher ask me? and the biggest question What do I need? So depending on the clinical it really depends on what you need but for me this is my go to pre packed bag I like to keep in my car during Clinical rotations. Sometimes I will carry my the book for that specific class, depending on the teacher and how much down time is expected during the clinical. Aways bring your paperwork, you never know when you may have 10 minutes to think up a care plan or write up your assessment. Use your time wisely!

 Here is a look into my bag! I always carry my planner with me. You never know when a teacher will change a date or add an assignment! I recently purchased a Day Designer and so far am loving it!

 I carry a pocket size notepad in my pocket to write down any vitals or information I get from the patient that I may need for paperwork or charting. Also in my pocket is a pocket sized eye chart. ALWAYS carry extra pens. Those things disappear all the time. Chapstick is a must for me along with gum and hand lotion.  Make sure the lotion is unscented! You hands will thank you after constantly washing them! Tide to go pen is super handy to have. We wear white scrub tops so every little stain or spill is seen. I try to never leave the house for a long day of classes or clinical without a protein or granola bar. I love love Quest Bars! So good and filling and prefect to hold me over till a break or for the rest of the clinical. The little black box carries my drug cards or any pre notes I make on my patients condition. Tylenol or some sort of medication for headaches or aches and pains is a good idea. If you have never had a clinical before or worked in a hospital, you'll be surprised by how much walking and lifting you will be doing. Tylenol is my go to!

 I am big on getting in my water for the day and can only do this my always making sure I have a water bottle around. This thing goes everywhere with me. A drug book is handy in case your patients drugs change might shift or if you have some time to work on your paperwork. I love my Littman stethoscope. This baby should last me quite a long time past nursing school.

 My bag is a Thirtyone Utility tote, Spirit collection . It is perfect for clinical. Easy to clean and lots of pockets for all my small things i carry with me.

 

Hope this helps as you plan out your first clinical day!

XOXO

Kelsie

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine...

This past weekend I saw the community of Harding University come together. My social media is filled with pictures, verses, prayers, and updates of this couple. An alumni, Harrison Waldron, suffered a devastating brain injury after an ATV accident in New York. Harrison is a 22 year old newlywed. His wife Hayley is now being faced with living out her vows- for better or worse, in sickness and in health.  Doctors have done all they can do. They have said all the hope he has is his youth and that the brain damage is extensive. What they don't know is that we have something else on our side, a mighty and powerful God is is capable of so much more than we can ever imagine. Harrison has a powerful presence. A personality full of laughter, joy, and radiating Christ. I was fortunate to be in a bible class with him my sophomore year.  While we may not have been close friends, I respect Harrison and his wife so much. So many times we stop praying big bold prayers. We have downgraded the power of the God that created the universe and knows our thoughts. He hears our heart groans when we can't find the words and he is capable of miracles beyond our imaginations. I have seen him heal. I have seen him confuse doctors and nurses who have no explanations for the healing that has occurred and I believe that he can do the same with Harrison. I ask that you bring Harrison and his family to God. Pray without ceasing that Harrison is healed, that he is able to continue his life with his wife and continue to further the kingdom. Pray that Hayley and his family feel Gods presence and comfort, that they keep their faith strong in face of the coming challenges. And if possible consider donating. Harrison's parents are missionary's in Honduras and had to travel from their to new york over the weekend to be with him. His wife is now facing the upcoming burdon of doctors bills and making decisions no 22 year old expects to make for your husband.

Harrisons mom said it best "We serve a God full of compassion and mercy and we are resolved to praise him, no matter what. God is good all the time"

http://www.gofundme.com/xk3yzrus

A look back at my first semester. '

Finals are offically over (praise God) and I have successfully passed and completed my first semester of nursing school! For me this is a huge step. This time last year I was experiencing major doubts in my self and my choice in careers paths. I unfortunatly had been exposed to some very discouraging professors who caused me to quesiton and doubt a career path I had been certain of since I was 13. I was told I had a disability. I was told to I needed to look into other options and that I was not cut out for Nursing. I let them get inside my head. I spent the next two months in turmoil. I had no plan, no major and no idea of what the future held and that scared the crap out of me. I like plans. I like knowing exaclty what to expect and prepare for.  Sometimes its a blessing and sometimes its a curse as my anxiety tends to get the best of me. After many long days, lots of research and phone calls to my mom later I decided that those teachers were wrong. Nursing was all there was for me. I absolutely can not imagine doing anything else with my life. So I decided right then that no matter what it took I would be a nurse.

Getting through this semester was a big step in the right direction and also confirmed that I can do this. At this school I am surrounded by people and professors who actually believe in me. I have been encouraged, uplifted, and praised and it has boosted my self esteem and mentality by so much. I am here to tell you that if this is your path, if this is what you are meant to do then find a way and do it! It requires sacrifices. I have spent many nights with just me and my books color coding the mass amounts of information. Just because it doesn't come easy does not make it impossible. Ignore those people who barely have to study or those people who say it isn't worth it. Find your way to study and deal with the stress and push forward. It took me longer than I like to admit but I finally figured out how I need to study and what works for me. In 4 semesters I know I will be walking across that stage and be given my BSN and soon after that pass my NCLEX and be able to right RN after my name.

Now it is time for a much needed summer break. This is my first summer without school in over three years. I have always taken summer classes and now have none that can be taken. So I will be relaxing, recharging, and working so that I am recharged for the next semester. I also will begin studying for my NCLEX. Yes that's right I will be studying this summer for a test I won't be taking for another two years. I will be working through my NCLEX book and doing online kaplan questions. This helps keep my brain engaged and thinking how my instructors test. It also will keep me learning and I never want to stop that. I will keep you updated on my summer and preparations for my first full semester of psych and adult health clinical!

Happy Summer Ya'll!
Kelsie

Life flight ride along... well almost

I was given the opportunity to sign up for a ride along with the Vanderbilt life flight team based out of Tullahoma. I was so excited for this opportunity to experience a day in the life of a life flight nurse and learn about this aspect of nursing! Unfortunately I was not able to actually ride on the helicopter due to not getting any calls that day but I did get to learn about what these nurses and paramedics do. Getting to see in the helicopter and ask questions was so eye opening. The amount of medical procedures and life saving measures that are able to be done in flight is amazing! I have always been drawn to trauma nursing, and life flight is as traumatic as it gets. I also got to see what a down day looks like for them. They are responsible for a lot of paper work and had to check the helicopter at the start of the shift. This is to make sure everything is in its place and ready should an emergency call come in. They have to be able to think fast and decide what medications or procedures are needed without a doctor calling out orders to them.

I never thought about doing life flight nursing until this day! The process of being hired is intense and requires 3 years in the critical care setting and numerous certifications but oh so worth it, at least it seems that way to me!

Thank you again to the Tullahoma Life Flight Crew for letting me spend the day at the base and answer all my questions about your amazing job!

Taste of Clinical

This month we started our first round of clincials. In the first semester they give us a taste of what clinical is like. This way we don't show up to clinicals the first day of Adult Health and look completely terrified and confused.  I am so thankful I have experience in the hospital and have had clinical before, so for me this round has been a breeze. We have been working with a local nursing home where we are partnered with the Techs for our 6 hour shift. I can't lie, nursing homes are not for me nor are they for the faint of heart. I have been so lucky to work with some great techs at this nursing home. It truly takes a special person to work at a nursing home. The tech I was assigned to really changed my perspective of the nursing home staff and environment last week. This particular tech really knew his residents. He knew how the women liked their hair, and how they preferred to be moved and changed. He knew their routines and knew each one of them by name. He knew their morning and night routine and took the time to make sure each resident he was assigned was taken care of just how they like.

Now a here's a thought. How many of you techs or nurses take the time to really know your patients. Do you find your self referring to them as the hip replacement or the stroke in room 105? I know I know- A hospital is different than a nursing home. Trust me I get that. But there is a disconnect at the hospital. What if we took 5 minutes, just a few, to learn our patients names and maybe how they like their blankets or what their nightly routine is. If we took this short time to ask them how we can make them comfortable maybe less patients would be cranky, yell, cry, or complain. Something as simple as making sure the patient can follow their nightly routine (to the best of our ability in the hospital) can do wonders for their sleep- which we all know is important with healing. This can ease anxiety, fear, and can make their stay a tiny bit better. You are the one with your patient for the most time, not the doctor. You know their illness, their medications, their treatment plan, and prognosis. Patients are people. They are more their their illness and diagnosis and They are more than a hospital room number. Treat them that way and I know you will have less patients yelling and complaining which we all know would make a much better 12 hour shift. 

Lastly- Nurses thank your techs. So many times they are ragged on and felt to be so much smaller and insignificant then they are. They are more than willing to help and take care of patients but should not be dumped on with only the tasks you do not want. 

Techs- respect and thank your nurses. They are the advocates for their patients and are many times behind on meds and struggling to keep up in the shift. Nurses have one of the hardest jobs and many times could not get it all done without you! 

Until next time! 

Kelsie 

Plexus Provision: Probio5

Okay so a few months ago I started on a journey to better my health. I did not go into this with the intention of weight loss. Instead I wanted to takle my health issues by addressing my body from the inside out. For as long as I can remember I have battled anxiety. I am a worrier. I can remember crying over TCAP testing week and that drop in my stomach as I sat down for any test. This past year it got to where the anxiety was affecting my grades no matter how much studying I did. I constantly felt stressed and on edge. The doctor perscribed anxiety medications. I tried those for a few months and while they did help my body just could not handle to side effects. I messaged a friend who I had seen post about this Plexus stuff and relaized that this could help! Since starting plexus my anxiety has been undercontrol but that is not the only benefits I recieved.

• Acne gone
• Increased energy
• I sleep through the night
• Constipation gone 
• less migrinaes and headaches
• my joint aches and pains are much more managable 
• I FEEL GREAT 

Plexus is not a magic pill that but it is a tool that can help you get your body back on track. I am going to highlight some of our products every week. I hope that someone who suffers from the issues that pexus can help will see these posts. I am passionate about helping people find wellness.

PROBIO5

Okay guys this probiotic is incredible. A probiotic is an organism that helps the health and balance of the intestinal tract. It is also referred to as a "friendly" or "beneficial" bacteria. When ingested it acts to maintain a healthy intestinal tract and fight illness and disease.

Yeast and fungal organisms are comprised of proteins, chitin, and cellulose structures. Proteins are broken down by protease enzymes, and cellulose is broken down by cellulast. The chitlin structure can only be processed in the presence of the chitinase enzyme. The enzyme profile in ProBio5, which is micro encapsulated, is designed to process away the protein based outer layer of yeast and fungal orgnaisms. This then exposes the interior of these organisms to the cellulose of the chitosinase in the ProBio5. Enzymes are efficient and effective in the destruction of yeast and fungi.

ProBio5 Friendly Flora In addition to enzymes, ProBio5 contains very beneficial “friendly bacteria” that assists in supporting the body’s need for a balance of probiotics (micro flora) in the digestive tract. This “friendly bacteria” is delivered in a micro-encapsulation system to ensure that they reach their intended destination in the digestive tract to help rebuild the damage done by the yeast and fungi overgrowth.

Vitamin B6 The probiotics and enzymes in ProBio5 are assisted by the addition of vitamin B6. B6 is required by enzymes involved in protein metabolism and is also essential for red blood cell metabolism. In addition, vitamin B6 helps increase the amount of oxygen carried by the blood. A well oxygenated body is resistant to yeast and fungi.

Grape Seed Extract One of the most powerful of the antioxidants that will fight free radicals. It is 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times stronger than vitamin E. Grape seed extract is a potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory substance. Grape seed extract has been extensively researched in universities around the world.

ProBio5 Probiotics Without sufficient probiotics, your body’s nutrient absorption is impaired; this can result in producing an environment that is supportive of yeasts and fungi growth. ProBio5 contains five powerful probiotics:
Lactobacillus Sporogenes, L. Acidophilus, L. Plantarum, B. Longum and S. Boulardii.

How may CFUs are in ProBio5?At the time of manufacture, there are 2 billion probiotic live cells in 1 capsule of ProBio5.

Bacillus Sporogenes is a spore forming probiotic that is able to survive the manufacturing process and caustic stomach acid so it can establish itself in the intestinal tract. Bacillus Sporogenes requires no refrigeration; it has a 50 year history of safe use. Bacillus Sporogenes produces the preferred form of lactic acid which is capable of releasing energy to resynthesize ATP without the involvement of oxygen and is called anaerobic glycolysis.

Lactobacillus — Lactobacilli are bacteria that normally live in the human small intestine and vagina. Lactobacillus Acidophilus is generally considered to be beneficial because it produces vitamin K, lactase, and anti-microbial substances such as acidolin, acidolphilin, lactocidin, and bacteriocin.

L. Acidophilus — This is a powder form of the normal, friendly bacteria that live in our intestines (called flora). Taking acidophilus replenishes our bacterial flora and reduces overgrow of yeast, especially some bacteria which grows well in an acid medium.

L. Planterum — is derived from sour dough and has been demonstrated to improve the recovery of patients with enteric bacterial infections. This bacterium adheres to reinforce the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa, thus preventing the attachment of the pathogenic bacteria to the intestinal wall.

B. Longum — One of the most important residents in the human gastrointestinal tract, B. Longum keeps the digestive system running smoothly, blocks the growth of harmful bacteria and boosts the immune system. The organism ferments sugars into lactic acid and has many health benefits for humans. It is often the dominant bacterium found in humans. It is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, branched rod-shaped bacterium. Researchers have identified a number of proteins that are specialized to help B. Longum interact with the human host and persist against harmful bacteria. Future research will now look closely at which genes allow B. Longum to live in different environments such as dairy products, vegetables and the human gastrointestinal tract.

S. Boulardi — The intestinal micro flora are important for maturation of the immune system, the development of normal intestinal morphology, and in order to maintain a chronic and immunologically balanced inflammatory response. The micro flora reinforces the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa, helping in the prevention of the attachment of pathogenic microorganisms and the entry of allergens. Some members of the micro flora may contribute to the body’s requirements for certain vitamins, including biotin, pantothenic acid and vitamin B12.

Probiotics are widely recommended for the treatment of Candida overgrowth—a fungal infection> Probiots establish large, healthy populations of friendly bacteria that compete with the Candida that is trying to take up residence in the intestine. Probiotics are also essential in the treatment and prevention of thrush, vaginal yeast infections, and athlete’s foot. Good health depends fundamentally upon the more than 400 types of friendly, symbiotic bacteria that inhabit the digestive tract.

If you suffer from brain fog, fatigue, bloating, anxiety, or sugar cravings you should try this product! 

How to order! 

Visit my site- http://kelsiehull.myplexusproducts.com

Scroll to products you are interested in buying 

Enter the quantity and hit purchase! 

I always recommend you purchase as a preferred customer to get the best deal. We offer a 60 day money back guarantee or can cancel your monthly order at anytime! 

ProBio is one of my four products I use every day! Come back next week to learn about Plexus Slim- my favorite pink drink! 

Almost half way done...

My first semester is almost to the half way point! So far I am loving this program.
We have had two Ice/snow days this week and I am hoping for a third. Birthday on Thursday and no school would make for a great way to enter my 22nd year!

This past weekend my wonderful boy came to visit for our two year anniversary/ Valentines day. I was so excited to see him and meet his adorable new puppy. Meet Charlie! 

Eric adopted a Beagle/Terrier mix from the shelter. He is just about the sweetest pup I have met. 

 We spent his birthday weekend in Ohio hiking and camping with his family at Deer Creek State Park

We also got to enjoy a Blue Jackets Hockey game! 

Charlie on his way home 

A few pictures from the past two years together! Love this guy. 

Nothing else exciting to report! Can not wait to start clinicals and finish out this semester! 

Its been a while...

My blog was brought back up to me by a stranger so apparently other people actually read this!
It has been almost exactly a year since I last posted and I have seen some major changes since then!

I graduated Harding University (YAYYYY) It was not with the degree I intended but circumstances changed and life happens. I had to take a litte break from nursing to get my self together. I needed time to focus on taking care of myself physically and mentally.  At first I was comepletly devestated by this. I was so negative and so angry with the fact that my plans were changing. It took me several months to become accepting of this change. I am slowly learning to be okay with change. Sometimes our plans are not what is best or what we need. God has perfect timing and an incredible plan for our lives. His plans are usually different than mine but always end up being so much more wonderful than I could have imagined. 2015 is all about trusting in his plan and changing my focus from the negative to the postive.

Since this whole shift in my plans I have also moved! I have transfered to Cumberland University in Tennessee. I have moved in with a previous roommate from Harding and am loving it. Being so far away from my parents is hard but I am finally back to my home, the place I grew up. Tennessee is beautiful and I have missed it so much since I left.

I am now back to being a nursing major. After a semester of classes with freshman that had nothing to do with nursing, I am so happy to be back in my element. My new graduation date is May 2017.
One of our professors encouraged us to post this date somewhere we see it everyday. This is to remind us there is an end date and an end goal. I will be a  Registered Nurse.  Nursing school is hard, if it was easy everyone would do it. If it were easy we wouldn't trust our loved ones to them.

My goal is to keep this blog up. To document this journey and be able to look back and see what I have learned. My hope is that I can also help someone else. For someone to find this blog and see that it is possible to get through nursing school, even if it wasn't the exact path you wanted to take to get there. I hope to be a light, an encouragment, or even a source of some answers on how to survive.

Here are some pictures from the past year.

Hike in Heber 

Our last Clam Bake 

Sweet Pi Theta Phi Sister 

Last Formal 

He Graduated!! 

I was honored to be the Maid of Honor for my best friends wedding. She made a gorgeous bride! 

Our Casino Winnings! 

Kylie's graduation with my beautiful mother 

Joined the Ulliman Family vacation to Myrtle Beach 

Kayaking in Ohio 

Tim McGraw concert with my parents 

My wonderful housemates for my last semester at Harding 

Go Bucks. Got to watch the playoff game with Eric in Ohio! 

Sweet seniors. 

Apple Picking in the Fall 

Pledge week 

Thanksgiving Broom Ball Champ 

Columbus Zoo Lights 

My graduation from Harding! 

Hearts flowers and such. My mushy post for the year.

I gotta take a little time to brag a bit. I'm sure the only people actually reading this are my parents. (Hi mom) but thought I would express how thankful I am for my guy.

Last night he cooked a steak dinner for me. The table was set with flowers, candle, and a full home cooked meal. We ate a wonderful meal and just got to talk which unfortunately we don't get a lot of time to do as of lately. With our schedules between my nursing school and his work we Hadn't seen each other all week apart from about 20 minutes one night. He knew how stressed out this week and chose to keep our night together low key and relaxing. It was perfect.

Movies, dinner, and goofing off was just what I needed for our Valentines/ One year anniversary.

After dinner we changed into comfy clothes to watch movies the rest of night. 

I got flowers, chocolate, chap stick (so I don't steal his anymore) a Ohio State Blanket, and a beautiful necklace. He did good.

This past year has not been an easy one. Three surgeries, a summer apart, 70+ hours in the car, 13 states, meeting both families, getting into nursing school, countless car jam sessions full of dancing, sonic drink runs, and club functions. We have seen good times and difficult. But we have been made stronger by it all. I can not wait to see how this next year goes for us. As Eric graduates and I continue nursing school I know the next few years won't be easy and we more than likely won't be in the same state most of the time, but I know God has a plan for it all. I can not wait to see how our story unfolds. I am a luck girl. 

Going orange.

It has been 3 years. Three years since the person who inspired this journey left this earth. Zach Kraus was the reason I decided to pursue a career in Nursing. Zach was diagnosed with ALL. After battling ALL for many years he went into remission with the help of his sister and a bone marrow transplant. This transplant caused Graft vs host disease. He  endured radiation, chemotherapy, 30 surgeries, a bone marrow transplant, a liver transplant, and constant pain. He fought his way back after numerous infections nearly took his life and continues to inspire people all over the world.

Our mothers were and still are best friends. We grew up together in play groups. Zach wasn't diagnosed until after we moved away and unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to see him after his diagnosis. That does not diminish his effect on my life. I followed closely on his care link page that was updated by his mother and at time himself. Even through his illness he put others first. He raised 11,000 dollars to buy PlayStation's and gaming systems for children to have in the hospital to play when they stayed on the oncology wing. He also used to money to help pay for a friends bone marrow treatment. He was selfless. He was and is my hero.

Zach decided on his own to end his treatment. At the age of 16 he made the decision to stop fighting. He chose to end his battle in the place where it all started at St. Christopher's. I refuse to admit cancer won this battle. Zach took his diagnosis and changed lives. He took his time in the hospital and effected every nurse that came in contact with him. He changed the life of his oncologist. He effected people who lived across the world, people whom he had never met.

Now that I am in nursing school, there is rarely a day that he doesn't cross my mind. I believe he is looking out for me while I go through this journey. Giving me the extra push when I am exhausted and have mountains of paperwork to get through.

There is an issue. Out of 10 children diagnosed with cancer, 2 will not survive past 5 years. 1 of those will pass the five year mark but die soon after. More than 95% of the survivors will suffer serious and chronic complications by the age of 45. We need more funding. We need more research. I am putting a few links for donation sites and more of Zach's story. I can guarantee it will touch your life. Wear orange today in honor of Zach and every other child who battles cancer.

Thank you Zach. Thank you for showing me what it truly means to be strong and fight. Thank you for inspiring me to make a difference and work with children and families suffering from cancer and its treatments. Thank you. We miss you.

https://www.facebook.com/zach.kraus.94
http://www.acco.org/SupportUs/MakeaDonation.aspx
http://www.alexslemonade.org
http://articles.mcall.com/2011-07-26/health/mc-health-zach-kraus-20110726_1_zach-kraus-leukemia-bone-marrow-transplant

This semester has not been an easy one. When they tell you about nursing school people use words like- stressful, intense, exhausting, draining, and impossible. I hate how negative the world of nursing school has become. Entering into the program, I already had convinced my self that my experience would be the same. I would be miserable for two years until I finally graduated and became an RN. 

The first two weeks I let this be my mindset. I let the negative thoughts take over. In turn I was exhausted and stressed and overwhelmed most of the days. Instead of focusing on the new relationships I was forming with my new professors and classmates I focused on just getting things down and the lack of sleep I was getting. 

Today I am choosing to change. I am choosing to look at this whole experience as a positive one. I am choosing to focus on the wonderful relationships I am forming, the skills I am learning, and the chances I am getting to touch lives. I am in no way saying that there won't be stressful days, or nights, or times when it seems there are not enough hours in the day to complete it all and get sleep. But I can choose my attitude and who I set my focus on.

 Jesus Calling for today was perfect and reminded me of our Sponsor Lisa Carr who passed away after battling cancer for 7 years.  I met her my freshman year and she completely changed how that year went. Unfortunately our bible study ended after her cancer returned but she was the sponsor for Pi Theta Phi and I also looked forward to talking with her at meetings. One thing she always would encourage us to do would be to take our thoughts captive and point them towards God. We have the ability to focus on God. He will guard you and keep you in constant peace, as you focus your mind on me. Seriously how awesome is that. When we are in times our turmoil, in grief, in stress, he is there. He wants us to come to him with our trials and lean on him for our comfort and peace. I know Mrs. Lisa is singing and dancing with our Lord in heaven. Finally pain free. My heart hurts for the fact that she is no longer on this earth with us. I will miss her gentle spirit and the way she knew just what to say when we were hurting and broken. She was a little piece of heaven for every person that knew her and her presence will be immensely missed. 

From now on I hope to make my posts more encouraging. More focused on the positives of Nursing school and not the negatives. I want to keep the focus on God and how he sustains me thorough this process of completing my degree. 

- Kelsie 

The Start.

The time has finally arrived. That's right, I am officially a Nursing Student. I completed my first week full of orientation, 150 page syllabi's, new teachers, and already a few tears. That's right I have already become overwhelmed and a bit stressed but all is well. 

On Tuesday we had a transition ceremony. This ceremony focused on the start of this new journey we were about to jump into. They spoke of the relationships that would be formed with our professors and other Nursing classmates. How during the next 2 years we would grow. We would become stressed, overwhelmed, and at times lost in a sea of paperwork and nursing diagnosis'. But it would all be worth it.  We made our way to the front of the room and our professors stood as we lit the candles given to us. To signify the lights we would be. The lights in a world that is sometimes filled with darkness. A light to our patients. 

Going out into the world with a Christian mindset. To do no harm to our patients. To take the time to pay attention to each patients needs or fears. There will be times when they need a hand to hold or someone to laugh with. I can not wait for these days. To serve HIS kingdom everyday. 

Tuesday I being my first rotation of clinical. Chronic then Psychology. Next year I will begin with Acute and OB. I am so excited to start this adventure. One that leads to that RN next to my name and hopefully a job in hospital. 

Pre insanity

I love these first few weeks of school.  Why? Because I still have a social life. My mind is not yet completely consumed by stress and anxiety over classes, projects, and tests. 

This past weekend I got to enjoy two events plus a leisurely day of football and studying. 

Friday night consisted of a football paint war 

Who wouldn't want to spend 3 hours throwing paint on each other while playing football. It was a great night. Even though it took me an hour in the shower to get all the paint out of my hair. 

Saturday consisted of college football and the white county fair. You can not go to Harding/ live in searcy without attending this event at least once. We went with Eric's sister and her husband. We spent the evening consuming gross amounts of fried food, playing typical fair games, and ended up winning 3 gold fish. 

Soon though the papers will pile up, clinicals with start, and my mind will slowly start slipping away. For now I'm enjoying these nights. Hopefully they won't completely disappear here in a few weeks. 

I love my school

I can't say this enough, I love my school. Now it hasn't always been true. I absolutely hated this place my freshman year. I surprised a lot of people by coming back as a sophomore, but I did. I am so thankful I stuck it out. 

I have met some of the most wonderful people here. People who would drop everything to help me. People who challenge me to live for Christ. People who encourage me to stay positive and always do my best. People who are intentional with their relationships. 

A lot of these people came from my club. Pi theta phi. Yeah I knew it's a weird Greek name, but welcome to harding. We do things a little differently here. These women have been the biggest blessing in my life. They have been my safe place to go when it feels the world is caving in. My shoulders to cry on in bad times rand friends to rejoice with in good times. This week marks the start of the pledging process for our new members. I can not wait to see what wonderful girls we get to join us this year.  Here's a picture of my roommate from last year and I at our first open house. We pledged together last year and she is just wonderful.