#Quick Bite

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... give helpful advice to those still in nursing school.

For those of you on twitter, you may be familiar with the #advicetobabynursingstudents trend. Multiple nursing "anons" take part in the advice-giving, and they all have some good tips for those who are still in nursing school. I've taken part, and have decided to bring those tips into the blog world; I'll elaborate on the advice with some personal testimonies so you all know they really work! Hopefully this will be just another tool to get each of you through the challenge that we call nursing school. We begin with something simple:

Always pack an extra protein bar, package of crackers, etc. in your clinical bag!

I truly found this to be one of my most important pieces of advice when it comes to clinical. You definitely don't want to be stuck at clinical all day with nothing to eat, especially if you didn't eat anything before getting there. (Another tip... ALWAYS eat breakfast!) Even after eating breakfast, I would usually be hungry by 9am. We didn't eat lunch until around noon, and we had a very short amount of time to eat.

You don't want to be there nursing student who passes out at clinical or has low blood sugar because they didn't eat anything and weren't prepared. You are expected to be on your feet, and on top of your patient's schedule, and that is difficult to do on an empty stomach! Besides, it's so simple to throw a protein bar or bag of goldfish crackers before you're headed out the door.
Hopefully you all utilize this tip, because it's an important one. There were many times that I was thankful I could sneak away for a minute to eat my bar; I had the energy to last a whole clinical day without thinking I was going to starve.

Have a happy weekend, everyone! Thank you so much for reading! Xoxo.

Pamper Yourself!

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... like to pamper myself with a relaxing night in!

Nursing school can be stressful, as well as the events that take place after you graduate. Late nights, early mornings, and very little sleep can take a toll on a person's skin and emotional well-being. For this reason, I like to take a night every once in a while to treat my skin and my whole self in general. This means face masks, bubble baths, and my favorite movies or television shows.

Last night, I stayed at home and had one of these relaxing nights in. Here are some of the products I use, although they are ever-changing as I like to try new things!

I always start with a face mask, and this is one of my favorite parts! You can find face masks at just about every drugstore, and there are always a number of masks to choose from. I've been using Neutrogena's Clear Pore mask since freshman year of college. I takes me back to nights in the dorm doing masks with my roommate! The mask on the right is one that I picked up at Ulta yesterday. There are always a dozen or so masks up front for $1.99 or so, and they've all been fun to try. This specific one worked really well to deep-clean my pores, but they also have a chocolate one that smells delicious and leaves your skin so smooth.

After rinsing off the mask, I always apply a moisturizer. This one from Clinique has been my favorite as of late. It's expensive, but this one is actually my mom's and we have been sharing it. It leaves the face feeling hydrated but not greasy, which is something I always look for in a moisturizer.

When I'm staying in for the night, I always love to light candles. Leaves by Bath & Body Works is probably one of my all-time favorites, and especially now as fall is approaching.

Finally, I love soaking in a warm bubble bath to feel really pampered. I love Lush bath bombs, but my go-to is bubble bath from Bath & Body works because it keeps forever! We don't have a Lush store nearby, so when I do get some new bath bombs I'm feeling extra rejuvenated.

It's important to take a night to get your mind away from all things nursing school, or to take your mind off of the tough work day you just had. I always turn on one of my favorite movies or television shows (I watched New Girl last night), and try to free myself of all stress. I know it sounds impossible (and it sort of is), but a night like I've described really helps to clear your mind and start fresh.

5 Things Being an Aide Taught Me

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... apply things that I learned as a nursing aide.

Being a nursing assistant is one of the toughest jobs around, in my opinion. Speaking from experience, it's dirty, tough on the body, and tough on the emotions. It is also one of the most rewarding jobs, just as being a nurse can be. I was a nursing assistant during my senior year of nursing school on an oncology/medical-surgical unit, and I took away so many lessons that I know I'll carry throughout my nursing career. Here is a list of ten things I learned in my time as an aide:

1. You are not above anyone. As an aide, it is your job to do the dirty work... That means cleaning up after patients. It is important to remember that the patient is probably not too happy about needing you to help them out in that way, and to respect their dignity when helping them get cleaned up. Additionally, this means that you have to respect your coworkers when working. Just because you're in nursing school does not make you better than the woman who has been an aide for 10 years. You are doing the same job and should respect each other!

2. Time management. This is honestly key. I learned quickly that an aide's job cannot be done unless he or she manages time well. With 18 or so patients to feed, bathe, check vitals signs on, monitor blood glucose on, etc. You have to keep on top of a schedule in order to get everything done for the next shift!

3. Don't take advantage of the student nurses. This goes the same for student nurses-- don't take advantage of the aides on your unit. You are there for different reasons, and if you are both an aide and a student nurse, you will understand that. An aide is there making money. As an aide, I respected that the students were there to learn, not do my job. In that respect, I still did my job normally... they're still your patients even if they are covered by a student nurse. This means that you still give baths unless their instructor tells you otherwise. I've been taken advantage of as a student nurse, and it's hard to learn when you are expected to completely cover the aide's job.

4. Grow a thick skin. Be kind to your patients, but don't let anyone else knock you around. I've had a doctor treat me like I'm nothing just because I was an aide. This is not appropriate, and not one position in the health care system could work without the other. I learned to just be respectful and not take things too personally.

5. How to be a good nurse. Now that I'm a licensed nurse, I know the kind of nurse I want to be because of my time as an aide. The best nurses, in my opinion, were the ones that treated their aides like another member of the team. This meant understanding that aides have a very tough job, and being thankful that they had an aide to work with. I worked with some nurses that would work alongside me if a particular patient was difficult to bathe/change, and I've worked with nurses who sat at the nurse's station all shift and expected me to do everything. Of course, the patients had the most satisfaction with the nurses who were on their feet and working as a team.

I gained a lot of experience as an aide, and I will be forever grateful for those experiences. I met a lot of wonderful people, both patients and coworkers alike. I learned how to be a little tougher, and not let people walk all over me. But most importantly, I learned what kind of a nurse I wanted to be: one that was kind, compassionate, and a team player.

I'm Giving Up.

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... make terrible diet choices.

I don't drink alcohol. I don't do drugs. Man, I even take awhile to take a ibuprofen or Tylenol. My vice, then, has always been pop (or soda, whichever...). Specifically, Coca Cola. I've tried numerous times to "give up" pop for good, but to no avail. You know how it's supposed to take thirty days to break a habit, or something like that? That has never worked for me.

I've watched many people give up pop for Lent, or just a thirty day period, and admittedly not have a craving for it anymore. However, I've tried almost every year to give up pop for thirty straight days, and at the end of it, all I wanted was a cold can of Coke.

You can imagine, then, that my trip to the dentist yesterday didn't go so well. I knew going in that I was not going to like the results, and I was exactly right. A little cavity hid between each of my back molars, causing me to schedule four more dentist appointments to fill them in. I brush my teeth at least twice a day, and I floss pretty regularly, but the acidity of the pop mixed with the sugar was trouble.

In addition to my teeth decay, I've also had a kidney stone this year. That was pain enough to stop drinking pop for good, but this dentist appointment was just icing on the cake. Not to mention, I have a strong feeling that pop has a link to pancreatic cancer...

I've decided to really give this another go. I'm going to try to cut pop out of my life completely, and I'll fill you all in along the way. Maybe you can try it with me, if you're a pop-drinker like me! I have a feeling that my teeth will be whiter, my skin will be clearer, and I'll feel better overall. This will be tough, but I'm going to make an honest attempt.

Yes, those were both mine... I have a serious problem.

My Weekend (8/23)

This weekend was a good one, I must say. I started it off with a wing night on Friday, and a Saturday afternoon spent cleaning and organizing. After a long dinner with my 95-year-old (lovely) grandpa, I went over to Alex's where we made some fresh strawberry jam. Sunday was spent organizing once again, finished with dinner outside with the neighbors, banana bread baking, and Breaking Bad/VMA watching. All in all, it was a great weekend. It was spent doing the things I enjoy with people I also enjoy! Here are some pictures to commemorate it:

Always pictures of the pup...

My first ever attempt at banana bread!

Canned hot peppers and strawberry jam.

Also, can we talk about the fact that NSYNC reunited last night? My eight-year-old self was going insane. I will admit, Lance Bass was always my favorite, but Justin nailed it last night. Stellar performance. Have a great Monday, everyone! Xoxo.

Farewells & Baked Goods

Last night I said goodbye to one of my best friends before she left to start her new "big-girl" job. It is weird, as most of my friends are still in school, and I haven't started working yet. The end of this summer has sort of allowed me to pretend that we're all still in college, and I've enjoyed it, but now I have to face the facts that we're in the real world now. We spent the night talking on her back patio, with a blazing bonfire and string lights... something my group of friends has enjoyed doing since high school. It felt nostalgic, but was also a reminder that we're growing up, and our lives are changing. In an exciting way! It's not necessarily as dramatic as it sounds; my friend will only be three hours away, and I will still see her regularly. 

I brought cupcakes to the shin-dig, as I typically like to do. This time, I tried something I saw on Pinterest a while ago (you're all going to think "yeah, old news...) and I had tried one during clinical lunch last year. I simply placed an Oreo at the bottom of each cupcake for a surprise! Everyone enjoyed them, and they were definitely a fun change to the typical cupcake.

Excuse the old cupcake tray...

Close up of the Oreo. It was so easy!

They were no harder to make than any other cupcake, which made it all the more appealing. Of course, I don't usually bake cupcakes from scratch; my friends prefer "Funfetti"! Give this idea a try if you're looking for an easy alternative to your normal cupcakes. I topped mine off with pink icing and a raspberry for decoration.

Happy baking, and happy Friday to all of you! Thank you for reading, as always. Xoxo.

Fancy Frames

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... like to arrange frames on a wall.

I've explained in earlier posts that I moved back in with my parents, and I'm now in the room that my sister and I typically share. I always called the shots when it came to bedroom decoration, but it is nice to be able to have full reign over the room. I'm loving this opportunity to add some personal touches to the room at are just mine. Of course, I'll welcome my sister back into the room with open arms; I just hope she doesn't mind that it's my room now...

The pictures below show you the steps that I took to achieve this wall collage. The key, in my opinion, is choosing different frames that compliment each other. The more textures, the better!

Okay, so it takes maybe two steps...

Simply measure your frames on white paper, and tape them
in the shape you want on a blank wall space!

The end! (I used velcro Command strips to mount these... they're my favorite!)

Choosing My Path

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... reflect on why I became on in the first place.

Everyone chooses his or her career path for different reasons. It may be because of money, an opportunity, or something that happened in the past, but there's always a reason. I went into nursing because of a life event that occurred when I was twelve. It was at that age I found out my aunt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Being twelve, this was one of the most confusing times in my life. My aunt was arguably my favorite relative (even though, I know, you're not supposed to have one..._, ad I had many memories that were wrapped around her. It's truly not even possible to explain the role that she had in my life. She was my dad's best friend, and she was the sister my mom never ha. She was the most outgoing and brightest person I knew, and it was unbelievable to me that someone like her could be sick, the way she was.

The months following her diagnosis, I watched my aunt grow weaker and weaker. She did an excellent job of hiding the extent of her sickness from her nieces and nephews, but her physical deterioration was undeniable. For those of you who are familiar with the disease process of pancreatic cancer, you know that it progresses very quickly. I truly blocked a lot of that time out of my memory... I missed a lot of school days in the sixth grade, as well. However, one thing that truly stuck out in my mind through the entire course of her illness: her hospice nurses.

Throughout that time, I was able to observe the role nurses had in the disease process. their bright faces brought my aunt a comfort that our family could not; she could ask them questions, receive honest, accurate answers, and share with them her concerns in confidentiality. Even though she was an independent adult, I could sense the gratitude she felt for the people who treated and cared for her. It was that sense of gratitude my aunt felt, and the kind, considerate impression those women left, that first compelled my interests toward nursing school.

After my aunt passed away, I did everything I could to honor her memory. My ideas for my future changed multiple times in my middle and high schooling (architect, interior decorator, surgeon, etc.), but I knew exactly what I wanted to be when it was time to make my decision. I wanted to help people as the hospice nurses had helped my aunt; essentially, my aunt helped me realize my future. Although I would give anything to have her back, I am forever grateful to her and will do my best to honor her as a nurse.

How did you decide to go into nursing, or the career of your choice? Leave a comment below, I'd love to hear each of your stories!

My Thoughts On the PVT.

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... reflect back on the time when I wasn't.

This blog post pertains to those who haven't taken the NCLEX yet. Whether you're taking it soon, or in a few years, this post may be of some use to you. I know that when I took the test for the first time, I read up on everything there was to know about it. This included a trick to finding out your test results immediately after taking the test! It sounds so appealing, but it was actually my demise the first time.

What is the trick? This trick can only be completed once you've taken the NCLEX. To do it, you simply sign into your account on Pearson Vue's website, exactly where you registered for the test. Then, complete the following steps:

1. Observe your list of scheduled tests. Next to the test you just took, the status should say "delivery successful". If it doesn't, wait for it to change before you do this trick.

2. Click "reschedule a test". Fill in all of your information as if you would be taking the test again. You will go through a series of pages... just keep continuing!

3. Finally, you will either get to the credit card information page, or you will get a pop up. If you reach the credit card page, there is a good chance that you failed. I have heard about people passing after getting that page, but the chances are slimmer. I know that sounds harsh, and trust me, it is.

If you get a pop up that states, "Our record indicates that you have recently scheduled this exam. Please contact your Member Board for further assistance. Another registration cannot be made at this time.", congratulations, you passed! I have heard the pop up is a great indicator of passing.

Finding out your results immediately after the test sounds extremely appealing, I know. I've been there. When I took the NCLEX the first time, I knew in my heart that I had failed. I quickly exited the building and ran to my car, where I did the trick, and went straight to the credit card page. It was only a confirmation of what I already knew, but it crushed me. I then had to drive an hour home, which turned into almost two hours because of traffic. It was absolutely miserable.

Once I got home, I had to wait 48 hours to pay for quick results through Pearson Vue. These two days were up there with the most miserable days of my life. I kept trying to convince myself that the PVT isn't 100% accurate, and that there had been people who got to the credit card page who also ended up passing. Bottom line, the trick messes with your mind completely. I wish that I would have never tried it that first time, because although I had a feeling I had failed, those 48 hours wouldn't have been spent wondering if the trick was wrong. It gave me a false sort of hope that it could be wrong, because I had heard it had been wrong before.

Of course, whether or not you do the trick is a personal decision. In my opinion, however, it is less of a mind game to just wait for your official results, because then you can't pretend that they may be wrong. When I took the NCLEX the second time, I didn't do the trick. Whether I passed or failed, I didn't want to find out that way and I'm glad I made that decision!

To those of you taking the NCLEX soon, good luck! You can definitely do it.

My Weekend (8/16)

This weekend was exhausting, to say the least. I drove three hours to help my sister move into her college apartment, along with the rest of my family. There were some fun times (my sister and I went to eat sushi before our parents got there to start the moving process), and we did a little shopping. The rest of the weekend was filled with hard labor (not so much on my end...), long trips to Target, and trying to figure out the mechanics of getting beds and a couch into a third-story apartment. It was a good weekend, nevertheless, and I ended it watching Breaking Bad with friends.

Morning snuggles with the puppy.

What I got out of the trip to Target: my favorite
nap-time/rainy day movie.

Cute pink lanterns from Target.

Throw pillows on my sister's new bed!

Delicious nacho appetizer.

Thank you all for reading! I hope you had a great weekend... good luck to all of you starting school! Xoxo.

Farmers Markets Are Cool.

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... frequent local farmers markets.

I'm going to be honest, I detest vegetables. Seriously! I will only eat celery and carrots, which are pretty much vegetables for those in kindergarten, right? So it's a wonder that someone like me would be found perusing various stands full of those colorful foods. Also, my boyfriend's an urban farmer. Unlikely couple... I know, I know.

Because Alex grows fresh produce, I do like to come to farmers markets to support him. I have found that although I don't like the food sold there (except for the baked goods!), the atmosphere of a farmers market is generally enjoyable. The people who sell foods at the local markets are all very approachable, and they each have a different story to tell. Also, there's a genuine friendliness between most vendors, even though they're in competition. It's refreshing.

What do I buy there if I don't eat vegetables? Well, I do buy vegetables for my parents. My mom always likes good tomatoes and cucumbers. I've started to realize, though, that vegetables are an important part of any persons diet, and I should try to acquire a taste for some. I decided to try various recipes that contain the vegetables I despise (cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, etc.) and see if I can find some that I can tolerate. I might even like some!

I'll try and post some of my most-enjoyed recipes on this blog. Maybe there are some others like me out there, and I can help you all through this difficult time of hating something that's good for you. It's sad, because I really appreciate the looks and colors of vegetables. And as a nurse, it's important to practice what I preach... I certainly shouldn't scold a patient for eating poorly when I am doing the same. For now, I'll test my vegetable limits, bite by bite.

Have a happy Friday, everyone! I'll be moving my sister into her college apartment this weekend, but I'll be back Monday with some decoration posts, as well as my thoughts on the Pearson Vue Trick (the what...?), and why I became a nurse! Thank you all so much for sticking with me!

Who Am I?- Derek Zoolander

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... remember that I'm other things, too!

This blog is about a week old now, and I truly appreciate all of the support you have shown me. Whether you're a nurse or not, I hope I have provided you with content that you enjoy reading. This is just the start of an exciting journey for me, and I hope that you all will continue to follow along. Please remember, I am open to comments, concerns, or whatever else you'd like to share with me! I'm happy to read anything from any of you.

Because I have been simply posting anonymously (although this is linked to my google account, you don't know much about me!), I figured I'd dedicate this post to share with you some personal details. If anyone I know outside of the blog-world is reading this, now you know it's me!

First, my name is Kelsey. I am twenty-three years old. I think everyone already knew that.

I live in Ohio, but I went to nursing school in Pennsylvania.

I am the oldest of three kids... I have a younger sister (20), and a younger brother (15).

I recently moved back in with my parents, and I am currently redecorating the bedroom that I share with my sister! She is away at school, though, so for now it is all mine.

I have a boyfriend named Alex. He is into urban agriculture. Check out his blog (http://alexlipinsky.com/) if you're into growing your own food, or entrepreneurship in general!

My favorite word is serendipity, both because of the meaning as well as the way it looks when you write it out on paper.

I spend a good amount of time watching other people's lives on YouTube.. my favorites are the Shaytards and It'sJudy'sLife.

I try to never be without my nails painted... if it is required, it drives me crazy. I hate my bare nails.

My friends from high school are still my best friends. Even though we are all off doing our own things, we are still able to get together whenever possible.

I chose to have a random roommate my freshman year of college, and she is currently one of my best friends. We were roommates for all four years of nursing school, and I wouldn't have been able to get through it without her.

Finally, hospice nurses and pancreatic cancer sparked my passion for nursing. I will fill you guys in on that full story someday in another post. It was a painful experience that stuck with me throughout middle school, high school and college, but it also serves as a constant reminder of why I do what I do.

Little Kelsey. Love the glasses.

Thanks for reading! Xoxo,
Kelsey

Spruced-Up Jail Cell

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... decorate dorm rooms!

Moving off to college can be both exciting as well as nerve-wracking. Whether you're in nursing school or not, your first dorm room is a place that you will spend a lot of your time. At first sight, a dorm room can seem uninviting and cold... cinder block walls and tiled floors don't do much to welcome a nervous student. However, with a few personal items, you can make that bare room feel just like home!

Posters and other wall art break up the starkness of a white/cream wall. I found posters of some of my favorite things, and arranged them artistically around my bed. 

It's also important to find a bedspread that shows of your style, but is also comfortable. I found mine at Anthropologie, but as that store can be rather expensive, I have also found more affordable alternatives at stores like Target and Kohls. To add even more personality to your room, you can find some fun throw pillows at stores like Tj Maxx.

Different room, same bedding. It lasted me two
dorm years, as well as a year for my sister...
and still going strong!

Finally, create a workspace that is both functional, as well as a representation of you. I filled my desk area with pictures from home, and other personal touches that made me smile whenever I was stressed with nursing school.

What I'm trying to say is, your dorm room will be what you make of it. The more personal items you add, the more at home you will feel! I always had a blast preparing all of my decorations, and setting up everything on move-in day. Good luck to all of you starting school soon, whether you will be living in a dorm, or not! I must admit, I am slightly jealous (believe it or not)...

Choosing the Right School...

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... explain to people how I chose my school.

Of course, choosing a nursing school is one of the biggest decisions a aspiring nurse can make. One must take in to account the curriculum, each particular school's pass rate, location, etc. It gives me a headache just reflecting back on it! However, it is also a very exciting process. This school is where you will spend the next two to four years; this is where you will meet some of your closest friends, and make great strides toward becoming your desired profession.

Through this blog, I have hoped to reach out to my readers and help them through events that I've already experienced. I want to explain my thought processes, and hopefully make the whole process easier for all of you! That being said, here are my tips for choosing the right nursing school for you:

1. Decide whether or not you want to complete a two-year program, or a four-year program. There are pros and cons to both, but in the end I decided upon a four-year. I wanted a more traditional college experience (four years), and most employers eventually like to see a bachelor's degree. I was lucky to have parents who fully supported me through school... but both routes lead you to RN-dom!

2. If you've decided on type of program, you should begin to look at locations that interest you. Do you want to be close to home? As far away as possible? I chose a school an hour away from my hometown. This allowed me to be on my own and make new friends, but still be close to my family and friends from high school. I got the best of both worlds!

3. Look into the schools that interest you... do they advertise their program's pass rate for the NCLEX? This is important; the lower the pass rate, the less people passing the NCLEX on the first try. You want to choose a school that provides a solid education for passing the NCLEX.

4. Become aware of whether or not your schools of interest require application to the nursing program after a year of prerequisites. I chose my particular program because we started off in the nursing school our freshman year. It was fun to get right into the nursing, and I didn't have the stress of getting into the program!

5. Tour your school-- do you like the facilities? Can you meet any of the professors? If so, do you like them? It is true... you definitely know if a place is right for you when you visit. I definitely felt at home in my nursing school.

6. Finally, take into account the hospitals/nursing facilities surrounding your school of choice. This is most likely where you will be spending most of your clinical hours, and it's important to know if there are many opportunities nearby. It's also possible to work as a nursing assistant during school, and the closer hospitals are to you, the more opportunities you will have to network!

Happy searching to each and every one of you! Xoxo.

My Weekend (8/9)

This weekend was spent mostly outdoors with great friends. My younger sister was also in town, and I love to spend time with her. I enjoyed a few nice dinners outside, and was able to bask in this end-of-summer weather. It's always great to be reminded of what good friends, good food, and beautiful weather can do for a person.

Out-of-this-world grilled cheese... Brie,
Sharp cheddar and cream cheese
on sourdough bread.

Currently, my favorite pair of sandals.
Steve Madden. 

Outdoor family dinner to celebrate my graduation.

Quite possibly my favorite meal of all time. Filet mignon, and baked
sweet potato.

Although I'm not the biggest sports fan, it was fun to end the weekend
with good friends, outside in the sun. 

It Can Wait.

Yesterday, I was browsing the twitter of my favorite blogger, Emily, from Cupcakes and Cashmere. She urged readers to take thirty-five minutes and watch the video I posted above. It's message is simple... Put your phone away when driving, and bring your full attention to the road. It sounds simple enough, but the reality is, many of us are unaware of how dangerous texting can be while operating our cars.

The important thing to remember is that a little mistake can change your life, and the lives of others, in an instant. One text message can mean your life, or the life of someone else.

I lost my cousin in a drunk driving accident when he was very young, and I much younger. He was the driver. One mistake from him meant a lifetime of pain for his family and friends. Unfortunately, texting while driving is just as dangerous and just as prevalent. We all should take a minute to watch this video, and become more aware of our actions. The minute you turn on a car, you are responsible for the lives around you. Please, take it seriously.

Look Alive, People!

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... like to play with makeup.

I'm a big fan of looking natural, but that doesn't mean I don't like to spend my fair share of time playing around with different makeup. I love to try out different products, and when I find something that works, I like to stick with it.

I have found that there are a few products which have been in my every day look for years. I'd like to share these with you, as they help me to look more awake during those twelve-hour shifts! I'm sure those who work with me appreciate it, because otherwise... ouch.

1. Essie: Ballet Slippers ($8). This color comes off as a very sheer pink on the nails... If your facility      allows nail polish, this is the perfect natural color for work!

2. Nyx Matte Eye Shadow: Dark Brown ($4.99). I use this color for my brows. Being a fair-skinned blonde, I need a little color to show that I do, in fact, have eyebrows!

3. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer ($30). Again, being fair, I like to put a little bronzer on in order to look more alive! This bronzer works wonders... not too dark on my fair skin. It's a little pricey, but this lasts me a long time!

4. Benefit Boi-ing Concealer ($20). This concealer is a miracle worker. After working long shifts, especially overnight, I look like I haven't slept in weeks. I find that this completely conceals everything!

5. Urban Decay: Naked 2 Palette ($50). Okay, this is definitely very pricey. I have, however, been using this palette for a year now, and it's still going strong! I own both this palette as well as the first Naked palette, and they both are perfect for everyday wear.

6. NARS blush: Mata Hari ($29). As a fair-skinned girl, I can be a little weary when buying blush. Although this looks like a bold color, a small amount can be just enough to brighten your face.

7. NARS lipgloss: Turkish Delight ($25). Though it's not exactly practical to wear lipgloss to work, this color is so sheer and pretty that it's perfect for an every day look.

8. I typically will try any drugstore mascara, and I've tried many. There are very few that I don't like, but at the moment I am particularly fond of Revlon's Lash Potion!

I hope this is helpful for those of you who are looking for makeup suggestions, or for those (like me!) who are just curious about what others are wearing.

Please follow me on twitter, @nurse_things. I would love to talk more directly to everyone reading, and also get suggestions on future blog posts!

How I (eventually) Passed the NCLEX

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... need two posts to finish a topic.

Okay, so now that you know part of my background story, I'll get to the stuff you really want to know. If I didn't pass the NCLEX on the first try, what did I change? What did I do differently when I had a second chance? The most important thing, I truly believe, was that I changed my mindset.

After taking (and failing) that first test, I was definitely the most depressed I've ever been. What got me out of that funk, in all honesty, was my mom reminding me that I was smart, and that I could pass it. After all, if I could get through four years of nursing school, I should definitely be able to pass this test.

I then moved to motivational techniques, as I pointed out in my last post. I changed the lock screen of my phone to the picture I attached, and added this picture to the background:

It sounds cheesy, and it was... but it worked!

Once I was back in the game, I got to work. I researched what would work best for me, and also looked back on what helped me pass the HESI exam (again, I'll come back to that topic another day).

1. My first step was to purchase the three-week course from NCSBN Learning Extension. I had utilized this resource for the first NCLEX, but I had only done the content review. In my opinion, I don't think that reviewing content was as important as practicing questions. This course also offers hundreds of questions, which I completed multiple times in the 45 days before taking the second test.

2. I also purchased LaCharity's PDA  book, as these types of questions are frequently asked, and important to know. I found prioritization questions to be my downfall, and this workbook definitely helped me to realize what kind of answers the test was looking for.

3. My friend (who had passed the first time) let me borrow her Saunders Comprehensive Review and the Saunders Q&A Review. I focused mostly on the subjects I was weaker in, and really read through the rationale for each question. I felt that the Saunders books did a great job of explaining why some answers weren't correct, which better helped me to understand the NCLEX in general.

4. Finally, I spent a lot of time on allnurses.com, which was a good and bad thing for me. I found a lot of helpful tips on the forums, but it also caused me to worry way too much on things I wouldn't have known if not for the website. So, definitely use the resources... but at your own risk! I really reviewed two study guides I found on the site: Study Guide #1 and Study Guide #2. Again, I can't confirm every fact on these study guides, but I read over each twice, and passed!

The day before the text, I read over each study guide once. I had planned on not studying at all, but I felt like I should. You have to do what feels best for you. I got my hair done, otherwise, and tried to relax the rest of the day.

On the day of the test, I felt much different than I had felt the first time. My dad drove me to the testing center, which I would recommend if possible, because it helped me to stay calm. The entire experience was so different that it was unbelievable. I sat down, and began the test... before I knew it, I was on question 75. When I hit the submit button, I couldn't believe that it shut off. A smile spread across my face, and I knew I had passed it.

For any of you with severe testing anxiety, know that it is possible to stay calm during the test. I did the second time, both because it was a familiar setting, and because I had practiced so many questions in the 45 days following my first. If I can give you one piece of advice, it is to practice, practice, practice all of the questions that you can. It will help!

If any of you guys have questions, please feel free to comment. I will be glad to answer/help in any way that I can!

Second Chances

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I... need a practice round.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a creature of familiarity; new situations, especially when it comes to high-stakes testing, gives me some anxiety. Fortunately, I have not found this anxiety transferring into the clinical setting. If that were so, I would definitely need to reconsider this occupation.

No, my anxiety mostly seems to come about only with testing. The kind of testing that is seemingly pass/fail. The kind of testing that you have to pass to become a nurse. To give you a better understanding of my anxiety, I will list the tests that I have failed on my first try:

1. My driving permit test. (Seriously.)
2. My driving license test.
3. The HESI exit exam (I will elaborate on this topic another day).
4. The NCLEX-RN exam.

Of course, none of these tests were truly "one try" tests, but I had it in my head (of course) that I needed to pass on that first try. This simply set me up for failure, because my anxiety only heightens with that pressure. I'm sure there are many current nursing students with this issue, and I hope that my story can give you the confidence to know that you can pass this test, if not on your first try.

My first time taking the NCLEX, I think I was as nervous as I've ever been in my life. I couldn't sleep the night before, and I was constantly seeing Facebook posts from the flood of fellow nursing students who had already passed. I went into the test ready for it to be over, and while I took the test, I had trouble focusing on anything but the question I was on, and the time I had left.

Although my testing track record may not confirm this, I have never had a very difficult time in school. I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, and that must be somewhat true, as I had all 265 questions. Despite my inability to focus, I was able to somehow keep myself in the game until the very last question. After I left the testing center, however, I was sure I had failed... and I was right.

After days of depression, and jealousy of my friends who had passed, I picked myself up and decided that the only one who could change this outcome was me. And I did! So, if you'd like to know exactly what I did to pass the NCLEX-RN, stay tuned. I will be posting shortly, I just didn't want this post to be too long.

I added this quote to my phone's lock screen
when I decided to get back in the game. It helped.

The Beginning

I'm a nurse, but sometimes I.... start a blog.

I've decided to start this blog after months of contemplation. I've always had an excuse for not writing; I've either been busy with finishing school, or studying for the dreaded NCLEX. Finally, though, I've finished both of those tasks and can now call myself (with great pride) a Registered Nurse.

Through this blog, I hope to share my experiences as a new nurse. I plan on speaking about my NCLEX experience, as well as the adventures of moving back into my parent's house. I'm not quite sure what my life will be like in the coming years, but I can promise that I'm in for a world of change.

I hope you all will join me on my journey... I welcome new nurses like myself, veteran nurses, nursing students, and those who just like to read! I'm an avid reader, I have a passion for organization, I'm into interior design, and I'm looking to try out new baking recipes. Although I will be the first to admit that I'm one of the least athletic people you will ever meet, I'm also seeking a more physically-fit self (although the baking might cancel that out). The possibilities are endless for this blog, because like I said: I am a nurse, but sometimes I do other things.

I may decide to reveal my identity, but until then, here's a picture of my dog.