Onward!

I wish I had the energy to write a beautiful, compelling and thoughtful post. Alas, I can barely keep my eyes open, so the bare facts will have to suffice. Here's what's coming up the next few weeks:

Feb 16-23: house-sit for someone in Nashville and study like crazy for my board exams. Tonight is my last night sleeping in my current apartment in Murfreesboro.
Feb 19th: I get the keys to my new apartment. I'll move in a few boxes that I'll pack in my car tomorrow.
Feb 23: I'll drive back to Murfreesboro, pack the truck and drive back to Nashville.
Feb 26: Clean old apartment and turn in my keys
Feb 28th: Take my nursing board exams (PLEASE pray!!)
March 4th: start my new job


I'm excited about my new apartment. My current one is old with many annoying quirks. I've been informed my new apartment will have other quirks, but right now, I'm reveling in the thought of having a washer and drying in my apartment. I've been hauling laundry out of my apartment for over 8 years. It's a very tiny studio apartment, but it has all I need. I've been working hard to purge unnecessary items, and although it will be a tight squeeze, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will all fit. It's a mile and a half from the hospital. I can either take the bus for free or pay to park my car at work. I'll figure that out later. For better or worse, the apartment is across the street from Chick-Fil-A. I need your advice on how many times a month I'm allowed to get waffle fries. They are my kryptonite. Please weight in.

I'm going to be working at a Vanderbilt Pediatric outpatient surgery clinic. I'll be working with kids with feeding tubes, appendicitis, and other gut-related issues. I'm excited and nervous. The hopsital is HUGE. I got lost so many times just trying to find my interview.

I'm looking forward to living in a big city again, but I've been so busy studying and working on the move, I haven't had much time to think about that or investigate what I'll do once I'm there. One thing at a time!

And the Adventure Continues!

I was just offered my first nursing job. I'll be working in a pediatric outpatient clinic at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, TN. I don't have a start date yet, but it will be sometime in the next 3-5 weeks. I'll be started off as a patient care tech until I pass my nursing boards, and then will move into a nursing role after I pass. I'll be working 8-5, Monday-Friday, with no weekends, no being on call, and holidays off. I get full benefits right away. I couldn't ask for much more from a first job. It's exactly what I wanted. God is so good.

I won't say much now, because my head is spinning, but I'll keep the updates coming! I have to pack, find an apartment, still study 3-4 hours a day for boards, move, and tie up loose ends here in Murfreesboro. This certainly isn't my first move, and compared to many I've done before, isn't too far away, but boy do I feel like I'm barely treading water. I'll only be 45 minutes away from my family, but considering I live a mile from my nephews right now, it feels like a long way away. Here are some prayer requests:

-I will find people willing/able to help me with the actual move
-I'll find an affordable apartment close to the hospital (that has a washer and dryer, something I haven't had for 8 years!!)
-I'll stay disciplined with my studying
-I'll feel God's peace through this transition

My first nursing interview(s)

I officially like interviewing for nursing jobs. If nothing else, you get to do it in scrubs. That already puts me in a good mood! I traveled up to Vanderbilt, a large and respected hospital in Nashville, and interviewed for 4 jobs in one morning: Pediatric surgical outpatient clinic, diabetic clinic, radiology, internal medicine. They all seem like good opportunities, but I've narrowed my interest to the pediatric and diabetic clinic options. I've already heard back, and have been invited for a second round interview. All the staff I met were friendly, professional, and enthusiastic about their jobs. My hours would be roughly 8:00-4:30 M-F, no weekends, no holidays. Not bad for a first job! And working at Vanderbilt has a lot of perks, like tuition benefits, and excellent health care.

If I accept either position, it would mean a move to Nashville, about 45 minutes from where I'm currently living. It would be a big lifestyle change, mostly for the better, I imagine, because I'm much more a city person, but I would miss living practically across the street from my nephews. I hate finding a new place to live, and I really, really hate moving, but I'm not commuting! It's a lot to take in, especially since I still have to pass boards!

I will likely take my boards in the beginning of February, and I've been trying to study 4-5 hours a day. Thanks for all your prayers and support thus far. I'll continue to keep you posted. If you have any connections in Nashville, please let me know. I'll need a place to live, a church, and a few friends wouldn't hurt!