Nursing School..... Anyone?

Lately, I have run into so many people that are trying to get into nursing school. The direction that healthcare is going AND the fact that we need more nurses, makes the career choice very promising and safe... job security. However, nursing schools are really competitive. I have heard multiple reasons, but from my experience, it takes a lot of time to train someone and there are not enough professors and clinical faculty out there to train everyone who wants to be a nurse. Also, because the career is so popular right now. there are TONS of people trying to all apply right NOW. Hospitals need to have room to have schools bring their students in. You cannot flood a unit with nursing school students and overwhelm the nursing staff caring for patients that day.

How in the world did I end up in nursing school? To be honest, I knew I wanted to go into healthcare, but I did not know what I wanted to do. I KNEW I did not want to be a doctor. I was an exercise science major, a pre-med major, a physical therapy major, athletic training major, AND I took finance, ballet, swimming, weight lifting, accounting, architecture 101, and physics..... Did I mention I have a minor in physics? I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. Serve God. Get married. Have babies.... That is what good, Christian women do, right?

I applied to nursing school because I figured, I only needed one more class to get in, and it was health/medical. I also liked the idea of being a nurse practitioner because I saw one at CVS one time..... yeah, really well thought out, right? I also wanted a job that I could feel like I was really helping people..... SCORE.

I attended the University of South Florida all 5.5 years of my bachelor degree experience =) I LOVED IT. Nursing school however, sucked. Do not get me wrong. I loved what I was learning, but it was HAAAAARRRRD. I was not expecting it to be that hard, so I think that is what my problem was. Not only were the subjects hard, but the GIRLS WERE CRAAAZZZZYYYYY. Seriously, that many women in one class room is dangerous. People would freak out about test scores. Girls would argue with the teachers about why they thought an answer should have been right on their test (you know, in their professional opinion). After tests, I would RUN to my car to get away from the anxiety that was suffocating the LIFE out of me. I had to quit my job and move back home because I could not work enough hours to live on my own....only thirty minutes from my parents' house. However, I was determined to still have a life. I trained and ran a marathon. I got engaged, planned a wedding, and got married. I was involved in my church. I slept at least 6 hrs a night.... Unless there was a test the next day. I am certainly not superwoman....and there were girls that got better grades than I did....AND could recite the entire text book. But I ended up doing well and LOVING my education.

My main two points are this: If you want to get into nursing school, you have to keep your grades up because it is competitive. You may not be able to have extra spending money for that pair of shoes. You may be the only one of your friends that actually has to study....BUT DO IT. Make that harder choice and study your butt off. However, if you just want a job, and you are not ready to wipe bodily fluids from unspeakable places, please change your major and make room for someone who really wants in. This is the type of job that people will be able to tell if you are passionate about it or not. Your patients will go home and talk about their GREAT nurse, or their AWFUL nurse. Not very many people remember their physicians in the hospital.... but they remember their nurse.

Warning: When you become a nurse, you over analyze everything. For example, when I was running yesterday, my friend and I were talking about whether or not we were forming collateral circulation while we were running. I worry when Clay drinks liquid diabetes Coke. I cringe when someone coughs without covering their mouth when they cough.......

Any nurses out there have anything to share to people wanting to go to nursing school?

A night out with the FAM

(I covered my mom's face on purpose in the bottom pic because she did not like that pic of her and I did not have her permission to post it... LOVE YA MOM)

Last night we trucked over to Tarpon Springs in my parents' suburban with our good friend Abram. I love this Tarpon Springs. The community is mostly Greek and the food is ahhhhhhmazing. My parents found this little hole in the wall grill called "Miss Vicki's" that is tucked behind a yacht club/storage center...marina....I obviously do not have a yacht because I do not know what it is called =)

Anyways, we sat around, ate boiled peanuts, and watched the sunset. I was starving from yesterday's run (remember, I eat like a man when I run) so I ate all of my Greek Salad (authentic too.... feta, romaine, tomatoes, olives, home-made potato salad, and not a lot of dressing....yum!) and a few bites of Clay's turkey sandwich.... pressed in REAL Cuban bread. Afterwards we ended up back at my parents' house, drinking coffee, eating dessert, and watching House Hunters on HGTV =)

RUNNING:
I felt really good after my run yesterday. I think the CEP Compression socks really helped my legs feel lighter... You know that feeling after a long ruin when your legs just feel like cinder blocks are under your feet??? Today after church I plan to catch up on laundry and go run at least three miles. My legs feel tight and need to be loosened up. Have a good day!!!!

Oak pollen,10 mile run, and STARBUCKS

I always enjoy spring time because the weather is getting warmer, the days become longer, and the beach is so beautiful here in Florida. Thankfully, the humidity is under control as well. However, this time of year does not come without a price. If you have allergies, then you understand. I HATE OAK POLLEN. It coats my car, gets caught on Ernest's paws.... so it ends up coating my floor, and it makes my runs quite difficult. This year, we had an extremely cold November and December. Apparently, this made the oak trees pollinate EARLY and MULTIPLE TIMES. In our neighborhood, there are oak tress everywhere.

(TONS of oak sperm... yes, that is what it is)

A few weeks ago, I tried to go for an afternoon run in my inlaws' neighborhood. I love running in there!!! However, it was in the afternoon so many people were outside working on their yards.... SOME GUY WAS BLOWING OFF HIS DRIVEWAY AND I GOT COATED IN OAK POLLEN. I have never had asthma, and I was a very healthy kid, so I have never "wheezed" before. I used to listen to Clay's lungs with my stethoscope when he would wheeze. I would try to identify rhonchi, crackles, stridor, rales,or wheezing lung sounds in my patients, but I HAVE NEVER BEEN THE ONE WHEEZING. Anyways, so I have started taking Nasonex (nasal spray... it is a steroid) once a day, Zyrtec once a day (if I remember), and Benadryl (only after an afternoon run). I have found that if I run in the morning, the dew keeps the pollen somewhat pasted to the ground and I do not wheeze. I also try to always take a handkerchief with me.... There is nothing worse than having the sniffles and trying to breathe right while you are running.... no good.

This morning's long run was divided into two parts. I ran 5.7 miles on my own, at a 7:30-8:00 pace, and then the second part I ran 4.3 miles with my dear friend Stephanie =) We had a great time catching up. She just got engaged!!! I am so excited. Her fiance is amazing... and has an Australian accent =) After my 5.7 miles I ate half of the GU Chomps pack. I felt pretty depleated. After the run, I ate the rest (first I offered Stephanie some though, but they were warm from being in my sports bra, and for some reason, she said no.....) *classy*

We went to Starbucks afterwards and enjoyed a cup of JO. Steph used to work at Starbucks and ordered this drink that somehow, only costs $2.00, but had a TON of stuff in it. She knows her coffee. The barista tried to tell her that her drink is technically a "bla bla bla bla." Steph and I had a little chuckle about that... she is pro. He must be a rookie. I enjoyed my non-fat, grande, misto.... YUM, and a venti water.

I am off to enjoy a day with no homework. In gradschool, there seems to always be homework I COULD be doing. However, the greatest part about midterms is the weekend after... Nothing due for a few weeks. I have not had a lazy Saturday in while. I may go to the pool and lay out, but until this.... This is all I am doing.

I bought the Holiday (Cameron Diaz, Jack Black, Kate Winslet, and Jude Law) for $5 yesterday at the fabulous TARGET... seriously, love that place. I watched this movie like once a week when I was living with Courtney, Katherine, and Caitlin in college, so it brings back good memories =) So I will be kicking back and enjoying a chick flick while Claybo is out fishing with his buddy Kyle.

What are you doing today????

Brain Dead

(Post from yesterday)
I really took college for granted. I used to work 20hrs a week, take classes, go to Bible studies, and still have time for friends.... until nursing school started. Now, I. Work 40+ hrs a week (minimum), go to grad school, manage a household, and attempt to keep a normal running/workout schedule. My brain is fried today! Wednesday's test drained me, but I'm finished now and off to play nine holes of golf with my husband and a few friends.

(I "edited" my work logo off my shirt... that is not a big blob on my shirt)

I took lessons a few months ago with a friend of mine from work.... because we decided to enter the annual golf tournament that our HR departments hosts. I also decided to learn how to play because I wanted to play with my husband...... what can I say, he is the best!

I have not been able to run that much this week. Work and school has been pretty busy. When my weeks are like this, I work out pretty hard on Saturday and Sunday. Not only does it mentally relax me from my crazy week, but I also still get my milage in for the week.

What are you running this weekend????

Test Day

I woke up this morning at 3:00am..... yes, you read that right. Clay got up too and had a cup of coffee with me... I also found this note by the computer:

I only wake up this early if I have homework. I have never been very disciplined about doing homework late at night, so I choose to wake up early. Programmable coffee pot = a must! I Have a test tonight, but I also have a job, so I needed to study this morning so I can take it tonight without wigging out.

I went for a solid, comfortable 3 mile run with my neighbor Courtney last night. She is an amazing personal trainer and I think she is awesome! =) My goal is to go for a long run tonight after this test.... However, Clay has a test tonight as well, so we may just end up going out to eat to celebrate being finished!

Check out these blogs today. I am sort of stalking both blogs.... That is what happens when you do not have cable!!!

skinnyrunner.com

www.pbfingers.com

cookingwithcourt.blogspot.com

Have a good day!!!

Running Gear

A few weeks ago, I purchased my first running skirt. I was skeptical. I mean, my legs are not a tennis players legs, and I certainly lack that gazelle stride that some runners are gifted with. However, I am VERY pleased. I bought it at Target... Of course. I think 90% of my wardrobe comes from that place. The C9 brand by Champion has GREAT active wear. Their sports bras are amazing and their pants fit very well. I have a windbreaker that I got as a gift too....

I really like that the shorts underneath are long enough to make it obvious that I am wearing a SKORT. I wore this thing at Shapes first (all female gym)... I did not want it's inaugural run to be shameful!

(Never-mind how dirty this mirror is)

If you have problems with shorts riding up on you, this skirt might help. It is long enough that it covers your legs while you run, but it is made in a way that allows me to take full strides.

Now, I just have to figure out what to do with this short hair while I run.... It is BAAAAAD.

In recent news, my CEP Compression socks arrived today. I am planning on a long run tomorrow night after my Biostatistics midterm (do not be jealous).... SOOOO I am definitely wearing these suckers while I am working on math problems, cooking dinner, and of course, BLOGGING.

The two things that I have learned that my body needs the most while I am training are COOL DOWNS (cycling, power walking, swimming.... for at least 10 minutes) and FOAM ROLLING. I am thinking these CEP Socks might get added to the regimen.

Well, time to hit the books again! Have a good evening.

QUESTION: If you run, what are the most important injury prevention tools you use?

Cardiooooooo

Good morning! Happy Tuesday =)

Last night's workout: 30 minutes elliptical + 3 mile run on the treadmill. I HATE RUNNING ON THE TREADMILL... But, there was a lady next to me who just joined the gym. We had a great conversation and I was able to talk to her about the benefits of exercise and I gave her some pointers. Thankfully, this made the time go by fast.... again, treadmills = torture.

That conversation got me thinking more about blood pressure (and because I have to go into work early this week to run health screenings on employees). I have written about blood pressure before, but I feel like we over look its importance SOOOOO MUCH. Without treatment, your high blood pressure can damage organs in your body, little by little, without you feeling symptomatic.

Aerobic exercise (walking, swimming, cycling, running.....) increases the strength of your heart, making each beat more efficient (so your heart can push more blood out with each beat, which sends MORE oxygen, QUICKER, to your body). This will decrease your heart rate (pulse) and your overall blood pressure.

(my pulse was RACING right before I walked down the aisle... Of course, my heart rate monitor would have been tacky, but I HAD TO CHECK it =)

When you check your blood pressure, make sure you have been resting for at least 15 minutes prior. The best time to check is first thing in the morning and BEFORE caffeine.


Decrease your sodium intake as well. Sodium holds on to unnecessary water in your body. This increases the VOLUME in circulation. THAT makes your heart work harder. Not only sodium, but PRESERVATIVES in your food will also increase your blood pressure; try to eat as CLOSE to "natural" as possible. Rinse your canned beans and veggies before you cook them. Try not to use the salt shaker at dinner. Avoid sodas and OBVIOUSLY..... avoid fast food =)

For more info on the heart and hear disease, see this site.

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Well, off to work. I think I pulled something in my neck yesterday, so I feel like I can only look straight ahead. I found some of this in an old race goodie bag.....hmmmmm, hopefully this stuff does not expire.