The Waiting Game

Well, friends, I've got some updates from last time, and I'm actually pretty excited about all of them.

The running thing is actually going quite well. I can now run 2 miles without wanting to die. I really feel like I could go farther, but don't want to up it too soon. So after two more times of successfully running two miles, I'll probably bump it up to 2.5 and go from there. I've decided the goal (for now) is 5 miles. After that, who knows. I actually kind of enjoy running, now that I know I can go farther than 20 feet. I also think it helps that it's beautiful summer, instead of me, inside on a treadmill, wishing I was anywhere but there.

I got my ATT for my boards. I was so excited that I quickly went to schedule it and found out that if I wanted to keep my original start date at work, I was going to have to take boards the very next day. I actually thought about it for awhile. I get such crazy test anxiety (usually for no reason) and surprising myself by going to take boards in less than 24 hours would leave me unable to freak out as much and get them over with. In the end, I opted not to, because I didn't have everything done with Kaplan. And while I know the chance of me failing seems to be miniscule, I want to make sure I've done everything I could. So if I do fail, I get a refund. Or, my parents get a refund. Either way. So, boards are in less than 3 weeks. Thank goodness. Time to move up and move on.

I then talked to my manager at work to let her know my start date was going to have to be pushed back. She called me back when I was unable to get to my phone, and she said we would work with what we had, and she didn't mind. So I'm feeling just fine and dandy, and ready to hang up, since that should be the end of the said message, when she says, "Oh, and the ICU called. They wanted to know if they can steal you from us. If you want to work there, just let us know. We want you to be happy."

Again, my initial thought was ABSOLUTELY NOT. I had already told them no once, I had my mind made up, and I didn't want to rehash that. But then I thought about it. And by 'thought about it' I mean I talked to about 5 different people about what I was feeling. In the end, we all came up with the exact same answer.

I need to start in the adult ICU.

My boss told me it was an exciting opportunity, as well as talking to my parents, Lindsay, Rachelle, and Laura. And that's only this time around. Both Christa and Gongoll had already told me they thought I was crazy to pass this up last time. My instructor had also told me that she wouldn't recommend me if she didn't think I could do it. This just makes sense. I want to be a flight nurse. If the ICU is willing to put time in and train me as a new graduate nurse, and I know that I will be good at taking care of an ICU patient since I spent all practicum doing it...what other choice do I have?

So Donelle at work is going to get in contact with the ICU and tell them that they can have me, and get her in contact with me as well. I am soooo excited. But trying really hard to not, just in case this doesn't work for some reason. The initial offer was two weeks ago already. The ICU has 7 open nursing positions posted online right now, so I would imagine they still need help. But still. Trying to be cautiously optimistic. I'm hoping to hear from the ICU tomorrow. But we all know how well I wait.