Hannah White, R.N.

That name looks beautiful. I feel that this needed a post of its own since I will want to look back at this one day and see how far Ive come. I start work next week and I'm excited and nervous!

Starting off, let me tell you a bit about my NCLEX...the dreaded state boards. I decided to take mine in Indiana because that date worked out best for me. My mom, my sister, and obviously myself, all went to Indiana on Wednesday night. My test was Thursday at 8:00 am. The farther we got into IN, the more ghetto it got. Seriously, we were a little scurrrred. As we got closer to our hotel and the "testing site," things were becoming a little less creepy and we were actually by a mall! It was a really nice area of IN and it had a ton of restaurants and a lot of places to shop...my favorite.

I couldn't sleep the night before. I'm sure it was a mix of nerves and a hard hotel bed. Either way, I made it to the testing site on time, took my test, and was pretty confident in my test! I left there being able to shop the rest of the day before heading back home!

Taking the NCLEX is like dealing with the FBI. No chap stick allowed (AHH!), they check your pockets, do a vein scan, thumb print, signature, and picture. The ladies who worked there were super sweet though and made everyone less nervous I believe.

So, I'm officially Hannah White, R.N. It doesn't feel real. AT ALL! I still feel like I'm in nursing school. I feel like being a nurse was always a dream and I felt like it would never become a reality. Now that it is, its weird!

Here are a few pictures from the way there...boredom at its finest.

Yes, mirror pics. Like I said, bored!

We were scared of moms driving and the ghetto-ness.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

High Five for Friday

Hello there. Its Friday. Can I get an Amen?

Well, this has been a good, good week but mainly because of today. I'll explain that on a separate post.

So, top 5...

1) I bought more "stuff" for my apartment. It has been fun but stressful! Ive apparently become so indecisive lately. Why? I'm not sure. Its not just with apartment stuff either. I spent at least 1 hour in Target with my mom last week trying to decide between 2 skirts that I liked. It was miserable. I'm wearing myself out and I know my family is about to pull their hair out! (Ha ha)



2) I laid out in my pool this week. Just the sun and my pool raft. Bliss.



3) I went to Indiana..ghetto Indiana at first then nice Indiana...Why you ask??



4) I took my state boards and....


5) I PASSED MY STATE BOARDS! I am officially a R.N. I am a registered nurse. It still hasn't sunk in yet.. I still feel like I'm in nursing school. Thanks to everyone for the prayers, support, encouragement, and love. I honestly couldn't have made it through without all of you all.

Hooray for Friday...And a darn good one at that!

Study Break

I have been MIA for a few days but I'm back. Basically, my life now consist of studying for my Nursing Boards which are SOON!! Prayers are much needed and appreciated. My days are spent looking at a Saunders book, doing questions online, and reviewing the study guide I made. Man, I am a super interesting person..not.

Anyways, study breaks are absolutely necessary and today on twitter I stumbled across this. I love Ellen. I love Sophia Grace and Rosie. I love Ellen with Sophia Grace and Rosie. Perfect. I try to catch the The Ellen Degeneres show everyday because lets just face it, she's funny. Hope you enjoy!

(Late) High Five for Friday!

I know its Saturday but I didn't have time yesterday to post my H54F! So, top 5 from the week...


1) My birthday was the week. Hooray!

Shew.

2) I continued making my "study guide" to prepare for boards. I'm at 21 pages and counting. Its. Taking. Forever!

3) I went to Buca di Beppo with my girlie's for my birthday celebration. I had never been before and I loved it. The portions are HUGE though so we all got different thing and shared. :]

The picture doesn't do the food justice...or show how big this bowl really was!

4) Going along with #3, I love my friends. I know I've said it before but they are awesome!

Amanda and Kayla

Buca gave me this huge card and all my friends signed it.

Lovely ladies

5) After getting our bellies FULL at Buca, We decided we needed some Orange Leaf as well. This stuff is the bomb and I don't think any of my friends had been before. Sin. Its frozen yogurt goodness with a variety of toppings to choose. AH!

I promise, there was fro-yo under there. You just can't see it for all the fruity pebbles and cheese cake bites.

Burffdayy!

   I turned the big two-one yesterday. People kept asking how it felt to be 21...Let me tell you, it's the same as 20.

   I spent my birthday with friends and family. What did I do you ask? Well...

• I went to the courthouse and got my new drivers license. I got to say goodbye to the old lazy eye drivers license and get a pretty new one. Much better.

• Got my ID picture made for my new job! :)

• I went to lunch with my mom at Zaxby's.

• Watched my friend Ashley go skydiving and it made me want to go again SO bad! I will go another time once I get some cash flowww. I know she had a great time!

• I ate Panera Bread with my sweet friend Sue and she paid since it was burffday! Love that girl.

• Went and visited my favorite family and my favorite little girls, L & C. 

• Came home and chillaxed..perfect!

Waiting for Ashley to jump.

Love these two...and my $10 shirt from Kohl's!

   My buddy Kayla took me to get a pedicure for an early birthday gift on Tuesday. Ive never had a pedicure because my feet are way, way, wayyyy too ticklish. But, I LOVED it. I also got a manicure and we decided to make manicures a monthly girls day! Afterwards we went to Panera Bread and got desserts. Yum! (Yes, I could eat Panera every day of the week...weakness.)

Sir Purr likes to be in our pictures.

   I am blessed with great friends that made my birthday so special! Friday is the real celebration though...going out with all my girls! EXCITED!

It's Friday folks!

I don't think that much could beat last weeks H54F post but its still been a good week.

You know how it works. I write down my 5 favorite (or not so favorite) things from this week and you read so you can see how lame my life is. (Ha!)


1) I graduated on Saturday. Woot. No more school...until I do my Bachelor's. (That's another post, ughh, school.)

2) My bestest friend went back to IL. Sad girl. I love the time we get to spend together!

3) I'm grateful to have time to study for my state boards...the dreaded NCLEX. It just means one step closer to having R.N. behind my name. :] By the way, Happy Nurses Week to all my nurse friends or soon to be nurses! I appreciate all you do!

Pinterest never lets me down.

4) I'm loving having so much "free time" to clean, cook, do my devotions, read, write, etc. I feel so much better starting my day off the right way!

5) I was able to catch up on my favorite show, Hart of Dixie!  I had about 5 episodes on my DVR that were calling my name. Now that I'm caught up, the season finale is next week. boooo.

Aren't they all just precious!? 

This is Wade. He's pretty easy on the eyes. (Via Pinterest)

I hope you all have had a great week!

Devotion

My devotion this morning basically slapped me in the face so I decided I would share it. Its from the book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. (PS. I was in LifeWay the other day and they were on sale for 12 bucks! Go get one!)


May 10

   Do not resist or run from the difficulties in your life. These problems are not random mistakes; they are hand-tailored blessings designed for your benefit and growth. Embrace all the circumstances that I allow in your life, trusting Me to bring good out of them. View problems as opportunities to rely more fully on me.
  When you start to fell stressed, let those feelings alert you to your need for Me. Thus, your needs become doorways to deep dependence on Me and increasing intimacy between us. Although self- sufficiency is acclaimed in the world, reliance on Me produces abundant living in My kingdom. Thank Me for the difficulties in your life, since they provide protection from the idolatry of self-reliance.

*I basically underlined every word while I was reading it.  I needed this today.


Verses- John 15:5
            2 Corinthians 1:8-9
            Ephesians 5:20


Hope you enjoy!

Answered prayers.

   I say, type, and write the word blessed a lot. I truly do feel as though God has blessed me in many ways but one way that Ive noticed lately is through my friends.

   Ive never been the girl to be in a "click". I like having a variety of friends with different backgrounds and personalities.( I guess it keeps things interesting.) A few years back I felt like I always had "friends" but never really had close friends. Does that make sense? I always wanted those friends that I could depend on and call at any moment. I wanted something more then I had which were casual friendships.

  I like to keep what you would call a prayer journal so I can see my prayers as they are answered. I also like to be able to look back months later and see what I was going through during certain times in my life. I remember being in high school and begging God for a group of true friends. (PS. Not saying my friends I had weren't amazing but there were still times when I felt that something was missing.) I needed friends I could relate too on a everyday basis. Friends I could share my struggles with. Friends that would be there for me no matter how many times I screwed up. Friends.

   I also believes that God gives us friends for each season/journey of our lives. Some are meant to stay forever and some are meant only for a time. I am thankful for each friendship that has taught me a life lesson even when I couldn't see it then.

    It just occurred to me last week how blessed I am with true friends. I don't know how it took me so long to realize it but it did. God has given me a group of friends that I know can last  lifetime. A group of girls who are so different yet so much alike. He has equipped each of my friends with qualities and gifts that bless me when they don't even realize it.

Here are a few people that have gotten me through some of my roughest/happiest times in life...PS. If I had a picture of all the awesome people in my life, my blog post would take you hours to read!)

Duh.Obviously my bestest friend in the world is on my list of blessings.


I can't say enough about this girl. So, I'll leave it at that.

Friends through one of life's trials...Nursing School. (I loved lake day!)

Blessings. God knew the right group of people to place together for 2 years!

This girl is like a sister to me. We cry together. We laugh together. We cause trouble together. Perfect.

Dez- this girl is funny. I love our "catch up" days. Brooke- She has listened to my hearts cries so many times. She is so encouraging!

AMANDA PANDA! For real, this girl is my newest blessing. I say newest but we've known each other for a while. I'm so glad to have this friendship. (Look how tan we were last summer!)

In this moment, I realized my prayer had been answered. Sweet, Sweet friends!

Over the years, I see how God has restored many friendships and gave me many new ones. These friends are just some of the few who are shaping me into the person that I am. I am blessed to be able to see my answered prayers. 

It's definitely a Monday...

Random thoughts for today...

• Do you ever have one of those days that starts out bad, gets better, then goes bad again? That's today for me. AH..

• I started the day filling out paperwork for my new job. I also had to have a drug screening done and a physical while at the hospital. Let me tell you, its hard to pee on demand for a drug test. Glad that's over. It still doesn't feel right or normal that I have a "real person job." I've grown up folks. This is real life...my new "real life."

• I ran around town afterwards and got lunch with this girl. She had coupons...success!

• I went to Target today as well. I'm pretty sure I could go there 7 days a week and just walk around. (Addicted.)

• I scheduled my boards for nursing today. AH!! Nervous. (PS- Don't even ask when I'm taking them because I'm not telling anyone. Haha. I'm stubborn.) 

• Tomorrow will be my first day I have to do nothing! I need to start reviewing for boards but I also need at least a day to rest. 

• I bought some yoga pants for only $7.50 while Kayla was here. Deal! She convinced me after seeing hers. They are for real the comfiest pants ever. They should be illegal to wear in public since they are that comfy. (I've wore them today so I guess it hasn't been too bad of a day.)

• I wish we had an Olive Garden and an Orange Leaf closer to my house. That would've made my Monday a lot better! 

• My birthday is next week. Hello 21!

I hope your Monday has taken off better than mine. Here's to a better tomorrow!

Coffee Mug Swap...the results!

If you remember a few weeks ago I announced I was participating in a Coffee Mug Swap over at Susans blog, Suzel Says.  I've emailed Susan back and forth about the swap and she has been so sweet and helpful.

I was paired up with Robyn from Glam Girls Running. Her blog is mostly about running and she tries to motivate others. I admire her hard work and many miles every day. I can't seem to get off my couch yet. This week...promise! If she only lived near me and could make me run then that would be fantastic. Anyways, It took me forever to find a mug I liked and then a few days to send it. I was a slacker. (In all fairness it was during finals week...busiest time of my life.)


So, This is what I sent Robyn... I wanted to keep it for myself!

*Sorry for the picture quality. I snapped this late at night.

Polka dots. I couldn't find a "traditional" mug that I liked. Lurve this one!

A few days later I received a box with this cute box in it...

Those cuties were inside. I for real LOVE them. She sent two and said I could use them for when I got my new place. So thoughtful!

  

I love the polka dots on the inside. (Swoon)

There you have it people. I love having blog buddies! I hope you like my mugs as much as I do!

It's Friday!

Its Friday which means its time for High Five for Friday! This week has been fantastic!!

So my top 5 things should be no big deal...

1) I passed my exit HESI! That's a big deal. If I hadn't have passed that, I wouldn't have made it out of Nursing School. But, God showed me favor and I passed.

2) My best friend in the world, Kayla, got to come down for pinning and graduation. She's even staying for a few days after graduation! EXCITED!

She's the best (and pretty too!)

  3) My pinning ceremony was last night and it was beautiful. I cried the majority of the time. Some were happy tears while other's were sad. I've had a love/hate relationship with nursing school but now i feel lost without it!

*More pictures to come. All pictures were taken by the wonderful Ashley Abell over at Abell Media. I couldn't have done it without my own "personal professional photographer." (That's what everyone referred to her as all night.)

4) I am sooooo glad all my awesome/fantastic friends and family came out to support me. They have all been my cheerleaders from the first day and are still cheering me on. It was an awesome feeling to look out from the stage and see a plethora of people there for me! I feel so loved as I think about yesterday and honestly, i have the best support system!

One of my favorite girls!

The fam bam.

Seriously, couldn't have made it through without this girl.

5) Tomorrow is graduation! Get excited!

Thanks once again for everyone who came out and supported me last night and thanks to those that supported and loved me the past 2 years. I can't say thank you enough! Have a great weekend!

When I thought yesterday couldn't get any better...IT DID!

As you all know, yesterday was fantastic for me. Passing Nursing School and accepting my first job offer was overwhelming to say the least. But why did my day get better? Let me introduce you to my best friend...

This is Kayla.

We have been best friends since I was in 6th grade and Kayla was in 4th. (We were basically babies.) After years of spending all day at school together, all night after school together, and every weekend, I got the call. LONG story short, Kayla called to say her and her family were moving. I can remember the moment honestly like it was 2 hours ago. I was getting ready for school and literally dry-heaving/dramatic/traumatized crying because I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I convinced mom to let me miss school that day and I went and spent the whole day with Kayla. Perfect.

Where did she move you ask? I was thinking they were moving about 2 hours away or so. That's workable. I can do that. EHH! NO! 8 friggin' hours away to Rockford, Illinois. I had never even heard of this place. 8 hours one way... a 16 hour trip. We planned (or tried) to find times we could visit but the visits were at least years apart or on big occasions.

I was thinking the other day about how God has blessed our relationship and allowed us to stay in touch all this time. We call each other when we can and text all the time. The distant honestly hasn't pulled us apart and made us forget about each other like i always feared. I love this girl and God knew I needed her!! She's been the one Ive whined and complained about throughout nursing school, through every heartache with stinky boys, and through every high moment in my life. She rocks.

So months and months back I told Kayla to clear her schedule for today (my pinning!) and for Saturday my graduation. She said she probably could and all was well. Last week she text me and said she couldn't come...devastated! I was honestly tearing up in class. So I was upset because I really wanted her here. I only get pinned once ya know!? So yesterday after all this greatness she text me and said,

Kayla: Would it be impossible for me to come for your pinning and grad still?
Me: It wouldn't be impossible at all!! I'm for real in tears! Come come comeeee!

Beautiful right?

So after she had the clear from both parents I got this text last night at 9:56 pm...

Kayla: I'm coming!!!!!!!!


For real people, I'm SO SO SO excited! She text me this morning to say that her and her sister were on their way! GET EXCITED PEOPLE!


So, That's why yesterday was officially the best day ever, part 2. 

This is the oldest picture I could find on FB of us. All others are on my old computer. 2007 baby! (This might have been the first time I visited Kayla in IL!)

Best day ever...hands down!

     As I write this post, my heart is beaming with happiness and I can't get this smile off my face. This has honestly been one of the happiest days of my life. As most people know by now,  I PASSED NURSING SCHOOL! I cant believe Ive spent the past two years with a group of some amazing people and now its all over. Over. Over. I can't even believe what I'm typing right now. I always knew I would be so happy when this day finally arrived (which at times it felt like it never would) but now I am also very sad to be leaving my friends, teachers, and everything that is familiar to me. Nursing School is sorta like high school. You spend your time at school with the same people year after year. Yes, those people get annoying at times (HAHA) but I wouldn't want to be with any other group of people. Honestly. My friends rock. I can't count the amount of times Ive complained about school but God has held my hand every step of the way and its only made my faith stronger in Him.

     Ive "wrote" this post many times before in my head and I wasn't this sad. As I sit her with tear filled eyes, I am still in shock that I am about to become a R.N. Hannah White, R.N. How beautiful does that look? Yeah, Its crazy to me! I will be responsible for patients lives. I will be responsible to provide the best care possible. I will be responsible for giving medications on times, changing wound dressings, and calling doctors. All that sounds so scary and exciting that maybe another year of nursing school doesn't sound so bad...kidding.

     So, how much has God blessed me? A whole stinkin' lot!!! Today was a day that Ive been praying for for hard core for about 2 weeks. The exit test that our class took today was worth 400 points. Thats a lot! I had my whole nursing career resting on this test. Seriously. I've been praying for God's mercy and love to be poured out onto me and all that was left for me to do was to trust him. God laughs at me because that is a weakness of mine, trust. He knew I needed a lesson in trust so he decided to "put me to the test." As the end of my test was nearing, my heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears, my hands were shaking and I was a nervous wreck! I finally hit the end test button and held my breath. I got more points on the test then I needed. God is good.

     When I thought my day couldn't get any better, I got a call from the HR department at HMH. I had an interview yesterday and it went great. They said I would hear back by the end of the week...Not even 24 hours later and I got a call. I was offered a job on the Med-Surg/Telemetry floor full time!! God is blessing me in abundance today. Foreallll! I did my preceptorship on the 4th floor so I know some of the people on the floor and Im familiar with how some things work. I honestly am one blessed girl today.

   Now time for a picture overload. These are from 1st semester until now, randomized.

Med-Surg 2 clinicals.

Haiti trip #1

Haiti trip #1- My boy, Johnny!

Late night study sessions!

3rd Semester Orientation.

Elementary School clinicals

Goofin' off.

Lake time!

Last semesters pinning ceremony

My favorite teacher, Mrs. Thomas!

3rd semester finals!

1st semester practicing shots!

Keely got engaged!

Haiti trip #2!

4th semester clinicals

1st semester!

Skit day!

I wish you all the best of luck. Can you believe were done? We finished the fight. God carried all of us all the way through this journey and now He is opening the door for another journey to begin. I love you all and Im so glad I was able to spend these crazy, tormenting, fun, long, tear-filled, sleepless nights, and unrelenting joy with you all!