Merry Christmas!

I have been working like a dog for the past week and will continue to do so until after Christmas, so I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas today because I probably won't post anything until after Christmas.

My very first day.....

As of today, school is over! I am soooo glad. I really need a break about now. Oh, and I just started my new job at a local hospital. The break from school comes at a good time so I can focus on getting used to the routine at work.
My first night at work was last night and let me tell you it was very exciting! Let me tell you what happened......keep this in mind as I tell you, this is my first job ever at a hospital. My shift started at 3pm. I had to talk to the Nurse Mgr. first off so I could sign some forms, etc. Then she called the lady that is going to help me get aquainted with the system and how the floor runs. So, she introduces us and first thing we get called into a room by the nurse to help her with something. So, I'm walking down the hall wondering what it could be, maybe she needs help turning the patient or something. I walk in the room and the patient has passed away! What are the odds that on my very first day at my very first hospital job that my very first patient would be, well would be no longer??? Honestly, people, really?? Don't get me wrong, it was very sad and I am a very compassionate person, but I still can't get over the fact of the "very first" thing. Could this be an omen? Is my nursing career over before it's even really started? I certainly hope not!
After that, we had a code red in the ER! For those of you that don't know, a code red is a fire. The firetrucks came, the police came with sirens blaring. Well, come to find out one of the employees had decided to make some popcorn and kind of burnt it. The smoke had set off the fire alarms which in turn notified the fire department. Someone from the ED came outside to meet them and let them know it was a false alarm. Okay everyone THAT is funny! I couldn't help myself. I couldn't stop laughing! Maybe I was just so relieved that it wasn't me that burnt the popcorn! LOL
The rest of the night went okay. I now have a new respect for nursing assistants. Respect them, they (we) deserve it.

Update

The hospital called me Wednesday afternoon and offered me the nursing assistant position! I am so excited. Not only for the fact of gaining TONS of experience but also for the extra money. Although, I was a little disappointed due to the fact that it takes forever to actually start working! I had no idea I would have to jump through so many hoops to start working. I'm sure all the people out here in blog world that already work in a hospital environment know what I'm talking about. It's very frustrating! I was hoping to be able to get at least one paycheck before Christmas, but it looks like that will not happen. Orientation doesn't even start until the 21st of December! Oh, well. I guess Christmas will come later for my family.

As I was talking with the HR guy yesterday, it was as if he was trying to talk me into working full time. He kept mentioning the tuition reimbursement the hospital offers and it's only available to employees that work at least 32 hours a week. I don't know if I can work full time and go to nursing school. I know there are some people in my class that do, but I'm old! Well, not THAT old, but still. I've got A's in all my classes so far, but will I be able to keep that up if I work fulltime?

I'll have to talk to the nursing director later on and maybe she will let me try it out for a while.