Accomplishment

I finished my final semester of course work towards my MSN degree yesterday at 10:43am.  As I take my exams, I like to circle the questions that I am not 100% sure on.  There were 7 questions circled when I finished.  My heart rate increased a bit once I realized this…because if I missed all 7 I was unsure of, then I would get an 86%.   This 86% was the magic grade that would assure I get a B overall in the class, I knew this because in my OCD-ness I calculated my grade prior to this exam, figuring out exactly how low of a score I could get and still pass with a C, and how high I needed to get in order to get a B in the class.  My score could range from a low of 52%, to still earn a C.  I needed at least an 86% to earn a B in the class.  While I figured that there wasn't any way I could pull off a B - given my highest test score so far was an 82%, I still studied like I could rock the exam.

The term started out so tough - pneumonia and pregnancy paired with multiple tests over the course of 3 long, sick, tiring weeks had me scrambling all term to make up for a couple of barely passing test grades - a 76% and a 78%.

BUT…I dug out of those low grades, and apparently some of those 7 answers I was unsure of were, in fact, correct.

I totally cried when I looked at this:

Exam 4 - I got a 92% yesterday.  The highest test score for that excruciatingly difficult class.

After a week of nervousness, studying, and stress I finally relaxed into a big, hormonal ball of thankfulness.

So thankful that I am forever done studying for final exams.  Thankful for the amazing man of my life, who took on single daddy duty multiple days of the week, without a complaint to support this goal of ours.  Thankful for the sweetest blessing to our family this past year - Ceci - who came every Monday, and loved our kids.  Like really loved them, which made leaving a bit more tolerable knowing that "Ceci Mondays" were a favorite day of the week.  Thankful for my mom who was always a phone call away when I felt not smart enough for this.

A happy dance was had, Redbox DVDs were watched, and Ben and Jerry's fish food ice-cream was chowed…a perfect celebration for such an occasion while almost 35 weeks pregnant.

Now just 360 clinical hours stand between now and July 31st.

So close to being done with this MSN degree, and one step closer to being able to sit for the licensure exam to become an APRN.

Coming from a girl who never felt smart enough to become a nurse practitioner…who just began this journey in hopes of making a career where I could work less, make more to ultimately be able to spend more time as mama, the joy I feel right now is so unreal.

We did it Paul!