More Callings

Oh, and in other, more happy news, Jordan and I were called to be in the Activities Committee. We get to help plan the Trunk-or-Treat, the Christmas party, and the Summer Picnic! Our friends, Adaire and Will are the committee chairs, so we get to plan with them. Joyness!

Mice. Gross.

For the past few days, I've been finding little black pellets on the counter-tops. At first I thought they were bugs, and so I'd throw them away only to find more the next morning. Well, the idea popped in my head on Saturday, "What if it's mouse poop!!?" So I called maintenance and had them come check our house out. They left us with some mouse traps and cockroach spray (just in case). We set the traps and today, at 6:38 AM, Jordan heard the tell-tale snap of the trap. I got a little nauseated and then went to check it out. Yep. There was a mouse in there, and he was wriggling, trying to escape. Eventually he died. :( I am so grossed out that there was a mouse in our house! I've been cloroxing the counters and pots and pans every time I use them because I'm so freaked out. I hope there aren't any more.

The New Job...Finally!

Well, it's official! I got the job at a rehabilitation center in the West End of Richmond. The Director of Nursing (DON) called me on Tuesday and offered me not a part-time job, but a FULL-TIME job!! I was so ecstatic! This means I won't have to search around for another job any more. I'm going to be eligible for benefits too, which I've never had in my life. The center is only 1 mile away from my house; it literally takes me 5 minutes to drive there. I had orientation yesterday, and I was the only RN there. It looks like there are four wings, with an RN Charge Nurse (CN), two LPN's (licensed practical nurses), and several CNA's (certified nursing assistants). I'll be on one of the rehab units. And oh my, the rehab facility is SOOOOOOO nice! They just built it and it cost 4 million. They have everything down there! These patients are taken care of very well.

I have been getting my "nursing bag" ready for work. It will have all my papers, clipboards, stethoscope, highlighters, pens, snacks, peppermints, masks, essential oil...all good nursing stuff. The only downside I've really found to this job is that I have to wear ALL WHITE. Boo. The problem with white is that it gets dirty so easily. Thank goodness they'll let me wear my Dansko's though (they're black).

I have another day of orientation on Wednesday where they'll test my nursing skills and medication knowledge. Then I have five days of orientation and I'm on my own! I'll be working every other weekend and three days during the week (not sure which ones yet). Yay for being a nurse...and having a job!!! :) :)

Richmond Mormon Chorale

I totally forgot to tell everyone about this! I have joined what is called the Richmond Mormon Chorale. Basically, it's a serious choir in our stake that sings all around Richmond and even Washington, D.C.! I'm so excited to be a part of it. I haven't really sung in a serious choir since high school, and it's great to be involved in something that will help to spread our love for Christ throughout Richmond.

Last week I had to try out (!!!) and the director, Donna, put me as a first alto, which I'm so excited for. I love singing harmony. Apparently I have a big range, so that was nice to find out too. We have practice every Sunday except Fast Sunday from 6:30 to 9:00. The first week we went through ALL 20 something songs! It was crazy. Yesterday we focused on four new pieces they are adding to the mix. It's going to be so great!!!

Interviews

Well, the interview at the rehabilitation center in the West End of Richmond went very well! I went there this morning, filled out an application, and then interviewed with the Director of Nursing. She kept commenting on how young I am and how she was worried that the CNA's would take advantage of me. I'm looking forward to using my leadership skills to hopefully not let this happen. I think I convinced her that I'm very excited, willing to learn, and desirous of helping patients in their own ways.

The center is amazing. They mainly do rehabilitation for people after strokes, surgery, and other accidents. The rehab place has a kitchen where people can learn how to cook for themselves, a car so they can learn how to get in and out, and all the other basic rehab stuff. I'm amazed! There are three different wings (I think). Two of them hold all rehab patients and are super busy, and the other holds half rehab patients and half long-term care patients. I would most likely be floating around to all the different units, because they are basically the same. Once she clears my references, I will orient for about a week (!!! - short!) and then start working the 3-11 shift a couple times a week. Thank goodness! You have no idea what a relief it is to finally have a possible job. Our savings are continually dwindling and it will be nice to finally start them up again.

I'm going to be reading and re-reading this awesome book I got for new nurses. It is so comprehensive. I'm worried that I will have forgotten everything that I worked so hard to build over the past four years, but all my nursing friends keep reassuring me that I can't have forgotten :) I'm just SO SO SO excited to finally start working and taking care of people!! Yeah!

Musings

Just some random thoughts here...

In Relief Society last week, one of the sisters (an immigrant from Africa) talked about when she joined the church, her family disowned her. She made the most of a difficult situation and developed her friendships within her own ward and then realized - the church is her family. This is how it should be, isn't it?

We are all brothers and sisters of the same God who created this world. We should treat each other like family. We need to love each other, care for each other, and be there for each other. Just treat each other with pure love and Christ-like love (charity) that we all deserve.

Jordan and I recognized this example at a fair our stake held today. He commented on how it seemed like a big family reunion. Everyone knew each other and was talking, playing, eating, just having a good time as member of the church. They acted like family members.

It's my hope that I can have the influence of the Spirit in my life so I can be an example of Christ's loving kindness to everyone I come in contact with.

Job Status Update

Well, so far, I've applied to 32 jobs. I've been rejected from 22 of them, and am still waiting on a couple hopefuls. I've gotten an interview next Monday at a Nursing Rehab place that's only about a mile from my house. This is for a part-time job. The positive thing about part-time is that it usually pays better than full-time and that I can get another part-time job somewhere else. I won't get bored as easily and will be able to interact with twice the amount of people. The bad news is that it's still only part-time, and I need to make a certain income to keep living where we're living. I still haven't gotten any other interviews, but I'm going to be calling all the jobs I applied to in July and August to see if they need any other information and send them an updated resume. It's discouraging but I'm still trying to keep my hopes up.