Tuesday, May 5, 2009

I'm going to Pennsylvania!!

Okay, so this post isn't going to be nearly as exciting as my last two, but as I stated in my last post, I got a job as a nurse!! WOOHOO! After looking for a job for nearly seven months (five month post-graduation) and applying to 125 jobs, I was finally offered a job at the hospital I interviewed at back in March. Trust me...the nursing shortage isn't what people think it is, and it is REALLY hard to find a job as a new grad. However, I don't have to worry about that anymore because I don't have to fill out anymore annoying online applications. (I made a really nice resume that I'm sure no one even bothered to look at because they looked at my "fill in the blanks" resume builder on their websites.)

But let's put all that behind us!

I found out on Friday evening, but I was running my marathon on Saturday so it's not like I could make any huge plans over the weekend. I had talked with my parents about what would happen if I got the job, and we had figured that I would need to leave this coming Saturday in order to find an apartment and get moved in before I start working. Sooooo my dad and I are packing up the car with the essentials and driving to eastern Pennsylvania starting on Saturday. We'll stay overnight with some relatives in western PA on Saturday night and arrive on the east coast on Sunday. I've already got a couple places set up to look at Sunday night, so maybe I'll find a place right away??

In the meantime, I have A LOT to do. I have to try to find a place to live, pack my life, and get ready for a new job. It's all going SO FAST. I don't even know what to do, and I break down at least five times per day. I really don't cry very often, but the thought of leaving home and my parents is SO hard for me. I like being "safe" and doing things that are comfortable for me, but the real hard part is leaving my parents. I know some people have tough relationships with their parents, but mine are so awesome and I am unbelievably lucky to have them. It's great that I'm so upset about leaving them because it means it's been good. My mom couldn't wait to leave home when she was younger because she didn't really have much there. I'm leaving so much behind! I'm excited to turn the page and start a new chapter in my life, but it's definitely really scary.

I'm moving to a place where I don't really know anyone (the Rocket Scientist will be about an hour away...although his parents will be about twenty minutes away...). I'm going to be starting a job as a nurse where I feel totally unprepared. I haven't thought about "real nursing" since December when I finished school...just when I was finally putting it all together! I know it will come back to me...I'll have an eight week orientation and the hospital seems like a great place for learning. I'm going to be on a medical/surgical floor, which is just about as general as you can get. The nurses do EVERYTHING, so I'll get to see and do a lot, but it's scary because I never started an IV or drew blood in nursing school, which I'll have to do! Those are just skills and I know they'll come with time, but I'm worried about hurting patients...there's just so much to consider! Confidence will come with time...

For the rest of the week, I'm finishing up work at the restaurant and saying bye to them. I had my last serving shift today, and my last day is on Thursday when I expedite. I went to the local pie joint with one of my friends last night, and we both had to hold back the tears. We're going out to dinner again tomorrow night. My mom and I are going scrub shopping (woohoo!) tomorrow, and we'll spend the day packing and figuring out what I need to take with me. I keep putting off packing because it makes me so sad to back, so I need my mom to literally be like "Okay, let's go see what you have in your closet."

Oh, and I might have to buy a car in the next couple days. Yet to be determined.

I haven't run since the marathon, but I might try tomorrow. Or I might not. I'm freaking out in general. Sorry if I'm behind on blogs...

Also, if you live in eastern PA and want to give me a heads up on good places to run, fun things to do, etc...please let me know! I'll take what I can get...

21 comments:

  1. Congratulations on the job, Susan! Best of luck as you make this transition. I know you'll rock at your new job, just like you ROCK at running!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congrats on the job!

    You do have a lot to take care of in the next few weeks, but you'll get it done. Good luck & safe travels :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations on the job (and on your awesome marathon!).

    ReplyDelete
  4. How exciting congratulations on finding a job. I hope everything goes smoothly with your trip to PA.

    http://myfirst5k-erica.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is just an exciting part of your life, just think....you are writing the story of your LIFE! When you have kids and you tell them about before they were born you're going to say, "then I got my first job as a nurse and moved to PA!"

    I've moved around a bunch and it was scary every time. But in the end it will be awesome and exciting. You do have the blog and running as constants, so make sure to continue to keep us all posted!

    PS - I don't have any contacts in Eastern PA but if you see Jim Halpert please tell him I think he's hottt.

    Emily

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congratulations!!! That is so exciting! Med-Surg is a great place to get started and you will learn SO much! I am so, so excited for you :) Hang in there with all of the craziness this next little while!! What shift will you be working?

    ReplyDelete
  7. congrats! it does sound like a lot happening so fast, but it sounds exciting too!

    i'l be in philadelphia this weekend (i am from there originally!) -- maybe at some point we will cross paths!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is such an exciting time for you. New job, new town, new experiences, it sounds overwhelming, but it really won't be. Just enjoy everything and your parents are only a phone call away.

    ReplyDelete
  9. New job, new city, new car...all so exciting. It's a bit daunting at first, but you'll get into it and really embrace being in a new place. Congratulations again on a wonderful weekend. So does that mean Philly marathon is in the works for the fall?

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have a really good relationship with my parents too! I'm actually moving back home for graduate school the next two years and I'm kind of...excited. I hate to admit it but they are cool folks!

    I'm not sure how close you will be to Philadelphia, but when I lived there for a semester, I used to run in Valley Forge which is absolutely breathtaking. Good luck with moving! It an awesome opportunity to grow!

    ReplyDelete
  11. How exciting!! I think moving to a new place is so fun. It will be tough but think of all the new places to run, eat, explore.. I know you'll love it there! Congrats again. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congratulations! Even though it sounds like a lot is going on, it also sounds like an awesome adventure and a great opportunity! Plus being near the Rocket Scientist can't be too bad :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Are you going to be in or around Philly? I have a good friend who lives there. I know there's a good running community there--find a running club or something and you will be all set. Girl in Motion and some others from RWOL live around Philly also.

    I am doing the Philly Marathon this fall--maybe I will run into you!

    CONGRATS again on the BQ and the job--I know it seems scary now but you are starting an adventure and every day will be new and exciting.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is such an exciting time for you! If you're not just a little bit scared about what you're doing, then you're not living fully enough. :-) I'm close with my parents too, and it was soooo hard to move away from them (done it twice now) but it makes me really appreciate all the time I do spend with them.

    I agree with Mir, look for a local running club or group and that will help you start to get to know people and get plugged into where to run and stuff. Good luck with the next couple of crazy weeks and all your RBFs are out here cheering for you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's scary, but a good scary I hope? Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Congrats on the job! Good luck with the move and finding an apartment!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I read your marathon recap..you are awesome! You were amazingly fast!!

    Best wishes for your move and start of your new job. It's so exciting and scary at the same time. I'm getting a little sad to leave Columbus this summer, too because I feel like I just got to know everyone and the city....but new adventures await.

    Keep us posted on everything!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Try to move somewhere that has a lot of great roads and trails to run on! When I moved into an area that forced me to run on concrete more I started getting a lot of knee pains. I'm paying for it now, 6 months later. http://www.seriousrunning.com/blog/health/knowing-when-to-take-a-rest-from-running/

    ReplyDelete
  19. It's so scary isn't it? Starting a real job, moving out, moving away...but you will love it I'm sure and you will learn quickly. Congratulations on finding a job and good luck with packing!

    It's tough but it will be worth it!

    ReplyDelete
  20. How was the last day at work? How are you doing? Excited? Stressed? Overwhelmed? All?

    Is it weird that I am sad you are moving, even though we have never really "met"? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. congrats on getting a job! i'm so excited and proud for you! You'll do great. Make sure to post about your life as an official rn now!

    ReplyDelete