Tomorrow's the day I've worked toward for 4 years....

So, here I sit on the last day before I become an employed nurse practitioner. A goal I have worked toward for the last 4 years after I went back to school to get my pre-requisites that I needed to start nursing school. Pre-requisites that my MS in Fashion Design didn't require!! (Not much microbiology, chemistry, A/P, statistics needed in fashion)!

I am quietly reflecting (as I drink coffee and listen to my Bulldog Harlan snore beside me) on the path that landed me where I am at this time in my life. Five years ago I was recently divorced with two children (ages 7 and 8), just went through the emotional distress of closing my beloved maternity and children's retail store of 11 years, trying to survive while teaching yoga and swallowing my pride to go to the state of KY and ask for food stamps and insurance for my children, starting community college to take classes required to apply for Vanderbilt School of Nursing, struggling with a new relationship, applying for VUSN, getting accepted to VUSN (incredible), selling the only home my children had ever known, moving our life to Nashville in a U-Haul and starting the nursing program that I often thought must have made a mistake when they accepted the country girl from Gilbertsville, KY with a degree in fashion design.... on food stamps and TN Care (probably one of the few at Vandy). So, here I sit on a Sunday morning with a lifetime of stories to tell about the triumph, tragedies, tears, turmoil and tenacity of pulling oneself from their bootstraps in order to stand tall again!

I am debating on how to spend my final eve of unemployment. My instinct says study, study, study for the unknown of the ER. My friends say relax, go in to work a clean slate tomorrow and enjoy my day , my dog says take me to the park and throw a ball. Maybe I will balance my day out with a little of each.

I have been blessed more than anyone can ever imagine. It hasn't been easy, and I don't expect it to get any easier (although a paycheck will certainly be a plus). But, it has certainly been eventful and the memories I have made can never be replaced!! I hope that someday when I am retired (only after my 174,000 in student loan debt is repayed) I can use these past 5 years of rebuilding my life (and my children's) as a tool to encourage others to NEVER GIVE UP!! Down DOES NOT mean out!!

Thanks to all of you for your prayers (especially when I would send out mass messages for prayer warriors during exams, boards etc), emails, cards and occasional care packages of food, money, clothes! I couldn't have gotten through the past few years without ALL of you and my faith in God!

Onward to the next chapter.....

Love to you all,

Dani Williamson MSN, CNM, NP-C

"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me"

Philippians 4:13

One week from today.....

So here I sit in my new tiny, tiny 900sf home I have rented. Most of my boxes are unpacked (not a big deal since the majority of my life is in storage!). I got my daughter up at 5:50 am today to get ready for her first day of school, we got there at 7:00 am and they wouldn't let her start since I had failed to turn in her paperwork last Friday!! Can you imagine? Not taking a child wanting to start school! Well, probably not wanting to, but certainly up and dressed and not happy about being turned away! So, we have had a good day hanging out and getting ready for her second first day at LOMS!!

I went and opened my banking accounts, saw the CPA and found out how much to expect to be paid to Uncle Sam (at least 36%) of my income!! Since I am an "independent contractor" I am self employed and pay more taxes than if I were "employed"! So, one paycheck for bills, one for student loans and one for the IRS!!

One week from today at 6:30 pm I start my first shift as the newest ER NP (with NO ER experience just women's health and family practice). I am a nervous wreck! Words can't even describe the turmoil in my stomach at this time. I pray to God it isn't as traumatic as I am expecting! Looks like I will be on the whole week of Thanksgiving and then off for a week.

Looking forward to next Tuesday making my first official blog entry as an NP!

Oh and did I mention that I have NEVER dictated a thing in my life, and that is ALL you do at the hospital! I am horrified. And must go practice my "speed dictation"!! I pity the transcriptionist at the other end of my dictation the first week or so! My mom has transcribed for 30 plus years, she has told me horror stories of new graduates!

Moving Day 2009......

Harlan Howard Jones and me on the way to KY.....more later on the events of the moving day!

U-Haul's and Life......

As I am getting ready to go pick up the U-Haul I have rented today, I am wondering just how many single mom's, single dad's, families, etc. have rented this same U-Haul and loaded it with their belongings on the way to start a new journey?? Interesting isn't it? If a U-Haul truck could talk.....

Wish me luck as I begin the first leg of this adventure!!

Diary of a New ER Nurse Practitioner: A new day, a new journey, a new challenge.....

Diary of a New ER Nurse Practitioner: A new day, a new journey, a new challenge.....

Tomorrow is the Day....

Tomorrow is the day....26ft U-Haul rented and ready to pick up at 7:00 am. I woke up wide awake at 3:30 am today! Should be an interesting day tomorrow, especially since I forgot to line up someone to help unload the truck when we get to Paducah!! YIKES! Hopefully I can find someone today. Looks like the new chapter in our lives is beginning....

The packing has begun....

Today has been a roller-coaster of emotions as I began packing my basement up to be moved back to Paducah on Wednesday. I have spent the afternoon sifting through a treasure trove of memories from childhood and beyond. Seems like just yesterday that I moved those memories down to Nashville expecting to be here forever!! Plans change don't they?

Since I am now renting a 900sf house, I have decided that unless it is "extremely useful or extremely beautiful"....it is going in the trash, Goodwill or to storage!! I said that when I moved to my current 1,200sf house in Nashville...and I MEAN it now!! No room for fluff in this new home!

The following post was put on my Facebook today by my nurse midwifery clinical advisor at Vandy....it was exactly what I needed to hear today as I was reluctantly sorting through memories.....

safe trip Dani; look at the Woman you have become in the return trip. Aren't you excited to see what ur being led to with the combination of what u brought down here with you(style, spirituality, courage, hutzpah, joynliving, doula, mother, yoga) & what u add & return with graduate degree, RN,CNM,FNP; more maturity, confidence, matuity in Mothering/hood)etc. The Combination and synergy of these experiences/attributes are bringing you to "a plan you could never imagine." You just watch as you and each of your classmates identify and complete each of your special missions.

Off to take some Ibuprofen for my aching back!!!