Moving on

Yesterday was our final day of classes. The very last time all 45 of us we will chained to uncomfortable desks be forced to be in a classroom listening to lecture. It's a bittersweet moment for many of us. Some will not see each other again until graduation. Next week we all disperse to our rural placements. Many will not be returning to Medicine Hat next fall for senior practicum. The next seven months will largely be independent study. 

One of the benefits to being a mature student is that my life is already pretty much established and things aren't going to change much for me. I'll miss the interaction with the other students, but most of the girls I am closest with will remain here and I'll still get to see them fairly often (I hope). Plus I still have my very full life outside of school.

A bunch of us went out for lunch yesterday at our favourite little cafe to celebrate.

I've struggled with the social aspect of school for the past three years. I felt hurt when I was not included in the invitations to go out on weekends and such. But what I just realized is that even if I had been invited, I probably would have stayed home. This was extremely evident last night when it took me two hours yesterday afternoon to convince myself that I should indeed meet everyone at the local pub for celebratory drinks last night. I did go and I had fun, but I was awfully glad to come home to my wonderful little nest. I'm not 22 years old anymore and I prefer to spend my downtime with my family.  My favourite social moments from the past years are the impromptu lunches and get-togethers. I didn't spend my time as a social butterfly, but will walk away with some cherished friendships. It's bizarre to think that three years ago I didn't even know these girls, but now I can't imagine life without them.

In less than 7 months we will don our crisp white nursing uniforms and march across the stage to receive our pins and nursing caps. 

I realize that I sound more than a bit maudlin today. It's a weird sensation, this moving on. But I'm excited too. I just can't wait to really be a nurse. It's been so long. I'm looking forward to going to rural practicum and getting the hands on training. However, mostly right now, my tired little self is looking forward to doing NOTHING even remotely school related for the next week!