November is upon us…

And it was 72 degrees today. I can’t remember the last time I went anywhere in just a t-shirt, but today that’s exactly what I did.

I also took some time to enjoy Carrie Underwood’s new cd while driving around the Indiana countryside with my windows down. Today’s route included highway 2, to highway 6 and on to highway 149/130 to get back into Valpo. One of the few things I do love about living here is the abundance of great driving routes, when all you want to do is drive and relax. Back home, I have only one.

Last weekend I was in Phoenix for the National Student Nurses Association Midyear Conference, which was more disappointing than anything. Last year I think there were almost 150 exhibitors at the event, including hospitals from all over the country. This year there were 4 hospitals and 70 total exhibitors. Statistics show that 1 in 3 nurses who graduated with a BSN in 2009 are unemployed. When I started nursing school, I was told that I would have multiple offers before I even walked across the stage at graduation. These days, most hospitals are in hiring freezes, and a lot of nurses who recently retired are coming back to fill what positions are available. Needless to say I was glad that Southwest gave out free drinks to people who flew on Halloween, and that the guy sitting next to me who seemed to have robbed a flight attendant with the stack of free drink coupons he had, was in a sharing mood. (for the record, Bailey’s and hot chocolate is delicious)

Larger hospitals tend to have a “nurse graduate” program, and the ones that I’m looking at right now do. I’ll start applying for those positions in February/March and hope that my passion and willingness to learn can overshadow my lack of actual experience. Those jobs usually have a signing bonus, start in June, and pay for the NCLEX prep before I sit for the boards in July. Hopefully they’ll understand that the summer after graduation is typically full of weddings, and I’ll be able to help my friends celebrate, all over the country.

So that’s the best case scenario- and for the time being, my plan of action.

Right now, I’m going to watch Taylor Swift on SNL, and enjoy the fact that I don’t have to get up at 4am on Monday.

Love and miss-

p.s. Dear Starbucks- November 1st is FAR TOO EARLY to release your red Christmas cup. I will boycott you until I feel I can fully enjoy the season.