A Cricut Vinyl Project

I received this cup from a Baptist Nursing Fellowship conference I attended, and I knew I wanted to Cricut something onto it to make it into something special.  After a little creativity and time with the Cricut, this is what I came up with!  Fun!

Libby App by OverDrive

This app, "Libby" by OverDrive, has been a game-changer for me!  A friend at work told me about it and I have been hooked ever since. Using my library card, I can access thousands upon thousands of books, audiobooks, and Kindle books.  I have listened to "Killing Jesus" by Bill O'Reilly, "Radical" by David Platt, "The Girl in His Shadow" by Audrey Blake, "Kind is the New Classy" by Candace Cameron Bure, and "Lilac Girls" by Martha Kelly Hall.  I have also been able to download to my Kindle and read "The Four Winds" by Kristin Hannah, "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, "It Starts With Us" by Colleen Hoover, "Where the Crawdads Sing" By Delia Owens, and many more I cannot think of, all for FREE through this app!  It has been so neat!

Ohora Semi-Cured Gel Nails

I had to share some of my favorite new finds for my nails!  These are the Ohora semi-cured gel nails that I have been loving recently.  They come in strips that are only semi-cured, so you shape and clip them down to your nail shape/size before curing them under a LED light that is free with the first purchase.  They last incredibly well for me, even working full-time hours as a nurse. They don't chip like polish does for me, and out of the countless sets I've worn now, I have only had one nail strip pop-off.  They stay on well for me, but I can remove them faster than any nail polish.  I can get 2-3 different uses out of each set, each of which last about 2 weeks.  

This is "N Pixie Dust" which is one of my favorites!  I wore it to Disney World this spring because the name was just so fitting :).  It is a sparkly gold with big glitter flakes in it. 

This is "N Felice" which is a stormy periwinkle blue with sparkly accents at the base of the nail.  

This is "N Cream Light" which is a solid pastel pink.  

This is "N Heimish" which is a multicolor set that has a dusky pink, brown, and glittery gold. 

I have also used "N Juliet," a dusky coral color that I always receive so many compliments on yet have no pictures of, and "N Tint Red" which is happy cherry red. 

If you want to try out these fun nails, use the link below for $5 off your first order!

https://i.refs.cc/YoLK6iww?smile_ref=eyJzbWlsZV9zb3VyY2UiOiJzbWlsZV91aSIsInNtaWxlX21lZGl1bSI6IiIsInNtaWxlX2NhbXBhaWduIjoicmVmZXJyYWxfcHJvZ3JhbSIsInNtaWxlX2N1c3RvbWVyX2lkIjoxMzgzNDg2NjExfQ%3D%3D

Nursing School Tips for Success

Hello again, Friends!  Below I have compiled some tips that have helped me out over four years of nursing school - I hope they do the same for you!

1. Use a planner.  It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive - just something to keep everything on track.  Write down all assignment dates, test dates, and clinical dates, and even schedule in time for homework/assignments if needed. 

2.  Form study groups.  Studying with others can bring to light concepts you may have not understood. It's easy to just chat and not get work done though, so make sure you set aside time for productive studying, and then time for chatting. 

3. Teach your materials to others.  Did you know that teaching your material to others actually helps you learn it better?  It makes you think through it and condense it into something you can then relate to another person. This process actually helps YOU!  My friends and I would teach each other the concepts and in turn, it helped us to understand them better.  Teach anyone - a parent, your roommate, your pet, or even a stuffed animal - you will be pleasantly surprised!  

4. Ask for help early.  If there is anything you are struggling with while learning, don't wait until you are drowning before asking for help.  Strong, smart people ask for help before everything is too overwhelming to recover from. 

5. Take time for yourself.  This is so hard but SO important!!  If you aren't taking care of yourself, you can't effectively care for others or be at your best for learning. 

6. Study the material you're not solid on.  Oftentimes our study time is very limited. Make the most out of it by spending the time on the material you feel you don't have a good grasp on, rather than re-studying things that you already understand well. 

7.  Write down questions that arise.  Anytime you come across a question you can't find the answer to, write it down. You may find the answer to your question the farther you study, or if not you already have the question in an easily accessible place so you can email your teacher or ask in class. 

8. Read efficiently.  There is often not enough time to read every page or even every paragraph that is assigned.  Read headers, titles, and topic sentences, and pay very special attention to any boxes, charts, or diagrams. 

9. Make concept maps.  This can help you to see how topics are related, as well as another great way to reinforce or learn the material. 

10. Remember that you are doing amazing!