Feature Friday: Tips For Your First Weeks In Nursing School

Happy Fri-YAY! I wanted to put together a blog post for all those who have just gotten started in Nursing School. Either those who are beginning their first few nursing classes or those who are coming back in to excel their degree or obtain a new one. Nursing school is TOUGH. It’s so much work, stress, and I honestly still kinda feel like ‘I’m in a bubble’. It’s getting better (especially since starting a real RN job), but it’s been a whirlwind the past 18 months.

Remember that you got into the program for a reason. It’s something that I CONTINUE to remind myself over and over again. It wasn’t a fluke, you have the potential to become a great Nurse. You already have so many tools in your belt to succeed.

One bad grade does not dictate anything. I have completed bombed quizzes or exams and I still passed with our 80% exam requirement. Maybe you had other stressors going on at the moment, or maybe you need to assess a different study technique. I didn’t always click with all of my professors-> which meant more ‘teaching myself’ and less relying on their lectures.

Find a study technique that works for you. This one took me almost 9 months to finally figure out. I always though that flash cards & extensive notes were my jam, but actually reading (& less notes) and talking through the patho helped me with every subject. While I can’t take back those 9 very stressful months of constant notecard making- I feel prepared to take future classes and succeed in them.

Find your study tribe and take time away from your books. Balance, self-care, & support from others is absolutely necessary. This really is the key (I believe) to everything in life-> you can’t do it alone and you certainly can’t take care of others if you can’t take care of yourself.
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-What tips do you have for new nursing students?
-What way do you learn and study best?

Workout Wednesday: Pre-Run Warm-Ups

I’m not entirely sure that I’ve ever had so many words that started with ‘W’ before in my blog title! I have a love-hate relationship with warming up, BUT it is SO important! Especially as the months get colder, your muscles are generally tighter. Tighter muscles = more prone to injury (& also just unlikely to perform to their optimum).

Remember to always consult your primary healthcare provider before starting or adjusting to a new health program. I have also found that warming up helps me get excited to run. This is super helpful when it’s chilly and dark outside.

While running is a very forward-backward motion, it’s important to warm-up all of your muscles and to move outside of the normal ‘running rhythm’.

I also know that I always warm-up before any sort of race, but it’s funny how that’s an exception. Remember the saying - nothing NEW on the race day (& that includes warming up).

I always start with a super conservative first mile as well (especially important if I’m tired/ sore/ it’s early/ I’m just not feeling it)- it’s the same idea of warming up your body and muscles for the movement that you’re going to be doing.

I also like to remind myself of making bread when I want to slack on my warm-up routine: To make really good bread, you knead it first (get the temperature warmer so it can rise). Same idea with running-> nothing cold ever works that well.
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-Do you warm-up before you run?
-How has your pre-run routine evolved over time?
-Anyone else enjoy kneading bread?!

7 Things

Happy Monday! I’m all over the place with starting a full-time work schedule. Happy. Sad. Nervous. Excited. A bit overwhelmed. I know it will get better, but still feeling all the feels. At least I had a beautiful 10 mile run yesterday.

Followed it up with an 8 mile bike ride with my Mom and then some Hot Cocoa.

This is my latest obsession post-run. Lots of protein and tastes delicious.

Also ran on our treadmill Saturday afternoon and obsessed with the iFit feature where we can run on various trails around the world. I did the second half of the Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon with Sally McRae and it made me miss racing even more 😭

Also obsessed with our Home Gym. It’s my favorite space in our house.

Our lawn was a fun cleanup Saturday. We finally found some green grass after raking up all those leaves. Thankful for my mom and her husband who came over to help us out.

I missed this furry one so much last week. I think he knew I missed him…

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What do you top your shot Cocoa with?

Anyone else have a love-hate relationship with leaf pick-up?

Workout Wednesday: How To Start Running

Happy Hump Day! I’m on Day 3 of orientation and it’s been a lot of videos/ self-guided learning. We also got fit-tested for two different types of respirators (N95 and 7700). It’s funny how you definitely feel like Darth Vader when you try those out! I also got to explore the new running trail that’s here- Rail Trail that extends for 57 miles! I certainly didn’t run the full trail, but I did get in an easy 7 mile run.

I thought it would be a good idea to share some tips on how to start running or pick-up running again since physical activity is SO important during the Pandemic. Maybe you’ve tried running a few times, maybe you got injured, maybe you thought it was too hard, or maybe you’re just unsure if it’s for you. ALL of these thoughts are OK- they are normal! Be kind to yourself and know that starting any new activity takes time and patience. You will not be super fast at the beginning nor will you be crushing all the miles (it took me 4+ years of on-again off-again running to even get above a 10:00 min/mile and over 35 miles a week).

Tip 1: Start Small

Start with run/walks (maybe 30 seconds running/ 1 minute walking) and go for a short distance. Do this for several weeks and don’t try to run everyday. Maybe you do this once a week - that’s great! Maybe you can start to do it two times a week- something is better than nothing! Be kind to yourself.

Tip 2: Get some good running shoes

I remember I had some really terrible shoes when I first got started (pretty sure they were on super sale and were not meant for running) and that didn’t help me stick with it. Now, you do not need to go spend a lot of money on gear/running shoes - just make sure to select shoes that fit well, meant for running, and you feel GOOD when you put them on. I can’t tell you how much better I run and feel when I’ve got on gear that I LOVE.

Tip 3: If it feels hard, then know that is NORMAL

Running is hard work and there are very few runs that feel really good. Remember- if you feel pain/short of breath -> this is NOT NORMAL. Also remember to see your physician before starting any new physical activity routine. It’s funny how as children, we would always run everywhere and then somewhere along the way, running no longer felt ‘normal’ -> just really really challenging. I was certainly never fast (nor will ever be breaking records), however sticking with it and training helped me get faster over time.

Tip 4: Be patient

Nothing good ever happened over night and it typically takes 21 days of starting a new routine to make it stick. I always find that starting a new routine is easy for me for the first 10 days or so, but then that third week is when it gets challenging. Know that this is normal and to stick with it. Find a support system, a buddy to go on runs with, a race to train for, or a goal to work towards. Maybe you want to run for a mile/ a 5k (3.15 miles)/ to the next stop sign. Whatever your goal is, be your own cheerleader. Be kind, be patient, be persistant.

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What tips do you have to someone wanting to start (or start again) running?

What helps get you out the door?

Anyone else find that 3rd week really challenging?

7 Things

Happy Monday! We got an amazing delivery to kick-off the weekend 🤩

Our new Nordictrack came in and it took us a few hours to get it inside the house and set it up (the delivery drivers had to drop it outside the home because of COVID). It wasn’t too bad (we got it all inside before it started pouring rain) to carry everything in with two of us (thankfully Alex is very strong) and put it together. We also celebrated our 6th date-aversary with dinner take-out from our favorite little Italian restaurant-Vitos. I’m really just a huge fan because of their cannolis (although everything is honestly spectacular).

And yes, we watched Jeopardy while eating dinner. Normally we eat at the table, but splurged and watched TV with our dinner. I got a new iPhone Saturday (11 Pro) and wow, are the photos just amazing. I really feel like a professional photographer when I snap a photo in portrait mode 😂

I’m almost finished with Running Home by Katie Arnold and wow, does this book really want me to run another ultramarathon. How she describes the longer distance races is exactly how I feel.

Got our fill of Apple Cider donuts on Thursday (we went to the Apple Orchard again with my Grandmother this time) and I’m just really wishing October will never end.

They also taste really good after a long-run (FYI 🙃). We got out Sunday morning for a hike out to Rattlesnake Pool near Evans Notch. We didn’t see any rattlesnakes (thankfully), but this gorge was amazing.

Finished the weekend with my usual Sunday afternoon 8-mile loop and Core Strength with the Peloton App (just finished the 4-week core challenge!). It’s just a sea of orange leaves around here and I love it. I start my new job today, so feeling excited/ nervous/ ready to get through the week-long orientation and into a groove of 12-hour shifts.

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-How was your weekend?
-Favorite Italian dessert?

-Anyone else getting the itch to race again? Tips for curbing it?