A slight detour

I was chatting with my mentor the other day and mentioned that the more nursing skills I learn, the more frustrated I become with the limitations of being a CNA.  She replied "GOOD!  What are you going to do about it?"

Well, I'll tell you.  Instead of taking the summer off, or working on BSN classes, I'm taking the Transition to Practical Nursing class (with Professor Barb!).  Two weeks of online class, two solid weeks of clinicals, a test, and the LPN NCLEX exam.  I'll have my LPN license by August.

What this means is 1) I can use the skills I learn in school, 2) I'll earn more, 3) I can work as a nurse while I finish up my RN. And the BSN.  And I'll have a head start on the 2-3 years of clinical experience required to apply to a nurse-practioner program if I decide to pursue an advanced degree.  And since it currently takes  a few months to a year for a new RN to find a job in the Denver area, working as an LPN will keep my skills up. Plus, I can say "I'm a nurse."

Missing Miss Puppy

A Secret

We have a secret, you and I

that no one else shall know,

for who but I can see you lie

each night in fire glow?

And who but I can reach my hand

before we go to bed

and feel the living warmth of you

and touch your silken head?

And only I walk woodland paths

and see ahead of me,

your small form racing with the wind

so young again, and free.

And only I can see you swim

in every brook I pass

and when I call, no one but I

can see the bending grass. 

Author Unknown

My crockpot. I think I'll Keep It.

There's roasted chicken under
that tatziki

Today I tried a couple of recipes I found on Pinterest: crockpot rotisserie chicken and naan-like flatbreads.

The chicken is so easy, and comes out amazingly tender.  The only differences from the store-bought kind are the lack of chemicals ( a plus) and the skin doesn't get crispy. I don't eat the skin anyway, so no problem. Just blend some spices, add a bit of water to make a paste, and rub it outside and inside a chicken. Spray the inside of the crockpot, plop the chicken inside, put on the lid and turn on the heat. I put it on the low 8-hour setting.

The naan recipe comes from Chewoutloud.com and is also easy to make. It's probably as close to real naan as you can get without a 900 degree tandoori oven.  The author has a chicken tikka masala recipe that sounds super tasty. I may have to have a dinner party someday soon :)