GRADUATION

Well for the 2 1/2 years I have been attending UAMS's College of Nursing. As of yesterday, May 15, 2010, I officially have my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree. This has been such a long hard road. As hard as it has been I can honestly say that I will probably miss it just a little bit. I mean for the last 2 1/2 years I have spent almost every day at this school. I have made some fabulous, life-long friends. I will really miss seeing them every day.

For more exciting news, I received an award from my instructors for demonstrating academic ability and leadership in professional activities. I can only expect that this award stands for a lot of the volunteer activities I headed and for chairing the Community Service Committee. I did both of these because I love to do them not for the recognition but I do have to say it was really nice to get recognized. It was a complete surprise and it came with a little bit of a cash prize which was REALLY nice.

I will leave you with a few pictures of Friday and Saturday night. Yes, we had a two ceremony's. Friday night was a recognition ceremony for just the College of Nursing and Saturday was the actual commencement. Both were very long and slightly boring but glad it is done with.

This is me with my wonderful and oh so supporting husband. I could not have done any of this without him. He has pretty much graduated with me and deserves a degree all to himself. He has held me as I've cried, laughed with me, forgiven me for taking my anger and tiredness out on him. Nursing school is not easy and it has definitely put a hitch in our marriage at times. Through it all though he has been there. I am so lucky that God choose the perfect husband to go on this journey with me.

My beautiful daughter, Jayci, and I. She has been such a trooper through all of it as well. It probably doesn't even really effect her but it has. She has crawled up beside me while I was studying with her coloring book and crayons several times just so she could do her "homework."

This is Jayci and I with my mom. She lives in Illinois and came down for graduation. We had a really good weekend with Mimi.

A few of the greatest future nurses. Holly, Mary, Me, and Stephanie. Each of us are a little different but I don't think I could have made it through school without such great women to go through it all with.

My family!

My mom and I

This is Saturday night before commencement. It was kind of bright so Jayci pretty much refused to look at the camera.

Me and my girl! She matched mommy in her white and black! And yes it was on purpose. Ha

Just me after graduation! Kristen B. BSN, RN!!!

My wonderful aunts organized me a wonderful graduation party. It was more than I could have ever asked for. Hopefully I will get pictures from my aunts soon and be able to post them.