Drum roll please....

Shawn passed the NCLEX last week!

HALLELUJAH!

And he has a job!  I was a little worried about that part, to be honest, because I have heard a lot of people tell me how difficult it is for new nurses to find work.  Maybe that's true, I don't know, but Shawn didn't seem to have a hard time.  He has been working for a pharmaceutical research company as an assistant for about a month and they just offered him a full-time position as a nurse.  He is very excited and is already working on several different studies about Alzheimers, sciatic pain and such.  He doesn't think he will stay at this particular setting forever since he really wants to do hospital nursing, but it's a foot in the door and will be valuable experience for him.

The rest of us are breathing a big sigh of relief and are having our own little celebration that we finally have the REAL Shawn back in our lives.  The fun-loving and happy Shawn who has been scarce the past while.  I am so happy for him and just bursting with pride at how he stuck through every challenge and overcame every obstacle (and believe me -- there were many) that he came upon.  It's amazing how much stress can negatively impact your emotional well-being, your spirituality and your health.  The past several years have been hard for everyone.  I feel like we've climbed a mountain and now we are finally at the summit.  I know we will have many more to climb in our life, but for now --

we are just going to sit back and enjoy the view.