Is That A Light At The End Of The Tunnel?

Last weekend I spent my time up in Seattle, WA taking two of my national board exams for dental hygiene school.  The school I took them at was Lake Washington Technical College in Kirkland- it was actually a beautiful school.  It was on top of a hill with views of the mountains...plus I got to take a floating bridge over Lake Washington to get there!

In order to get my license to practice dental hygiene I have to take SIX national board exams...yes SIX! There's two Anesthesia exams (written and clinical), Restorative (which is doing fillings on a dentoform), Process of Care (kind of like treatment planning for mock patients), a National Board Exam (which is a 6hour exam of EVERYTHING you've learned while in school), and finally a Clinical dental hygiene exam (which tests your clinical skills as a hygienist).  And did I mention it costs over $2000 to take these?  So basically you better pass :)

My first exam of the weekend was my Anesthesia clinical (I already have passed my written) on Friday.  Of course the night before I tossed and turned and I had to be up by 4:30am in order to make it to the school by 7am for an orientation and clinic tour.  The funny part was my actual exam wasn't until 3:30pm so I got to spend the day sleeping in my car...no really I brought my sleeping bag and pillow!  Since I'm a worry wart I didn't want to leave the school once I was there...because well, I was there!  I didn't want to chance my car breaking down, or an accident, etc.  

Finally after hours of waiting and my heart pounding ALL day it was time for my test!  My cousin so graciously accepted my offer of her being my patient.  I had to give two injections for the exam.  One of the bottom left side of her mouth, and one on the top right.  

My cousin Brittany and I before my test

 I had two examiners evaluating me, and they watch everything you do... They watch you set up your room, get your syringes ready, bring your patient in...then your actual injections.  While you're doing the injections there's several things you have to tell them outloud... Once you're at your penetration site, once you've reached your optimal depth and angle, and the results of your aspiration.  Let me tell ya, this was the MOST nerve racking experience I've ever been through.  Giving injections is no big deal for me, but man I couldn't get my hands to stop shaking for the life of me, and they never shake!  Luckily the examiners were very friendly and said that everyone's hands shake during this exam, they said they understand it's a huge day for us.  That helped calm me down.  Once the injections are completed, they make you wait...and wait...and wait...


But then...

...I got this little beauty!

I honestly couldn't believe it...I had PASSED my anesthesia board, my first one!  Now I can officially give anesthesia in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, and Nevada.  WHOA!!

Tear filled eyes and a huge smile!

After that day was over I was so exhausted from being nervous all day I couldn't even celebrate...too hard, my cousin and I went to HH then I went straight to the condo I stayed at and went to bed.  Plus- Adam was in NJ for the Army and I really wanted to wait to celebrate with him! 


On Sunday I had my restorative board- and that's where I complete two fillings, one silver (amalgam) and one white (composite) on a "dexter" dentoform.  This test isn't as exciting so I won't go into detail...and I'm still waiting to hear the results, they said it could take THIRTY days.  C'mon!!  

I am still so happy on starting to accomplish this goal of being a dental hygienist.  I have been in college for EIGHT years for this and now I only have six weeks left.  It's hard to believe I'm almost done.