First Day on 3 South

Those of you who decide to read my blog should know that I don't think that I have anything particularly profound or enlightening to say.  I'm just a girl on an adventure who likes to comment on things that happen around/to her.  Take it as you like.


I moved out to the California desert about 18 days ago, and so far things are pretty great.  It has been about a billion degrees (more like 108-112 or so, but I'm dramatic) but now it's finally starting to cool off and it's absolutely gorgeous.  I'm living with my Aunt Debbie and she is really helping to make this transition into being a real grown up fairly easy for me- introducing me to everyone and taking me places, along with letting me take over her apartment- what a saint.  We also got to go to the beach last weekend up at Encinitas, which was gorgeous and totally relaxing- and Lillian is so much fun to hang out with- what a sweetheart!  I also realize that I am very lucky to have such a great job, in the field I graduated in, right out of school, and am determined to make the most of it. 


That being said, nursing is hard- the hardest work I can imagine doing (though I know there are much harder jobs out there) and after 13 or 14 hours on my feet there isn't much I can do but try to eat, then crawl into bed and start all over again at 5:15 the next morning.  I had forgotten just how badly my legs can ache- I need to dig my support hose out of whatever box or bag they are hiding it to try and ease the pain.... BUT nursing is also extremely cool.  I get to do things for people that they can no longer (whether it is permanent or temporary) do for themselves, and I get to make their lives easier.  People in the hospital are sick, tired, in unbelievable amounts of pain, cranky, grieving, desperate, lonely, (and here- old) and many, many other things, but mostly, they are just humans, trying to get through the day like the rest of us.


Enough with my intro though, now on to the real stuff.  Orientation was last week, and it was mostly just sitting in front of a computer trying not to fall asleep for 4 days... yahoo.  I have made approximately one new friend, but we work/have off exactly opposite days, so right now I mostly just hang out when I'm not working.  I am excited to have met a few new people though... I always think it's funny that some of the people that you don't click with at the very beginning can become really wonderful friends in the end.  I guess I'll have to wait and see... I do look at people as I meet them and wonder what they will become to me while I am here- boyfriend? best friend? enemy? Probably none of the above in fact, but that will be fine with me.


I really like my preceptor- I can tell she is a very skilled nurse, despite how young she is (though I am apparently the youngest BSN EVER at 22- at least that's what people keep acting like), and she is a very genuine person.  She is a hard worker, never complains (at least not the way other people do), and I don't think she afraid of anything.  She also never acts like a job is dreadful or gross or just a huge inconvenience (even moving someone up out of bed and then back in with a big lift that takes lots of time and effort, changing the millionth dirty bed out since nobody wears attends here, or doing the endless charting at the computer)- it's all just part of the job.  She will clearly be a great influence on cynical me, and that is welcome.  Pour on the enthusiasm and positive attitude (sometimes I just don't have enough)!  There is also never downtime because there is always more work you could be doing, and this keeps the days focused, full and flying by.  I am also pretty confident when I am with her simply based on the fact that I know she won't yell at me, and that makes me so much less nervous! Yay!


I went to the gym at the hospital (hooray free membership!) with Debbie today.  It feels great to be working out again, and they have an hour at noon just for employees so there are lots of machines open and stuff.  Then at one all of the other gym-goers return.... hahaha.  Um everyone is a hundred.  Seriously.  Mostly of the can hardly walk across the room, let alone run anywhere!  But up on the treadmill they get, at about 1 mph, just getting their cardio in.  It's absolutely adorable, but also hilarious- they even have oxygen masks and long tubing along the back wall so people can wear oxygen WHILE they work out.  I'm thinking of taking a few hits before I run, just to improve my performance ;)  Honestly though, good for these guys, improving their health and getting in shape- it reminds me of Arthur in "The Holiday."


I went to the DMV yesterday to get my California driver's license and plates, and it took absolutely forever.  Luckily, on my days off I can afford that, which is just another of the many things I love about nursing= 3 on 4 off.  As I looked around the room, and as I look around most rooms here in southern CA I am struck by one recurring realization: I NEED TO LEARN SPANISH. Yesterday.  So that is definitely my most immediate goal for after I get through the next few weeks.


Well, this will probably be my longest post, but now I'm going to enjoy my friday night by watching some Lost or possibly Glee again- I just canNOT get enough of that show- if you aren't watching it, you are missing out. LOVES it.


Hope you all enjoy your weekend!


m.