Well. First the week is in the books. What a whirlwind! 20 minutes of orientation, an hour of testing and boom... on the floor with patients. Is that the norm? Probably not, but it's a pandemic y'all!
Let me just take this moment to give a shout out to all the nurses at NAMC NICU who raised me. You are the best! You had me ready to take on the world! Or at least the babies of the world. : ). Everything they threw at me I was able to say "No Problem. I've got this!" And that was because of you! You guys rock and will always be my foundation!
Just a couple of highlights/insights from the week:
I taught myself how to document in Epic. My three shifts for the week were over before my computer training class even started. But no matter, as Epic is the bomb! OMG you guys! Where has this been all of my nursing life? One system for EVERYTHING. And I mean EVERYTHING!
NICU nursing is NICU nursing! I was nervous about things being done so differently- and yes, some protocols are different. But the nursing skills are the same, even if the equipment is a different. If you are thinking about travel nursing, cross that worry off your list.
I found the campus coffee shop. And you order online so it is just ready for pickup when you get there. The coffee was fantastic! Portland has a thriving coffee scene so they have to keep up! Apparently they also make good breakfast items, something I will have to try next week.
People really do say "Wicked" up here. : ) Then again, I probably said y'all a couple of hundred times so...
I can get to the hospital and on the floor in 15 minutes! That includes parking and taking the shuttle. Mind blown! In fact, I can get anywhere from my apartment in 5-10 minutes. I have never been able to do that in Austin!
I do not have a kitchen yet. Just a two top burner, a microwave and a mini fridge. See pic. That means no focaccia for my new co-workers yet. And for me that means a lot of odd meals until the stove and fridge come in next week. I will survive. I think...
It's cold here y'all!
I have a couple of days off before my next shift and Kenny is here with me now so we will be out exploring. It's going to be 12 F for a high tomorrow, but I'll take my mittens off long enough to get a few pictures. Maybe. : )
Post again next week! Bye Y'all!
BTW- you can email me with any questions or advice. I'd love to hear from you!
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