Hello again! I always find it hard to start off a post by saying something other than "It's been a while since my last post." So...I'll work on that. Any who, I'll just pick where I left off.
Work update: feeling much better! That first night was by far the roughest. The following week was a little easier since I only had 3 patients, but they were still difficult. I had lots of help throughout the night but stayed about an hour and a half after each shift to finish charting. It helped to work with one of my preceptors who reminded me that every single nurse started out this way, it will get easier, and I'm doing a good job. I'm so thankful for coworkers who don't "eat their young" like many nurses do.
This past week was the smoothest yet since I worked on the med/surge floor with more stable patients. By the third night, I took care of my 4 patients pretty much on my own AND finished my charting by 8am this morning! I felt very accomplished.
And now to speak of my homes.
I realized I haven't shared much about my new home yet. I mentioned in an earlier post that I'm renting a room from my friend Becky's sister Debbie who owns this lovely split level 4-bedroom house in south-west Anchorage (as if that makes a difference to most of you). I need to take more pictures of my space to show you, but here are a few glimpses of where I live.
I feel incredibly blessed to have a second home here where I feel welcomed and safe, not to mention a roommate who is considerate and generous and pleasant!
The only other place I've ever considered home before (besides Phoenix) was the apartment in Tucson that I shared with my sister Julie and 2 of my best friends Diana and Kristina (who are also sisters). I miss them as roommates and that little place of ours, but man alive, that complex was a nightmare to deal with more often than not. I randomly came across this Facebook group I created back then called "You know you live at NorthPointe Apartments when..." because of how many ridiculous stories we and other friends had from living there. I'm so glad that reading them now made me laugh till I cried. I had forgotten how absurd the staff and managers were! Hopefully you think these stories are as funny as I do :)
"You know you live at NorthPointe Apartments when...
...you wait 45 minutes in the office to talk to the manager about some issues, and she sneaks out the back of the building to avoid you.
...a maintenance guy comes to fix your broken AC when he says 'I'm just too tired to fix this tonight. I'll come back some other time.'
...you find out you're getting 2 new roommates the day before they move in.
...maintenance comes to fix something, and it's even more broken when they're done with it.
...the shuttle driver stops at a convenient store on the way back from campus and tells the residences 'I'm gonna get something to eat. You can wait here or just walk the rest of the way.'
...you ask the front desk guy for corporate's number and he says they don't have it. You ask who they call in an emergency, he tells you maintenance. You ask him to call maintenance, he tells you they've left the complex and are unreachable at the moment.
...one of the maintenance guys drives the shuttle bus to and from campus instead of doing productive stuff around the complex.
...you ask someone to unlock your roommate's door (after she's already moved out) so you can get something of yours and they tell you they can't open the door without her permission despite the fact that they opened your door and changed out your bedframe for a broken one without asking your permission.
...the maintenance guy gets your number from the maintenance request sheet and starts texting you inappropriate things."
You can't make this stuff up.
In other news, after much encouragement from Cory who knows how stressed I've been and a family who misses me as much as I miss them, I'm taking a random trip to Phoenix for Labor Day weekend! I'll be there August 28-September 3, so everyone stay put! I'll be seeing you soon!!!!
Work update: feeling much better! That first night was by far the roughest. The following week was a little easier since I only had 3 patients, but they were still difficult. I had lots of help throughout the night but stayed about an hour and a half after each shift to finish charting. It helped to work with one of my preceptors who reminded me that every single nurse started out this way, it will get easier, and I'm doing a good job. I'm so thankful for coworkers who don't "eat their young" like many nurses do.
This past week was the smoothest yet since I worked on the med/surge floor with more stable patients. By the third night, I took care of my 4 patients pretty much on my own AND finished my charting by 8am this morning! I felt very accomplished.
And now to speak of my homes.
I realized I haven't shared much about my new home yet. I mentioned in an earlier post that I'm renting a room from my friend Becky's sister Debbie who owns this lovely split level 4-bedroom house in south-west Anchorage (as if that makes a difference to most of you). I need to take more pictures of my space to show you, but here are a few glimpses of where I live.
Cory and I on the living room couch
Our home (and my mom). When I was little, I dreamed of living in a blue house someday. I thought they were fancy :)
2 of my housemates, Libby and Daisy. I need a picture with Debbie!
This is what I see almost every time I pull into the driveway. To the far left is Roxy, a King Charles Cavalier who is here temporarily. She reminds me of home :)
View from my bedroom window
I feel incredibly blessed to have a second home here where I feel welcomed and safe, not to mention a roommate who is considerate and generous and pleasant!
The only other place I've ever considered home before (besides Phoenix) was the apartment in Tucson that I shared with my sister Julie and 2 of my best friends Diana and Kristina (who are also sisters). I miss them as roommates and that little place of ours, but man alive, that complex was a nightmare to deal with more often than not. I randomly came across this Facebook group I created back then called "You know you live at NorthPointe Apartments when..." because of how many ridiculous stories we and other friends had from living there. I'm so glad that reading them now made me laugh till I cried. I had forgotten how absurd the staff and managers were! Hopefully you think these stories are as funny as I do :)
"You know you live at NorthPointe Apartments when...
...you wait 45 minutes in the office to talk to the manager about some issues, and she sneaks out the back of the building to avoid you.
...a maintenance guy comes to fix your broken AC when he says 'I'm just too tired to fix this tonight. I'll come back some other time.'
...you find out you're getting 2 new roommates the day before they move in.
...maintenance comes to fix something, and it's even more broken when they're done with it.
...the shuttle driver stops at a convenient store on the way back from campus and tells the residences 'I'm gonna get something to eat. You can wait here or just walk the rest of the way.'
...you ask the front desk guy for corporate's number and he says they don't have it. You ask who they call in an emergency, he tells you maintenance. You ask him to call maintenance, he tells you they've left the complex and are unreachable at the moment.
...one of the maintenance guys drives the shuttle bus to and from campus instead of doing productive stuff around the complex.
...you ask someone to unlock your roommate's door (after she's already moved out) so you can get something of yours and they tell you they can't open the door without her permission despite the fact that they opened your door and changed out your bedframe for a broken one without asking your permission.
...the maintenance guy gets your number from the maintenance request sheet and starts texting you inappropriate things."
You can't make this stuff up.
In other news, after much encouragement from Cory who knows how stressed I've been and a family who misses me as much as I miss them, I'm taking a random trip to Phoenix for Labor Day weekend! I'll be there August 28-September 3, so everyone stay put! I'll be seeing you soon!!!!
haha so funny! Glad you are going home, wish i could see you! :)
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