There isn't anything major to report since I last posted, but lots of little victories and happy moments have added up to lots of positivity!
Work always comes with some level of stress, but I can safely say that I finally feel like a real nurse on a regular basis, and I can almost always walk away at the end of the night feeling proud of my work! I've gained more confidence facing tasks like drawing blood and inserting catheters (I never said it was glamorous), I finish my charting before the end of the shift 90% of the time (and anything left over doesn't take very long), and I even oriented a new employee! She's been a nurse for 2 years, so she actually taught me more than I taught her, but I was glad that the manager trusted me to show her the ropes. I've also been told multiple times from my coworkers that they would never guess that I'm a new nurse and they're impressed by how quickly I learn and how well I fit in. Multiple patients have told me how well cared for they feel when I'm their nurse. I even got through my first major medication error without feeling like a complete failure. The patient wasn't harmed and I reported myself as soon as I realized the mistake, so the charge nurse was very understanding as she helped me fill out the paperwork and "educated" me without being harsh or condescending. I'll admit I'd still rather be working with babies, but I'm extremely grateful for a job that I've gained so much from while giving so much!
Other little things have made me happy too. I finally started putting up pictures on my bedroom walls and decorating more. I successfully cooked a Pinterest recipe for the first time: baked salmon and zucchini. I just had a remote starter installed in my car so I can warm it up before even walking outside. I finally finished the Breaking Bad series. I'm now addicted to Modern Family. I've found a community of believers in the young adult group at Cornerstone church where I feel welcome and I'm actually getting to know people. I'm still deeply in love with Cory. We always have fun together whether it's a game night with his coworkers or taking a drive to Seward for the day, and we've been learning more about each other and ourselves in the process. More importantly, we've approached issues of trust and vulnerability with each other that have been teaching us about trusting Jesus above all else. I'm loving this life of ours.
If there's anything I could change in the coming months, it would be for Cory to have more leave so we could visit his family and mine together. However, as long as the details align, Ben and Laura and Brynley will be visiting next month! I don't have to work on Thanksgiving, but it will be my first one away from my family. At the same time, it'll be my first one with Cory! I'm sure we'll enjoy whatever our plans are that day. I'm especially looking forward to being HOME FOR CHRISTMAS! I'll be in Phoenix from December 18th-26th which includes Brynley's 2nd birthday too! Sadly Cory has to stay in Anchorage :( but we'll do our best to make it out to both Illinois and Arizona next year sometime. I can't wait for the day when everyone I love is in one place (or at least within driving distance). In the meantime, I'll be counting the days till see everyone!
Here are some shots of Cory and I when we visited the Sea Life Aquarium in Seward (about 2 hours south of Anchorage).
Work always comes with some level of stress, but I can safely say that I finally feel like a real nurse on a regular basis, and I can almost always walk away at the end of the night feeling proud of my work! I've gained more confidence facing tasks like drawing blood and inserting catheters (I never said it was glamorous), I finish my charting before the end of the shift 90% of the time (and anything left over doesn't take very long), and I even oriented a new employee! She's been a nurse for 2 years, so she actually taught me more than I taught her, but I was glad that the manager trusted me to show her the ropes. I've also been told multiple times from my coworkers that they would never guess that I'm a new nurse and they're impressed by how quickly I learn and how well I fit in. Multiple patients have told me how well cared for they feel when I'm their nurse. I even got through my first major medication error without feeling like a complete failure. The patient wasn't harmed and I reported myself as soon as I realized the mistake, so the charge nurse was very understanding as she helped me fill out the paperwork and "educated" me without being harsh or condescending. I'll admit I'd still rather be working with babies, but I'm extremely grateful for a job that I've gained so much from while giving so much!
Other little things have made me happy too. I finally started putting up pictures on my bedroom walls and decorating more. I successfully cooked a Pinterest recipe for the first time: baked salmon and zucchini. I just had a remote starter installed in my car so I can warm it up before even walking outside. I finally finished the Breaking Bad series. I'm now addicted to Modern Family. I've found a community of believers in the young adult group at Cornerstone church where I feel welcome and I'm actually getting to know people. I'm still deeply in love with Cory. We always have fun together whether it's a game night with his coworkers or taking a drive to Seward for the day, and we've been learning more about each other and ourselves in the process. More importantly, we've approached issues of trust and vulnerability with each other that have been teaching us about trusting Jesus above all else. I'm loving this life of ours.
If there's anything I could change in the coming months, it would be for Cory to have more leave so we could visit his family and mine together. However, as long as the details align, Ben and Laura and Brynley will be visiting next month! I don't have to work on Thanksgiving, but it will be my first one away from my family. At the same time, it'll be my first one with Cory! I'm sure we'll enjoy whatever our plans are that day. I'm especially looking forward to being HOME FOR CHRISTMAS! I'll be in Phoenix from December 18th-26th which includes Brynley's 2nd birthday too! Sadly Cory has to stay in Anchorage :( but we'll do our best to make it out to both Illinois and Arizona next year sometime. I can't wait for the day when everyone I love is in one place (or at least within driving distance). In the meantime, I'll be counting the days till see everyone!
Here are some shots of Cory and I when we visited the Sea Life Aquarium in Seward (about 2 hours south of Anchorage).
I can hardly wait to visit!!! Excited to see you at Christmas!! Lovely post as always Nurse Bear
ReplyDeleteI like "Nurse Bear" :)
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