It's been over 2 weeks since I officially started working here in North Dakota. The first week was pretty boring because it just involved sitting in an auditorium listening to people talk and watching videos from the 90s and taking a computer class to learn their charting system.
That week I also came down with what I think was the flu. I was running fevers around 102, major aches, cough congestion, etc. At one point the coughing got so bad that every time I drank fluids I would gag and throw up so I ended up experiencing my hospitals emergency room. Which I was partially disappointed because usually if you haven't held liquids down for about 24 hours they give you some IV fluids or anti-nausea medicine not just a prescription for anti-nausea medicine that you have to swallow and keep down for 20 minutes before it works. Anyway I was diagnosed with Bronchitis and given a super heavy duty antibiotic, which seemed to take care of it.
Last Monday I started working on my hospital unit. I really love my main preceptor. She is really patient with me and is always encouraging me. Plus we just get along really well. My other preceptor is great too but I've only had her once for an 8 hour shift but I have a few more shifts with her in the next couple weeks.
At this point (4 shifts in) I can now care for two patients pretty much on my own. Obviously my preceptor still checks on me and helps me with time management. Our unit does team nursing so there are 2 (3 when someone is orienting) nurses assigned to 8 patients and we help each other out. Which I think is really great because sometimes you get busy or my preceptor gets busy and the other nurse ends up helping you out you aren't just sitting there waiting for someone to be free enough to help you.
As far as living here, we've had some cold night/mornings (high 30s-low 40s). So far I've been okay with a hoodie and medium weight jacket. It has been really hard too because just about everyone I've made friends with here has kids or a family and I'm just not in that life stage right now. I can still relate to these friends age wise (although I'm the youngest) but priorities are quite a bit different when you have a family to support. I did just make two friends on Tuesday tho that are also single with no kids and transplants here so maybe I found people with similar priorities.
That week I also came down with what I think was the flu. I was running fevers around 102, major aches, cough congestion, etc. At one point the coughing got so bad that every time I drank fluids I would gag and throw up so I ended up experiencing my hospitals emergency room. Which I was partially disappointed because usually if you haven't held liquids down for about 24 hours they give you some IV fluids or anti-nausea medicine not just a prescription for anti-nausea medicine that you have to swallow and keep down for 20 minutes before it works. Anyway I was diagnosed with Bronchitis and given a super heavy duty antibiotic, which seemed to take care of it.
Last Monday I started working on my hospital unit. I really love my main preceptor. She is really patient with me and is always encouraging me. Plus we just get along really well. My other preceptor is great too but I've only had her once for an 8 hour shift but I have a few more shifts with her in the next couple weeks.
At this point (4 shifts in) I can now care for two patients pretty much on my own. Obviously my preceptor still checks on me and helps me with time management. Our unit does team nursing so there are 2 (3 when someone is orienting) nurses assigned to 8 patients and we help each other out. Which I think is really great because sometimes you get busy or my preceptor gets busy and the other nurse ends up helping you out you aren't just sitting there waiting for someone to be free enough to help you.
As far as living here, we've had some cold night/mornings (high 30s-low 40s). So far I've been okay with a hoodie and medium weight jacket. It has been really hard too because just about everyone I've made friends with here has kids or a family and I'm just not in that life stage right now. I can still relate to these friends age wise (although I'm the youngest) but priorities are quite a bit different when you have a family to support. I did just make two friends on Tuesday tho that are also single with no kids and transplants here so maybe I found people with similar priorities.