Things are a little better

I HATE working day shift. I forgot how much I hated it. There is little time to complete charting and then little time to take care of my patients. It's everything busy and I don't like that it takes away from patient care. A nurse must please the doctors, the patient's family, physical therapy, occupational therapy, case management, social work and the charge nurse! I miss the night shift when it's just the nurse and patient.

Good thing travel nurse assignments are short term.

God reminded me last night that I was praying fervently for this assignment. The one offered to us didn't work out and we didn't have a job at the time and this one popped up in a couple of days. An answered prayer and I have been resenting it. I have been dwelling in my flesh and not in the Spirit and have forgotten how God has answered our prayers. He has me depending on Him constantly. This comforts me and gives me peace for the moment but I know it won't be easy.

Enough of serious talk. My friend from nursing school is a travel nurse and she suggested we bake or bring goodies to work. We have been. ANNNNND that really has helped. People are so much more happier and friendlier when offered sugar. They actually START a conversation with us and not the other way around. So glad she suggested it.

We recently went into SF and went to the Muir Woods to visit some redwoods (so beautiful!) and toured the Golden Gate Bridge.

Breakfast prior in Sausalito

Love the homes in SF and the hills are amazing! 

There were these power lines that were very low to the road which we thought were interesting. Nat made me take tons of pic of it.

 Here are some pics from Muir Woods. The Redwoods were ginormous! This tree above has too many rings to count. It amazes me to think about how these trees have been here for so long and what it has been through. A Spanish missionary founded these woods and dubbed it the "redwood."

Even the bark looks different. 

Golden Gate bridge

We were singing the Full House theme song when we drove on , walked onand saw the bridge.

It was quite windy! Felt like hurricane force winds y'a'll! 

And FINALLY got something in the mail ;) It really made my night. Was getting depressed because Natalie gets TONS of mail. Not really but it seemed like it when I was getting NOTHING!

My First Shift

I completed my first shift. I was so nervous going into it. The night before we made our first fire in our apartment. It was so cozy and relaxing and calmed my nerves! 

My first evening shift was pretty busy but I had an awesome CNA and one of the people we oriented with was there with me. I felt better knowing there was someone I knew. It's so odd working at this hospital because the charge nurses never come to check in on you or to see if you need any help. Even when I was orienting no one came to check up on the nurse. I miss my fellow coworkers at Shands! Love you guys ;) 

Overall it was one of those busy shifts which is ok as long as its not busy because your patients are coding. Ya know what I mean?

I definitely enjoyed being on my own. When I oriented with a nurse she had certain expectations and when it was not done correctly, at a certain time or quickly she would take over and not allow me to do things on my own (which I kind of don't blame her since she doesn't know me as a nurse). Being on my own for the first time was overwhelming but I felt like me again. A nurse who loves taking care of her patients. 

I'm still nervous because of working day shifts. Still have 11 more weeks to go!

Today, Nat and I took a walk at the park on the road we live on (Lake Chabot Rd). 

Nat discovered this trail that gives you a beautiful view of the east bay and SF. It was no "walk in the park!" to get there. Haha The hills are STEEP. I wanted to roll on the ground and  die after climbing that hill. But "the view is worth it," as Nat would say. It was.

The picture below is Lake Chabot. We were wondering when we would come across it. People were kayaking and in paddle boats. We plan on going paddle boating on our next day off. I am so excited!

Another, closer view.

Love the weather here. Hardly any humidity, my hair has been looking decent these days!

You can't tell but there was a perfect, close view of SF. I've realized we have talked a lot about SF and have only gone in once (at night) but don't worry we are actually planning on doing things IN SF!

An end to our day. Our first home cooked meal. Tired of eating sandwiches all the time! Please feel free to mail us goodies. Just sayin ;) 

New Chapter in the Life of Bela

Just read my last post...a little depressing. It was a difficult time in my life. I'm definitely in a new chapter since then...thank God because if I wasn't I would need some serious counseling! I'm sitting here listening to the crackling of a dying fire and old Michael Buble songs (courtesy of Nat). We started our journey of travel nursing (tn) starting in Florida driving all the way to California. Had a great time seeing parts of the country we have never been to. Beautiful and landscape is so different from the east. Started work this week, on orientation and on my own tomorrow. I had the expectations tn would be difficult but I feel like I did when I had my first hospital job. Overwhelmed, nervous. Patient care remains the same but the equipment, charting, staff, and negativity towards tn is completely different. The hospital is beautiful, brand new, state of the art technology. I just feel so unprepared especially working day shift (after being on night shift for 2 years)! This is my first assignment and I know that everything will eventually get better. Through all of this, I have been dependent on Him to comfort me, guide me, reassure me, lead me. I have found myself here many times and am thankful for His never ending grace and mercy towards me. Even though I know my Father is always with me that doesn't mean I do not feel lonely, discouraged. I am human. There are so many "small" things that have fallen into place for us. Not to mention we met this beautiful family that we met via email, inviting us to thanksgiving and Christmas. And on top of that my cousin and her husband also invited us over. Such an amazing cousin, she told me she would hook me up with some simple recipes and spices so I can cook Indian food (will never be as good as mom's and I didn't realize how much I missed it!). We had "prayed" in jest that we would meet families who would invite us over for the holidays and treat us as family. God knows our hearts and what we meant in "jest" was actually what we desired. I may sound and act like a debbie downer (I've only ever said that phrase, have never written it down, where did it come from??) but this is only today. I know we will have our ups and downs just like any other journey. Until next time...hopefully it will be less than 3 years!