Another cold day here in Flagstaff with more snow so I spent most of the day warm and in bed and I will have to admit that the people who say that you feel more tired in the higher altitudes may be correct. I am still getting over being sick and I honestly think the last few weeks have caught up with me. I have finished up the first two weeks and have eleven more to go.
It seems that days like these make me miss my home and family more. I know I have only been gone 15 days, some of it has gone by so fast where other times it feels like it has been at a snails pace. Not being able to get up and out like I had planned has really put a damper on things. I hate feeling ill and I think exhaustion has really set in.
I I have a couple of days off before I get on the seven on and off routine and I honestly think that will be the saving grace for me. Also I have the trip planned back home which helps. Do not get me wrong, I do love my job and I love the opportunity to work these three or six month contracts, but this is the first time I have been so far away that I cannot just run home for a day trip. I think I honestly know how the husbands and wives feel when their spouses for off for tours. To think that my own father left us behind for six month cruises as part of his military job. Being a child of a Navy father had its ups and downs and before I was 5 I had lived many places, most not even in the United States. You truly find that what is most dear to you for sure.
Corinna and I decided to skip the gym today because Kim had the great idea to walk in the snow! The activity center is about a half mile round trip from the condo and getting there is all uphill and steep to boot. We wanted to go up there and grab a movie to watch while we ate supper. As we bundled up with extra socks gloves and sweats we trekked up the hill and I will have to say... the cold air was tough. I felt like my lungs were on fire!!! We huffed into the warmth of the activities center and the smell of Starbucks... was so inviting... but I held firm to the fact I am on a diet and went right to the dvd rack. We chose Couples Retreat and Sunshine Cleaning. We browsed the Spa specials and even giggled that we saw a young girl in her 20's in a bikini heading from the locker room area to go outside to get into the hot tub! I am sure the water was warm but to think you had to actually walk through snow to get to the hot tub was enough to make me say NO WAY!!!
We were thankful that the walk back was all downhill and that was enough exercise for me for the day. I had a hard time breathing from this cold and my head throbbed. I have to hurry up and get used to the altitude or it will kill me I am sure of it.
I fixed our meal from Dr. Ian's book and I had to force myself not to get on the scale... I will not weigh in until Monday so I can see how my good eating with lack of activity did. Being sick always hurts plus all the medication I have been feeding myself to get well... negative effects on the metabolism.
We ate, laughed at Couples Retreat and now I am sitting all snug in my bed under the covers typing and Corinna bursts my bubble that it will snow all day tomorrow and Tuesday, but Sunshine on Wednesday... go figure we have to work That day!
Hope everyone out there is doing well...
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
On the Mend
Woke up today feeling a little better but took the opportunity to stay in bed most of the day knowing I had to work this evening.
I climbed out of bed at 3:45PM and woke my roommate so we could get her started on my diet and the rountine! She did really well as she went and bought the book too and read up the night before on what was allowed, the schedule and the food involved.
I made our breakfast which consisted of 1 egg and a fruit. I cut us up some apples and we were well on our way. I am almost 2 weeks ahead of her on the diet plan but decided to go back to day one so we could mass cook and I could be supportive of the first three days which are the hardest.
We headed out to the gym for a 30 minute workout and completed a half mile walk/jog session on the treadmill. The back at the condo, she cut up the salad fixings as I showered. This will be the only night we do not work together for the rest of the contract. I showered, dressed and packed my meals #2, 3 and 4 plus my snacks, got my water and headed out the door. I got to the end of the neighborhood when I realized it was 5:15 and I did not have my phone or enough gas to get to work! I did a quick U-turn ran in the house and got my phone and then made a pit stop for gas. I am usually used to having a routine and today I felt like I was still so off since I wasn't feeling a 100 percent quite yet.
I made it to work with 3 minutes to spare! I get on the unit and see that there are only 4 patients! So needless to say I had one baby to care for. This was a good and bad thing. Good because I still felt weak and ill and I knew I would not be running my behind off all night. Bad, because the time would probably go by sooo slow!
I got report and did my assessments, checked my chart and just as I was sitting down to have my meal number 2 there was a patient coming. I of course volunteered to get it... this way I could get my work out of the way instead of being the last one of the night to get a patient. So I took report and this is an adult patient not a baby, so things went along rather quickly. Got him comfortable, paperwork finished and by 10:15 PM I was back at the desk and ready for my snack.
Midnight rolls around and I do my assessments, chart and eat my salad at 12:30. I wrote out postcards to the boys and watched patients so another nurse could take a dinner break.
The night is half way over and I am looking forward to 6:30 AM!
The rest of the night was pretty uneventful and I have decided that this may be one of the least stressful assignments of my life and I should take every opportunity to learn how to give more to my patients and families than I am used to since I do have the time. I am also going to try and learn something new each night I work and share it here with you, whether it be about the Native American Culture or something totally different.
I drove home this morning being more tired from doing less than I normally do and I went through the weather extremes... from rain to sunshine to dense fog to ice then to snow. Yes people, it was snowing once again when I got about 15 miles from the condo.
Looking forward to the warmth of my bed!
I climbed out of bed at 3:45PM and woke my roommate so we could get her started on my diet and the rountine! She did really well as she went and bought the book too and read up the night before on what was allowed, the schedule and the food involved.
I made our breakfast which consisted of 1 egg and a fruit. I cut us up some apples and we were well on our way. I am almost 2 weeks ahead of her on the diet plan but decided to go back to day one so we could mass cook and I could be supportive of the first three days which are the hardest.
We headed out to the gym for a 30 minute workout and completed a half mile walk/jog session on the treadmill. The back at the condo, she cut up the salad fixings as I showered. This will be the only night we do not work together for the rest of the contract. I showered, dressed and packed my meals #2, 3 and 4 plus my snacks, got my water and headed out the door. I got to the end of the neighborhood when I realized it was 5:15 and I did not have my phone or enough gas to get to work! I did a quick U-turn ran in the house and got my phone and then made a pit stop for gas. I am usually used to having a routine and today I felt like I was still so off since I wasn't feeling a 100 percent quite yet.
I made it to work with 3 minutes to spare! I get on the unit and see that there are only 4 patients! So needless to say I had one baby to care for. This was a good and bad thing. Good because I still felt weak and ill and I knew I would not be running my behind off all night. Bad, because the time would probably go by sooo slow!
I got report and did my assessments, checked my chart and just as I was sitting down to have my meal number 2 there was a patient coming. I of course volunteered to get it... this way I could get my work out of the way instead of being the last one of the night to get a patient. So I took report and this is an adult patient not a baby, so things went along rather quickly. Got him comfortable, paperwork finished and by 10:15 PM I was back at the desk and ready for my snack.
Midnight rolls around and I do my assessments, chart and eat my salad at 12:30. I wrote out postcards to the boys and watched patients so another nurse could take a dinner break.
The night is half way over and I am looking forward to 6:30 AM!
The rest of the night was pretty uneventful and I have decided that this may be one of the least stressful assignments of my life and I should take every opportunity to learn how to give more to my patients and families than I am used to since I do have the time. I am also going to try and learn something new each night I work and share it here with you, whether it be about the Native American Culture or something totally different.
I drove home this morning being more tired from doing less than I normally do and I went through the weather extremes... from rain to sunshine to dense fog to ice then to snow. Yes people, it was snowing once again when I got about 15 miles from the condo.
Looking forward to the warmth of my bed!
Friday, March 5, 2010
New Roomie
Today was pretty much like yesterday with the exception that I did not stay in bed ALL day, I did get up and out for a little while.
Corinna moved in today.
I woke up still with a 101.2 temperature, so I emailed my recruiter Joe and told him I would not be able to work tonight, but will still be able to go in tomorrow night. Just means I have one more day of rest and no overtime this week.
I got my first paycheck today!!! That is always good... that is until you write out all your bills. Jeff and I conferenced on Skype and he opened and showed me the mail... literally (ha ha) and got everything organized for the next week.
I had a nice surprise in the mailbox today... another package. This time it was from Joe, yes my wonderful recruiter. He sent me a nice fleece jacket. I guess he felt bad that I was so cold. I will have to take a picture of it to post on here. It is warm and comfortable. It reminds me of Jeff's blue jacket he wears all the time.. I dub it his "purse" as he carries everything in it like most women. I am not like most women and I do not carry a purse. If I was to carry anything it would be a backpack. I guess I am just not that girlie.
Corinna got here about noon, and after she unloaded her stuff, we went out grabbed a bite to eat and then to the grocery store. Yesterday she went and bought the Extreme Fat Smash diet book I am using so we can follow it together, so she was aware of what we had to purchase for groceries for the week. We grabbed the items from the grovery store and headed back to the condo. She washed dishes and I talked on the phone...lol I do not mind doing housework, but I really hate to do dishes. I do not know why, but it is my least favorite thing. We came up with a solution. I will do all the food prep and cooking and she will keep the dishes washed! Turns out good for me!
After that since she worked last night she took a bath and laid down and I went to my bed to rest and I did something great... I booked a trip home! I will be spending some time back in South Carolina for Easter. The great thing is that it will be half way through the contract and the kids will be on spring break. I hope to have lost half of my weight goal by then as well. I leave on 3/31 and return on 4/7. I called the boys to let them know and I think they are excited as well. I also made sure that Alaina would be able to pick me up from the airport since I will be arriving late in the evening on the 31st.
When she was done napping I made us some supper, I set up the Wii and played 2010 Winter Games! I found out I can figure skate and snowboard but I am not so good at bobsledding.
I started to feel kind of feverish again so I decided to get in bed, and write this as so I can get some rest... I have to work tomorrow night! I felt really bad about missing work today, but I think in the long run I would have either got someone else sick or made myself worse.
Looking forward to getting back in the swing of things and glad that I finally have someone else around so it is not always so darn quiet!
Until tomorrow.... Peace!
Corinna moved in today.
I woke up still with a 101.2 temperature, so I emailed my recruiter Joe and told him I would not be able to work tonight, but will still be able to go in tomorrow night. Just means I have one more day of rest and no overtime this week.
I got my first paycheck today!!! That is always good... that is until you write out all your bills. Jeff and I conferenced on Skype and he opened and showed me the mail... literally (ha ha) and got everything organized for the next week.
I had a nice surprise in the mailbox today... another package. This time it was from Joe, yes my wonderful recruiter. He sent me a nice fleece jacket. I guess he felt bad that I was so cold. I will have to take a picture of it to post on here. It is warm and comfortable. It reminds me of Jeff's blue jacket he wears all the time.. I dub it his "purse" as he carries everything in it like most women. I am not like most women and I do not carry a purse. If I was to carry anything it would be a backpack. I guess I am just not that girlie.
Corinna got here about noon, and after she unloaded her stuff, we went out grabbed a bite to eat and then to the grocery store. Yesterday she went and bought the Extreme Fat Smash diet book I am using so we can follow it together, so she was aware of what we had to purchase for groceries for the week. We grabbed the items from the grovery store and headed back to the condo. She washed dishes and I talked on the phone...lol I do not mind doing housework, but I really hate to do dishes. I do not know why, but it is my least favorite thing. We came up with a solution. I will do all the food prep and cooking and she will keep the dishes washed! Turns out good for me!
After that since she worked last night she took a bath and laid down and I went to my bed to rest and I did something great... I booked a trip home! I will be spending some time back in South Carolina for Easter. The great thing is that it will be half way through the contract and the kids will be on spring break. I hope to have lost half of my weight goal by then as well. I leave on 3/31 and return on 4/7. I called the boys to let them know and I think they are excited as well. I also made sure that Alaina would be able to pick me up from the airport since I will be arriving late in the evening on the 31st.
When she was done napping I made us some supper, I set up the Wii and played 2010 Winter Games! I found out I can figure skate and snowboard but I am not so good at bobsledding.
I started to feel kind of feverish again so I decided to get in bed, and write this as so I can get some rest... I have to work tomorrow night! I felt really bad about missing work today, but I think in the long run I would have either got someone else sick or made myself worse.
Looking forward to getting back in the swing of things and glad that I finally have someone else around so it is not always so darn quiet!
Until tomorrow.... Peace!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Sick in Bed
Woke up with a fever and feeling miserable. Today was going to be a day of rest for sure.
Joe called and we discussed the situation and he, along with I have decided that there is not much more we can do in regards to the scheduling, etc without possibly getting a bad reference at the end of the assignment (which in my opinion would be silly as I kept up my end of the deal).
So I spent most of the day in bed going in and out of sleep.
I did once venture out to grab the mail and I had a wonderful surprise... My best friend Alaina sent me a care package. It was so nice to actually go to the mail box and have something in there other than a bill.
I recently started attending a knitting group with her before I left and I was learning to knit... so she sent me a skein of yarn and some needles so I could practice while I was here. It really made my day.
I finally at 8pm decided to get up and eat some food and watch Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. I made chicken breast with mixed veggies and rice. I ate and can you believe it, I fell asleep on the couch watching my shows!
I went and climbed back in bed, talked with Jeff for while and then went back to sleep. Not an exciting day to say the least.
Hopefully tomorrow I will feel better.
Joe called and we discussed the situation and he, along with I have decided that there is not much more we can do in regards to the scheduling, etc without possibly getting a bad reference at the end of the assignment (which in my opinion would be silly as I kept up my end of the deal).
So I spent most of the day in bed going in and out of sleep.
I did once venture out to grab the mail and I had a wonderful surprise... My best friend Alaina sent me a care package. It was so nice to actually go to the mail box and have something in there other than a bill.
I recently started attending a knitting group with her before I left and I was learning to knit... so she sent me a skein of yarn and some needles so I could practice while I was here. It really made my day.
I finally at 8pm decided to get up and eat some food and watch Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. I made chicken breast with mixed veggies and rice. I ate and can you believe it, I fell asleep on the couch watching my shows!
I went and climbed back in bed, talked with Jeff for while and then went back to sleep. Not an exciting day to say the least.
Hopefully tomorrow I will feel better.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Not a Happy Camper
Today was the worst day ever!
It started out that I did not want to get up and out of bed for this class. If you know me, then you know I am not a morning person and especially when Kim doesn't feel well.
So Corinna arrives at six as promised and I head out the door with coffee and tylenol in tow. We make the drive and arrived at 7:30 like we were asked to as so we could work on schedule before the 8 am class. Well, that did not happen instead we sat in a room unpaid drinking coffee and then we were taken to the training room for the class.
The class was the only part of the day that sis not stink. Our educator was really neat. A Mexican native, he has only held the position for two days and we breezed through all the material at warp speed. There was us three travelers from Peds and two ladies working in OB.
After morning sessions we grab a bite to eat and the three of us head over to the Peds unit so we can see if the schedule had been worked out. This is when the day fell apart. Now first mind you that we all have been very flexible and we all have contracts spelling out the specifics of what we are responsible for working, pay, etc. We have to adhere to these as gospel for the term of our contracts. Mine is currently for 13 weeks.
When I was interviewed I asked:
1. if the job was for days or nights? I was told nights. I said great as that is the shift I prefer.
2. how many hours per week? I was told 36 hours. 3 nights per week.
3. would the shifts be worked all together or spread out? I was told that it would be flexible. Like one week 2 on a few days off and then one or just three in a row and then the rest of the week off.
4. what unit would I be working? I would be working in a 15 bed Pediatric unit which will staff at night 2 RN's 1 LPN and 1 CNA.
So my contract states:
1. I am to work 36 hours per week. I am not guaranteed to work the 36 hours so if they have low patients I can be cancelled for the night and not get paid. Normally I do not have this in my contract and I normally get paid whether they cancel me or work me, but I allowed it this time.
2. I can work overtime if I wish and it is approved by the facility in advance.
3. My contract is for the Pediatric Unit and is for 13 weeks.
Now this is what she said I was to work.
36 hours one week and 48 hours the second week with all shifts to be run consecutively then 7 days off for a two week rotation.
Do you see what the problem is here... please refer to the phone interview and contract information above, but I am sure you all are educated people and see what the issue is right from the start.
First, I was not asked if I wanted to pick up a fourth shift. I was told.
Second, Seven straight nights on then seven straight nights off is not what I was told scheduling would be. It is not only exhausting, but unsafe. Knowing that I also have an hour and a half commute each way. So take that into account that is 84 hours of working and 21 hours of driving all in the span of 7 days.
Now I know I agreed to make the commute and it is not that bad when you are just doing a couple of days here and then a few off then another day or two but come on... all that in a row!
Honestly I could have used my expense money to fly out here and get a hotel for 5 of the days and then fly home for a week and then fly back for the 7 getting a hotel for 5 nights and in a month that would only cost me 1,000.00 a month (300.00 r/t airfare twice and 200.00 for 10 nights lodging at the local hotel employee rate). My condo is 1,400.00 and I pay gas to commute 160 miles per day. I could honestly work that arrangement out with the kids and my home life instead of being away an entire 13 weeks without being able to go home.
So, I mention the fact that my contract says I only work 36 hours and it goes ignored. She then continues to schedule me for Friday night AND Saturday night this week which is 4 shifts for this week with Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday night off then back on Wednesday to start my seven in a row. I was funing and lunch was over so we had to get back to class. She says that the only was we can break it up any other way would be for Corinna and I to work opposite each other and work 5 on and 2 off. Well this would mean we could not carpool and it is still 5 in a row with only two nights off to come back and work 2 nights then 5 nights off. Then we would not only be working opposite, we will be having to drive it all alone instead of sharing the cost and drive.
So we head back off to finish up class and I so called my recruiter Joe! He does not answer right away and as I am leaving him a message on his cell phone, as I have that number for when the office is closed, he calls me back and asks what is up. I explain in a loud fury as to what he has gotten me into and he knows I am ticked off to the point of no return so what does he do??? He listens, sympathizes with my concerns and says that we will work it all out tomorrow and then makes a few jokes makes me laugh and we hang up. I am sure he was just glad to get back to his peaceful evening an dknows I will be calling him less frenzied tomorrow.
We get into the final segments of the class and right before it ended we were called and told that she wanted to see us after class. We head back to the unit after giving Kudos to our instructor, and she is all smiles that she has found us a solution.
The solution is that she has found us some housing options that we can pay for during our seven nights on so we can still commute together but have a place to stay in town so we do not have to make the three hour trip each day. But this would be at another added cost of course. Now I am thinking to myself, I already pay for housing and you are now already making me work more than I am contracted... why cannot you furnish me a place to stay for those extra nights. Corinna and I take the housing information that she has given us and say that we will work the schedule she has made, because frankly we have no choice and we leave.
We decide to walk over to the Human Resources department to speak with the nurse recruiter who arranged our contracts with our agencies. Now we all three work for a different one and Corinna's contract states for 36 hours per week and they are guaranteed hours. Mine states 36 hours per week, but not guaranteed and Melba's states 36 hours then 48 hours guaranteed. We went to his office and explained the situation. I flat out told him that I was mislead in my interview as well as Corinna. I told him that my contract was for 36 and that I could work overtime if I had it approved, but it was not mandatory. I told him that if I was asked to work extra I would probably to help out as that is how I am, I try to be helpful and honestly that if it was two nights on then 2 nights off then another two nights on then three nights off that I could totally work extra hours as it was all broken up. He listened and as a formal travel nurse himself knows the boundaries of contracts. He then stated that he would contact one of the staff doctors that had a room available and see if we could stay there during our weeks working. Honestly it would only be 5 day shifts as the first night we would drive in and the last morning we would drive back and then Corinna would just stay in the condo with me and share the cost and she lives in Texas and she would possibly just go home the week she was off to see her daughter.
The other option is to stay at the local motel and it is 40 a night for employees and sharing that cost would be 20 a night. This is about what we would pay in gas to commute but making sure that they would have a vacany the entire weeks we were working would prove to be a challange as tourist season approaches here soon.
So we left with knowing we got some information and a whole lot of stuff off our chests, well I did anyway... and decided to just hope that the good doctor would feel sorry for us and let us use his house while he will be away and that it is only 11 more weeks to go. We dropped Melba off at her trailer and we headed back towards Flagstaff with lots to think and discuss.
She took me to dinner tonight and my whole diet went out the window for one day.. I ate a 6 ounce sirloin, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, pumpernickel bread and a LARGE margarita! We decided that what ever housing arrangement we can make in Tuba City (either renting from doctor or hotel) she would pay for it and we will stay there the week we work and then the weeks we are off we will stay at my place in Flagstaff that I pay for and she would drive and pay for the gas each way, which would be a fair compromise as I make more money in expenses and my place is more expensive and nicer and away from the Reservation.
So now I am sitting on the bed and my mind is still racing as I am scared of the fact that seven in a row may not be the safest thing for everyone involved. I just think I am most upset that I was not given all the proper information to make my decision before I accepted the job. The hospital is really great, the employees are super and even the supervisor in question is a very nice lady and honestly is trying to do the right thing by trying to make the commute and housing easier.. she just doesn't realize the other issues with nights/hours. I am still glad I came here, I am just conflicted is all.
Sorry for the ranting... it actually feels better to have a place to do that and I always know that if you don't want to hear it you can always close out of the blog... or just do not answer the phone if I call :)
Hopefully I will get some sleep and things will be different tomorrow...
Will begin Day One of diet again.
Hope that we get cheap housing that will be available the entire time we are there.
Hope my headache will be completely gone
and
Make Joe aware of my concerns and solutions.
Good Night!
It started out that I did not want to get up and out of bed for this class. If you know me, then you know I am not a morning person and especially when Kim doesn't feel well.
So Corinna arrives at six as promised and I head out the door with coffee and tylenol in tow. We make the drive and arrived at 7:30 like we were asked to as so we could work on schedule before the 8 am class. Well, that did not happen instead we sat in a room unpaid drinking coffee and then we were taken to the training room for the class.
The class was the only part of the day that sis not stink. Our educator was really neat. A Mexican native, he has only held the position for two days and we breezed through all the material at warp speed. There was us three travelers from Peds and two ladies working in OB.
After morning sessions we grab a bite to eat and the three of us head over to the Peds unit so we can see if the schedule had been worked out. This is when the day fell apart. Now first mind you that we all have been very flexible and we all have contracts spelling out the specifics of what we are responsible for working, pay, etc. We have to adhere to these as gospel for the term of our contracts. Mine is currently for 13 weeks.
When I was interviewed I asked:
1. if the job was for days or nights? I was told nights. I said great as that is the shift I prefer.
2. how many hours per week? I was told 36 hours. 3 nights per week.
3. would the shifts be worked all together or spread out? I was told that it would be flexible. Like one week 2 on a few days off and then one or just three in a row and then the rest of the week off.
4. what unit would I be working? I would be working in a 15 bed Pediatric unit which will staff at night 2 RN's 1 LPN and 1 CNA.
So my contract states:
1. I am to work 36 hours per week. I am not guaranteed to work the 36 hours so if they have low patients I can be cancelled for the night and not get paid. Normally I do not have this in my contract and I normally get paid whether they cancel me or work me, but I allowed it this time.
2. I can work overtime if I wish and it is approved by the facility in advance.
3. My contract is for the Pediatric Unit and is for 13 weeks.
Now this is what she said I was to work.
36 hours one week and 48 hours the second week with all shifts to be run consecutively then 7 days off for a two week rotation.
Do you see what the problem is here... please refer to the phone interview and contract information above, but I am sure you all are educated people and see what the issue is right from the start.
First, I was not asked if I wanted to pick up a fourth shift. I was told.
Second, Seven straight nights on then seven straight nights off is not what I was told scheduling would be. It is not only exhausting, but unsafe. Knowing that I also have an hour and a half commute each way. So take that into account that is 84 hours of working and 21 hours of driving all in the span of 7 days.
Now I know I agreed to make the commute and it is not that bad when you are just doing a couple of days here and then a few off then another day or two but come on... all that in a row!
Honestly I could have used my expense money to fly out here and get a hotel for 5 of the days and then fly home for a week and then fly back for the 7 getting a hotel for 5 nights and in a month that would only cost me 1,000.00 a month (300.00 r/t airfare twice and 200.00 for 10 nights lodging at the local hotel employee rate). My condo is 1,400.00 and I pay gas to commute 160 miles per day. I could honestly work that arrangement out with the kids and my home life instead of being away an entire 13 weeks without being able to go home.
So, I mention the fact that my contract says I only work 36 hours and it goes ignored. She then continues to schedule me for Friday night AND Saturday night this week which is 4 shifts for this week with Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday night off then back on Wednesday to start my seven in a row. I was funing and lunch was over so we had to get back to class. She says that the only was we can break it up any other way would be for Corinna and I to work opposite each other and work 5 on and 2 off. Well this would mean we could not carpool and it is still 5 in a row with only two nights off to come back and work 2 nights then 5 nights off. Then we would not only be working opposite, we will be having to drive it all alone instead of sharing the cost and drive.
So we head back off to finish up class and I so called my recruiter Joe! He does not answer right away and as I am leaving him a message on his cell phone, as I have that number for when the office is closed, he calls me back and asks what is up. I explain in a loud fury as to what he has gotten me into and he knows I am ticked off to the point of no return so what does he do??? He listens, sympathizes with my concerns and says that we will work it all out tomorrow and then makes a few jokes makes me laugh and we hang up. I am sure he was just glad to get back to his peaceful evening an dknows I will be calling him less frenzied tomorrow.
We get into the final segments of the class and right before it ended we were called and told that she wanted to see us after class. We head back to the unit after giving Kudos to our instructor, and she is all smiles that she has found us a solution.
The solution is that she has found us some housing options that we can pay for during our seven nights on so we can still commute together but have a place to stay in town so we do not have to make the three hour trip each day. But this would be at another added cost of course. Now I am thinking to myself, I already pay for housing and you are now already making me work more than I am contracted... why cannot you furnish me a place to stay for those extra nights. Corinna and I take the housing information that she has given us and say that we will work the schedule she has made, because frankly we have no choice and we leave.
We decide to walk over to the Human Resources department to speak with the nurse recruiter who arranged our contracts with our agencies. Now we all three work for a different one and Corinna's contract states for 36 hours per week and they are guaranteed hours. Mine states 36 hours per week, but not guaranteed and Melba's states 36 hours then 48 hours guaranteed. We went to his office and explained the situation. I flat out told him that I was mislead in my interview as well as Corinna. I told him that my contract was for 36 and that I could work overtime if I had it approved, but it was not mandatory. I told him that if I was asked to work extra I would probably to help out as that is how I am, I try to be helpful and honestly that if it was two nights on then 2 nights off then another two nights on then three nights off that I could totally work extra hours as it was all broken up. He listened and as a formal travel nurse himself knows the boundaries of contracts. He then stated that he would contact one of the staff doctors that had a room available and see if we could stay there during our weeks working. Honestly it would only be 5 day shifts as the first night we would drive in and the last morning we would drive back and then Corinna would just stay in the condo with me and share the cost and she lives in Texas and she would possibly just go home the week she was off to see her daughter.
The other option is to stay at the local motel and it is 40 a night for employees and sharing that cost would be 20 a night. This is about what we would pay in gas to commute but making sure that they would have a vacany the entire weeks we were working would prove to be a challange as tourist season approaches here soon.
So we left with knowing we got some information and a whole lot of stuff off our chests, well I did anyway... and decided to just hope that the good doctor would feel sorry for us and let us use his house while he will be away and that it is only 11 more weeks to go. We dropped Melba off at her trailer and we headed back towards Flagstaff with lots to think and discuss.
She took me to dinner tonight and my whole diet went out the window for one day.. I ate a 6 ounce sirloin, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, pumpernickel bread and a LARGE margarita! We decided that what ever housing arrangement we can make in Tuba City (either renting from doctor or hotel) she would pay for it and we will stay there the week we work and then the weeks we are off we will stay at my place in Flagstaff that I pay for and she would drive and pay for the gas each way, which would be a fair compromise as I make more money in expenses and my place is more expensive and nicer and away from the Reservation.
So now I am sitting on the bed and my mind is still racing as I am scared of the fact that seven in a row may not be the safest thing for everyone involved. I just think I am most upset that I was not given all the proper information to make my decision before I accepted the job. The hospital is really great, the employees are super and even the supervisor in question is a very nice lady and honestly is trying to do the right thing by trying to make the commute and housing easier.. she just doesn't realize the other issues with nights/hours. I am still glad I came here, I am just conflicted is all.
Sorry for the ranting... it actually feels better to have a place to do that and I always know that if you don't want to hear it you can always close out of the blog... or just do not answer the phone if I call :)
Hopefully I will get some sleep and things will be different tomorrow...
Will begin Day One of diet again.
Hope that we get cheap housing that will be available the entire time we are there.
Hope my headache will be completely gone
and
Make Joe aware of my concerns and solutions.
Good Night!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Lazy Day
I have to admit, feeling miserable has taken a toll on me and after just a few hours of sleep I am awake. I invited the new traveler from Texas over tonight for supper so we can possibly work out some sort of carpooling arrangement and honestly it is the only reason I forced myself from the bed.
I got up and cleaned the entire condo, as it really needed it after being here a week. I did some laundry, folded and hung up all my clothes and took the trash to the dumpster. I was also saddened to find out that the mail I have been expecting has not come. I will give it a couple of more days and if I do not get the mail I will find the post office and find out why they will not deliver it here.
At 4:15 I got a call and Corinna says she is leaving the hospital and she would be here at 6PM. So I finished up the housework, made sure all was neat and orderly and got the steak I was fixing marinating. Right on time she arrives and I invite her in and give her the grand tour. She absolutely loved the condo and said it was a great find!
She told me how her day was and she actually had the Terror Twins today.. I giggled and I said I bet they broke you in just right and she did not disappoint when she said they were just as loud all day as I said they were overnight!
We ate supper and got to know each other a little bit and she told me she would be renting a room from a family not 2.5 miles from me. I told her if that did not work out she was always welcome to crash here with me. She had a long day and decided to call it a night considering we both had to get up early to go to DAYTIME nursing orientation class tomorrow. She said she would pick me up at 6am and off she went.
I finished the evening off by actually watching some news and giggled to see that my east coast family and friends were getting some dreaded white stuff and of course I was getting text and pictures from my family. Believe me I felt no sympathy after all we had gotten here and I was excited that it actually started melting a good portion of the snow here... and the weather was 40 daytime 21 at night. I could not keep my eyes open and my head still achy took my hiney to bed and called it a night.
I got up and cleaned the entire condo, as it really needed it after being here a week. I did some laundry, folded and hung up all my clothes and took the trash to the dumpster. I was also saddened to find out that the mail I have been expecting has not come. I will give it a couple of more days and if I do not get the mail I will find the post office and find out why they will not deliver it here.
At 4:15 I got a call and Corinna says she is leaving the hospital and she would be here at 6PM. So I finished up the housework, made sure all was neat and orderly and got the steak I was fixing marinating. Right on time she arrives and I invite her in and give her the grand tour. She absolutely loved the condo and said it was a great find!
She told me how her day was and she actually had the Terror Twins today.. I giggled and I said I bet they broke you in just right and she did not disappoint when she said they were just as loud all day as I said they were overnight!
We ate supper and got to know each other a little bit and she told me she would be renting a room from a family not 2.5 miles from me. I told her if that did not work out she was always welcome to crash here with me. She had a long day and decided to call it a night considering we both had to get up early to go to DAYTIME nursing orientation class tomorrow. She said she would pick me up at 6am and off she went.
I finished the evening off by actually watching some news and giggled to see that my east coast family and friends were getting some dreaded white stuff and of course I was getting text and pictures from my family. Believe me I felt no sympathy after all we had gotten here and I was excited that it actually started melting a good portion of the snow here... and the weather was 40 daytime 21 at night. I could not keep my eyes open and my head still achy took my hiney to bed and called it a night.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Terror Twins
I woke up today with still a pain in my shoulder, neck and head. I am thinking I just have a migraine. I do suffer from these and I am not sure what has brought it on. I was thinking maybe it was caffeine withdrawal from my diet, so I made me a cup of coffee and it did not relieve it. I decided to go ahead and shower since I have to work this evening and let hot water run and even though it felt good while I was in there... I still felt crappy when I got out. I weighed and I am officially 7.4 pounds lighter after my first week. I decided maybe I needed to eat so I fixed my oatmeal with splenda brown sugar and forced myself to eat. Still no relief. So I just sucked it up and got myself ready to go, fixing my meals to pack for the night.
Five PM approaches and I am all ready to go. I take the trash to the dumpster and check the mail. I know I am to receive some mail from Joe (my recruiter) and Alaina (my best friend). I was sad when the box was empty once again. Maybe tomorrow.
As I walk back to the car I notice that a good deal of snow had melted today and that it is actually warmer outside than it has been. I look at the temperature at it says it is 40, although it sure felt much warmer! Maybe after being 11 to 20 the last few times I have been outside this feels like a heat wave.
The drive to work did not feel like an hour and fifteen minutes, the traffic flowed smoothly and it seemed like another new place as you could actually see the terrian without snow covering it. I finished reading "Dear John" and I really enjoyed it. I am still unsure if I want to see the movie, but may treat myself once I feel slightly better. With nothing to read I turned the music off to give my brain a break.
I arrived at work with a couple of people immediately noticing I do not feel well, said I do not look well either. I said I was fine, just a slight headache. I got report on my patients and got ready to work. I had one child that was getting ready to go home, so that would leave me with only 2 kids, a 5 month old boy and a 10 year old girl, meaning I would be the first to get another patient.
That is when I got the twins. Sixteen months old. A boy and a girl. So I was not only getting one admission, but two. I spent the better part of 45 minutes getting the admitted and assessed and settled into the room and they screamed the entire time. My poor head felt like it was going to explode! Tears formed many times and ran down my face. Finally the calmed down and were comfortable with Mom, Grandmother and Aunt.
By 10:30 all my babies were assessed, medicated and sleeping! I spent the better part of the next hour and a half doing all the paperwork getting caught up and at midnight it was time to start assessments again. This unit requires full assessment on patients every four hours. So as I make my rounds again, the boy end of the twins has a fever. So I go off to get some medication for him and come back and of course he screams and then wakes his sister and she screams. They scream so much they start throwing up.
They finally calm down and I am able to finally get my lunch and then back for more paperwork. After that I spent the rest of my break in a dark room with a wash cloth over my eyes and it was the most peaceful 25 minutes ever!
4 am rolls around and it is assessment time again and this time I go to the twins room and respiratory is in there and the sister was screaming. The cute brother was in his bed watching his sister like a hawk and tapping the floor... like hurry up lady! He let me assess him as he kept looking around me to have at least one eye on her.
5 am and it is time for medications... and sister needed hers. I quietly tiptoed in and woke up the aunt and we were able to finally give her some medicine without waking him... A miracle!!! I was then able to go and eat my supper.
6 am and I am writing up my final report sheets and ready to give the patients back to the day shift! I was so ready to get some medicine for myself and a bed...
The new travelers arrived and I met them... Corinne from Texas and Mary from New Mexico. Corinne and I hit it off immediately and have set up to talk later today about carpooling. Invited her to supper after she got off shift!
So off to bed I go so I can get up , clean up and cook for a new friend!
Five PM approaches and I am all ready to go. I take the trash to the dumpster and check the mail. I know I am to receive some mail from Joe (my recruiter) and Alaina (my best friend). I was sad when the box was empty once again. Maybe tomorrow.
As I walk back to the car I notice that a good deal of snow had melted today and that it is actually warmer outside than it has been. I look at the temperature at it says it is 40, although it sure felt much warmer! Maybe after being 11 to 20 the last few times I have been outside this feels like a heat wave.
The drive to work did not feel like an hour and fifteen minutes, the traffic flowed smoothly and it seemed like another new place as you could actually see the terrian without snow covering it. I finished reading "Dear John" and I really enjoyed it. I am still unsure if I want to see the movie, but may treat myself once I feel slightly better. With nothing to read I turned the music off to give my brain a break.
I arrived at work with a couple of people immediately noticing I do not feel well, said I do not look well either. I said I was fine, just a slight headache. I got report on my patients and got ready to work. I had one child that was getting ready to go home, so that would leave me with only 2 kids, a 5 month old boy and a 10 year old girl, meaning I would be the first to get another patient.
That is when I got the twins. Sixteen months old. A boy and a girl. So I was not only getting one admission, but two. I spent the better part of 45 minutes getting the admitted and assessed and settled into the room and they screamed the entire time. My poor head felt like it was going to explode! Tears formed many times and ran down my face. Finally the calmed down and were comfortable with Mom, Grandmother and Aunt.
By 10:30 all my babies were assessed, medicated and sleeping! I spent the better part of the next hour and a half doing all the paperwork getting caught up and at midnight it was time to start assessments again. This unit requires full assessment on patients every four hours. So as I make my rounds again, the boy end of the twins has a fever. So I go off to get some medication for him and come back and of course he screams and then wakes his sister and she screams. They scream so much they start throwing up.
They finally calm down and I am able to finally get my lunch and then back for more paperwork. After that I spent the rest of my break in a dark room with a wash cloth over my eyes and it was the most peaceful 25 minutes ever!
4 am rolls around and it is assessment time again and this time I go to the twins room and respiratory is in there and the sister was screaming. The cute brother was in his bed watching his sister like a hawk and tapping the floor... like hurry up lady! He let me assess him as he kept looking around me to have at least one eye on her.
5 am and it is time for medications... and sister needed hers. I quietly tiptoed in and woke up the aunt and we were able to finally give her some medicine without waking him... A miracle!!! I was then able to go and eat my supper.
6 am and I am writing up my final report sheets and ready to give the patients back to the day shift! I was so ready to get some medicine for myself and a bed...
The new travelers arrived and I met them... Corinne from Texas and Mary from New Mexico. Corinne and I hit it off immediately and have set up to talk later today about carpooling. Invited her to supper after she got off shift!
So off to bed I go so I can get up , clean up and cook for a new friend!
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