Life goes on!

And on and on...

You want to know a secret?  Here it is:  It never ends!

Guess I need to hunker down and just get on with it.

Finally legal!

Finished!  Three total days of training, one classroom, two riding-course days.  Summertime is not the best time to spend 5+ hours a day on the course... especially when the misters in the shade area spring a leak and stop working when it's a 110+ day in Phoenix!

But that pales to the 2.5 hours it took me to navigate my way through the MVD to actually get the endorsement added to my license.  A form to fill out, another form to turn in, surrender the old license, get a new one.  Should privatize the DMV!  No need to deal with three different stations.  Three, actually four, different people because one started a process and then left for lunch...

Sorta humorous to ride up to the MVD, go inside to get the endorsement, to be able to legally ride off...

Then off to the Dealership to actually pick up the permanent license plates.  It's a way for them to get you back into the Dealership.  Finally home!  Showered and ready for a nap!  Switching back over to nights... gotta go to work tomorrow!

I'm exhausted!

Today, I spent 5+ hours riding a bike... day two of three, of a 3 day "riding" course.  Add, that it got up to 100+ degrees, limited intermittent shade, extreme situations, fatigue, minor dehydration... 

I was humbled. I learned some things, identified, owned, and started to correct bad habits...  This was a good decision.  I will be a better rider and driver!


One more day.  Then better prepared than the AZ DMV requires!

Training is a funny thing.  Anyone who has Military experience will understand, although I have none.  Just quasi-military... firefighter, paramedic, nursing.  From no or limited experience... to the max!  Better prepared for the middle...

No Lunch...

It's been a really long time since I didn't take a break during my shift.  Working nights the cafeteria is open for two hours, from 1am till 3am...  so for me last night, nothing but snacks, and although I might get disciplined, a patient meal box!

But I'm an Emergency Nurse, and last night, my needs were eclipsed by another's...

I am amazed and impressed that there is no judgement regarding history and situation when a true emergency situation exists... don't get me wrong, when the crisis is over and the results are back, then the "oh... that explains it!" happens...

My fellow nurses, lab techs, respiratory techs, rad techs, ED techs, and others stepped up, and not only helped me with this patient... but made sure my others were watched, cared for, and taken care of.  Teamwork at it's finest!

But the purpose of this little story, is a glimpse at my motivation.

I do what I do.  For some reason, I have always found myself being adept at handling crises, emergencies, and difficult situations.  And first and foremost... my priority is to avoid and prevent situations from unraveling into a true emergency!  Truly, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

The other night I received one of the biggest compliments I have heard.  One of the Rad Techs coming to take a portable CXR said to me, almost in passing, "I like working with you... you're always so calm."

That sums it up right there!  I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem... I remain calm, people around me see that I am calm, they remain calm. When I do get anxious and ask/call for help, I get a quick response... because I am the one usually responding to others...

There's more I could say, but I think that's enough.

Peace!

Scary situation!

There is a new class graduating...

It's amazing that I know nothing... yet for the next 6 months, I will be asked my opinion!  I seem to know everything about the patient...  and my every whim is an "order"...

And when I question you, ask you to clarify, make sure you are really sure...  and when I ask you again... that is a big, obvious hint!

The last thing I need is an attitude!

My job is to not kill anybody!

You are welcome!  By the way!

PGY-I Good Luck!

Nightshift

I must profess, defend, support, and declare... That those that work the nightshift are a "special" breed!

I have worked the vast majority of my life either doing 24-hr, multiple days, or night shifts.  And regardless, when the call comes in or the patient arrives, the game is on!

I'm two down, one to go... and I can't remember working so hard or being so busy these past two days, in a very long time!


Kudos to my co-workers!  We did it and got through it!

Same to the nightshifters everywhere!  We are truly a special group!

Midnight Sun!

No, I wasn't that far North... but almost!  Give it another month and maybe...

Although the "daylight savings time" did throw me off a bit!  My body said 9:30pm!!!  Time was 10:30pm...

But it was a bit interesting none the less.  Sunrise was around 5:30-ish... got "light" with dawn a bit earlier.  Yet sunset was 10:30-ish... with dusk lasting till almost 11:30-ish!  Between the time change, and the long daylight, it really messes with your internal clock!  I gazed upon a big orange blob around 10pm just above the horizon... it was truly a sight to see!  Actually quite beautiful! 

People out cutting their grass at 9:30pm... going for a bike ride late, watching the sunset... it was surreal!
I never looked up at night.  I regret that.  I was far enough North that I could have seen the Aurora Borealis, if it was on...

I really enjoyed my visit!  I miss my friend!

O Canada!

Now, I am not a world traveler.  In fact I have a very limited experience, only having been to three other countries besides the US.  So by no means am I an expert, nor will I consider myself "well traveled" until I have at least a few more stamps in my passport...

However, I just got back from spending a week in Grande Prairie, AB... for those not willing to Google, that's Alberta, Canada!

My time there was spent with a very dear, close friend!  We drove around town, went to the museums, walked through parks, went for rides, visited her friends & family, cooked, did yard work, shopped, went swimming... I only scratch the surface...

Not withstanding the metric system, which I now wholeheartedly believe one must be immersed in it to fully understand it; I experienced, felt, learned, and observed quite a bit in my week there!  Perhaps I will share some of it in the months to come.

But for now, next time you get a Canadian coin... like a penny, nickle, dime, or quarter... don't fret it!  In Canada, there is no discrimination between Canadian and US coinage of the lesser denominations... however; you better stick with the Loonies and Toonies!  And if traveling there, when you arrive at an International Airport, most often you can pay with US Dollars and ask for change in Canadian Dollars... just a tip/hint...

Peace!