Saturday, July 26, 2008

It's my party...

I got 4 offers from my 5 interviews. I'm still deciding between two of them. My second choice hospital may help me out with my student loan so I have to take that into consideration. Once I hear from them, how much they can give me, I'll make my final decision.

In the meantime, I am back in Tucson finishing up my last semester of school. My current rotation is on a cardiac step-down unit, which means all of the patients are there for some cardiac condition and are on cardiac monitors. It also means I'm working 3-12 hour shifts a week. Not a big deal except they're Monday-Wednesday. Wednesday night I was tired. Thursday I thought I was going to die. It's now Saturday and I'm beginning to feel human again.

My first two days were uneventful. I had a really lovely gentleman and a psychiatric patient who kept trying to eat the fingerstick needles, however, Wednesday I had a very loving patient. My first encounter with his lovingness was when he needed a procedure so I held his hand. No big deal. Later that day I went to give him meds and he asked for a hug. Ok, still within my comfort level, I tried to do the one armed hug thing and he tried to kiss my neck!!! So the next time I went in he got out of bed and trapped me between the bed and the wall (blocking my exit to the door), and tried to kiss me!!!!! AAGGGHHHH! I, of course, pushed him away and told him that was not appropriate and then tried to avoid going into his room alone for the rest of the day. I would have tried to avoid him altogether but they tend to frown on abandonment. So lessons learned, never let a patient block your exit and I seriously need a boyfriend if the only action I'm getting is from my patients (which is against the law if I'm not mistaken, at least unethical and besides, he was not the patient I would want to be getting action from!).

Yesterday was my birthday and it was lovely. I baked my own birthday cake and planned my own party, which I know is funny but I got exactly what I wanted. My friends and I met at one of my very favorite restaurants, Oregano's for dinner. The wait was 2 - 2 1/2 hours and there was a wild monsoon brewing outside so it was hot, humid, and crowded inside. We decided to go with plan D and got our meals to go and headed back to my apartment. We ate and talked and laughed and I loved it. My friend Emily, who just moved to Phoenix from CA, came down and spent the night so we went to The Good Egg for a yummy breakfast, did some shopping, and went to see Mama Mia. Mama Mia was cute but not nearly as wonderful as the play. Then out to lunch and, sadly, she had to head home. It was a seriously wonderful birthday and I may not need to eat again for several days. I also loved hearing from so many of my friends and family members... I love you all. You have no idea how much strength I gain from my family and friends. I have learned so much from all of you and I miss you!

Graduation is in 19 days and my parents are coming out. I can't wait!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Interviewing...

My first choice hospital is a level 1 trauma center in Fairfax, VA. It is an amazing ER, they train new grads in trauma (unheard of), have computers in every room for easy charting, and it's HUGE! I was giddy just walking through. The only concern, my friend is a doctor there. I have been nervous about this as we've never worked together and it could be a new challenge for us. It's a bit like moving in with your best friend. She may be your best friend but may not be the best roommate. After seeing how large the ER was my concerns were appeased. And then the question...

Interviewer (I): "What does Dr. X say about doctors and nurses and working together?"
Me: "Well, we've been friends for a long time and while we've never worked together we've planned lots of activities together and we get along well. I think if we ever have a problem we'll work it out."
I: Blank stare.
I: Giggles.
I: "I meant, what does he think of the nurses on the unit?"
Me: "Oh. (embarrassed laughter) Why didn't you stop me?"
I: "You were on a roll. And it was funny."
Me & I: laughter...

At the conclusion of the interview she walked me out of the hospital, almost to the parking garage, and told me I could have the last spot in the October orientation. Come to find out later (from Dr. X) that she created a spot for me. I'm really excited to work with this women. I haven't enjoyed an interview that much...ever. The HR recruiter called today to officially extend an offer.

Guess I'm moving to VA.

P.S. In two days I interviewed at 4 hospitals in 5 units (3 ERs, 2 NICUs). I expect to hear from the rest of them sometime this week.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

The Rundown...

May: Finished my 3rd semester of nursing school

May 12-22 Went to London and Paris


May 22-June 7 Hung out with the family and my friend Jennie in CA and researched hospitals in Virginia


June 9-current Started my 4th and final semester of nursing school (wanted to stab myself in the eye everyday), went home for my grandparents 70th wedding anniversary, secured 5 interviews in VA - scheduled a trip for July, reconnected with the DeGeer family, spoke in Sacrament meeting and taught Relief Society on the same day.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Ugg

A few months ago, okay 7 months ago, I went to my regular appointment with my allergist and he did his regular check-up.
MD: "Julie, is your heart rate always this fast?".
J: "I don't know."
MD: "Let's recheck it. Still 115." "You take it."
J: "111."
MD: "Have you had problems with your heart?"
J: "Some palpitations from time to time but no, not really."
MD: "I'd like you to get an EKG. Every time you come in here you heart rate is well over 100."
J: (To self) That's just because you're hot.

So I went home and called the doctor he recommended to try and schedule an EKG. I couldn't get an EKG without a new patient appointment and the nurse said they wouldn't take me without one and to go to the ER. Not dying here. Not going to the ER. So I ignored it. Figured it was the allergy and asthma meds.

I'm no longer taking the allergy and asthma meds that would make my heart race/palpitate/etc. so when it didn't stop I thought maybe I should get that EKG. So I went to my current provider, with a different concern - I really just wanted sleeping pills for my plane trip to England, and brought it up.

So now I'm sitting here with a Holter monitor on. A Holter monitor monitors the electrical activity of the heart (EKG) for whatever time period it's set for. Mine is for 24 hours. It sucks. I have EKG leads stuck to my chest and TAPED on with tape that is visibly irritating my skin (and just plain irritating me), I can't swim, I can't shower/bathe/get wet and my heart hasn't done anything weird so far. Which means this will have been a tremendous waste of time, money, and my skin. Maybe it'll act up tomorrow. So here's the lesson, never mention a heart problem unless you think you're going to die imminently. Wait, if you think you have a heart problem you should probably see a doctor but if they hook you up to a Holter, call me and we'll commiserate.

Friday, May 02, 2008

New Love

My surgeon told me I should swim. My trainer told me I should swim. My massage lady told me I should swim. But I saw the sorority sisters heading to the pool in their skimpy bikinis and I thought, "ABSOLUTELY NOT!" That was until yesterday. After wearing my swimsuit in front of 700 some odd LDS single adults in HB the rec center pool didn't seem so intimidating. That and my friend Fabio said he goes every night and said I should come with him and he swims at night. So last night I went. AND I LOVED IT! I promised myself I would swim for 20 minutes and the first 10 were painful but then I got into a rhythm and when 20 minutes had gone by I wasn't ready to go. But I didn't want to over do it on the first night and never want to go again so I stopped. I looked forward to swimming all day today. We were originally planning on going at 6 but Fabio had to work late so I gave up a ward activity to go swimming at 8:30. I swam for 30 minutes tonight and would have loved to keep going but the pool closes at 9. Ahh, can't wait until tomorrow.

The latest

The past few weeks have been busy and I've been having a great time! My roommate Keri and I hosted a game night for our ward. We had a good turn out and enjoyed Sing Star, Guitar Hero, a host of other games. Then last weekend we went to the Huntington Beach Single Adult Conference and then Wednesday I was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, the honor and research society for nurses.

Enjoy the photos!

Game Night



Shauna and I playing Sing Star






Keri and Jeff






Fabio