All Work And No Play

The last week and half has been pretty insane.  Last Monday I found out that a travel job I had applied for required a certification that I didn't have.  I had applied 6 weeks prior to finding this out and was more than irritated that this wasn't brought to my attention earlier.  The certification is not one that is offered frequently in any particular city.  Although it was probably too late for this particular job, I did a quick search to try to find a class anywhere near me, so this certification wouldn't continue to haunt me.  My two options were a class in Dover, NH conveniently only about an hour and 15 minutes away, but unfortunately going to be held on Wednesday and Thursday... just two days away AND I was scheduled to work both days, OR there was a class in New Jersey in a couple weeks that I would be off work for, but it was 5 1/2 hours away and would require two nights in a hotel.  I really didn't want to invest 11 hours in a car and two nights stay in a hotel in the middle of Jersey for a certification for a job I probably wouldn't get anyway.  Thankfully, a miracle happened and my co-workers pulled through for me.  I switched my friend Janice my Wednesday for her Tuesday and spent Tuesday at work sweet talking my friend Karin into switching my Friday for her Thursday.  YAY!!!  All that switching however,  put me working/in class for 7 days straight.  After all that I got one day off and then was back on for one more, which was icing on the cake of my exhaustion.  I am now enjoying three very much earned/needed days off.

The class that I took was great!  For those that are wondering it was AWHONN Intermediate Fetal Monitoring.  I took it at a hospital in Dover, NH with about 8 of their nurses.  It was really interesting to hear a lot about how they do things in their hospital, as obviously a lot of the conversation turned to their experiences.  At one point I did however have to be "that girl" that requested that we get back to the class material... What?!?  I didn't want to stay late to hear about how the nursery wasn't getting adequately notified about deliveries!!  Same story, different hospital.  :)  Anyway, a lot of the information I already knew, but it's always good to get a refresher.  More and more I'm learning how much research is evolving the way we do things in healthcare and it is so important to stay on top of it.  Where ever I end up in my next permanent job I'm setting a high priority on the hospital being very active in the continuing education of it's nurses.  I'm talking classes, conferences, lunch & learns, etc.  I want it to be an expectation, not something you just do on your own.  Yes, I've taken myself to conferences on my own, and I have no problem doing that, but it's different when the place you work for is on board with what you are learning. 

I'm not planning anything too exciting for my three days off.  Today I worked out and filled the fridge which had become baren.  Then continued my "recovery" from my long stretch of work.  It's also been raining and gloomy for the great majority of the past two weeks.  There might have been one nice day, but I was definitely stuck inside.  Friday and Saturday are supposed to be nice, so I'm sure I'll find something to do outdoors.  Saturday night is Game 7 for the Caps vs Rangers in the Stanley Cup Semifinals.  I am really looking forward to watching, and I really hope the Caps can win in regulation time as I have to work Sunday morning and 3 OTs don't really bode well for me and my 5am wake up call.  Honestly though, I don't really care how long it takes if they end up with the W!

May is super packed between now and my last shift.  I get to see my friend Samantha from DC here while she is visiting family, Brian (my brother) comes in 10 days, and my last day of work is in 20 days.  Time is going fast, but I'm happy.  I love it here, but I am so anxious to get home.  I haven't seen my family since Thanksgiving.  I feel like I'm just in a holding pattern at this point, just waiting for the next step.  I don't really like that.  That part of it makes me want to just go for a permanent job, but I think a travel assignment is the best thing if I can get one in Minneapolis.  We'll see.  Nothing in the works for right now.

My First Visitor!!

I had another big week last week.  On Wednesday Debbie and I went to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.  The museum is free after 4pm on Wednesdays, so we took advantage.  Just like many of the Smithsonian Museums in DC, the Museum of Fine Arts was huge and overwhelming.  It seems to go on forever.  There's so many wings, we could have stayed all day and still not see everything.  After a few hours and highlights of seeing the works of Monet, Van Gogh our stomachs yearned for delicious bar food and Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Quarter Finals, Bruins vs. Capitals.

Claude Monet- Water Lilies, 1907

We went to a bar close by for dinner and the beginning of the game, then decided when they started pulling out stuff for Trivia Night that we needed to find a different bar.  We found an Irish Pub that was perfect with a good crowd and seats in front of a TV.  I silently cheered for the Caps as the Bruins college age fans around us proceeded to become more and more drunk and obnoxious.  The game went into OT before the Caps scored the winning goal.  The whole bar went silent and I just smiled.  To be perfectly honest, if the Caps would have lost I would have then cheered for the Bruins for the rest of the tournament, but those kids were annoying so it made me happy to have them silenced.

Late Thursday night my good friend Stephani flew in from Omaha for the weekend.  It was great having a little bit of home here and to show her around.  Stephani is training for a half marathon, so Friday morning we started with a run around a lake a few miles from my apartment.  Afterwards, we drove up north to explore the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway.  It's a 85 mile route that takes travelers through "historic seaports, colonial era farms, village and city centers, and a wealth of period architecture".  We made it through about half of it.  We drove through Lynn, Swampscott, Marblehead, Salem (where we had lunch), Beverly, Manchester-By-The-Sea, Gloucester, and Rockport.  I've previously explored some of these areas when I was here in 2008, but it was fun to show Stephani this gorgeous part of the US.  I myself, could drive coastal roads/highways all day, everyday.

Steph and I in Gloucester

Rockport, MA- There was the cutest B&B right behind me.

Friday night we ventured into Boston and ate dinner at Dolce Vita in the North End.  The North End is famous for its amazing Italian restaurants.  Dolce Vita is one of the more authentic.  The owner is this big Italian guy who is very involved in everyone's dining experience.  He even turns down the lights and belts out Happy Birthday to celebrating patrons.  There's also a old man that serenades you while playing the accordion.  The food is also delicious!  After dinner we went to a bar nearby and probably had a little too much fun.

Saturday afternoon we walked the Freedom Trail while I educated Stephani about Boston's rich history out of my Frommer's Boston travel guide.  Just after we had passed Paul Revere's house in the North End we were stopped on the sidewalk by a woman saying she had written my book and wanted to know how I was liking it.  What???  I was so thrown off as I figured some big group of people worked together to write a Frommer's Guide.  She continued to ask if I had any suggestions for anything else to add to the book and if we wanted any tips for what to do and see.  I was totally confused and wished I had taken more advantage of running into her.  It wasn't until we walked away and I read inside the cover that the author, "Marie Morris lives in Boston, not far from Paul Revere".  Then I saw her picture.   I spent the next hour saying over and over again how I should have taken her picture with the book! LOL!  After we finished the trail I took Steph to Top of the Hub so she could get the best view of the city.  The pomegranate mojitos aren't bad either.  :)

Paul Revere statue with Old North Church behind it.  The church is where  two lanterns were held as signal from Paul Revere that the British were marching to Lexington and Concord by sea and not by land. "One if by land, two if by sea."

Old State House- The Declaration of Independence was first read to Bostonians from this balcony.
Below where the group of people are standing is the spot of the Boston Massacre

Old Granary Burying Ground- Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, John Hancock, and the victims of the Boston Massacre are buried here.

View from Top of the Hub

Another view- if you look closely you can see Fenway Park... so small!

Saturday evening we went to Legal Seafood with one of Steph's good friends and her husband who happen to be in town for the weekend as well.  Dinner was amazing!!  I'm typically not a big seafood person, but I might be swayed.  I need to keep taking advantage of the fresh fish while I'm here!

Sunday morning we toured Harpoon Brewery.  It was a great tour with tons of sampling!  At the end the opened up the taps to us and we got to try as many as we wanted until our time was up. Steph and I were in no shape for driving afterwards!  We walked to a nearby little seafood place and then took a little walk around the waterfront before I drove her to the airport. We had a great time!  It was fun to show someone around "my" city.

Harpoon Brewery

I have about 4 1/2 weeks left here, and I am sure it's going to fly by.  My friend Samantha is going to be in the area visiting family in a couple weeks, so I'll get to hopefully meet up with her, and then my brother, Brian will be flying out for 4 days in a few weeks.  I'm super excited!!

Best Week Yet!!

I apologize for the lack of a post last week.  I didn't have much to report, but this post should make up for it.  I've had quite a busy last week or so!  Time is going fast here in Boston.  I'm half way through my assignment here, and just had my favorite week of adventures so far!

Last Tuesday took myself for a day out in Boston.  First stop was the Museum of Science.  I got there with only a few hours left before it closed, so I walked around the exhibits as much as I could, took in an IMAX movie about dolphins, and then finished up with a few more exhibits.  The museum is pretty cool, but definitely geared more for kids.  I would have loved it when I was little.  They stamped my ticket so I could go back since I was only there for a few hours... maybe I'll have to borrow someone's child if I go back.

After the museum I walked through my favorite neighborhood and the most famous, Beacon Hill.  The streets are lined with row houses, brick sidewalks, and gas lit street lights..  Most of the houses have window flower boxes.  It's been home to many famous people, like John Kerry, Louisa May Alcott, Ted Kennedy, and John Hancock.

Acorn Street

Beacon Hill is right next to Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden where I continued my walk.  For those that aren't familiar, Boston Common is basically a big park in the middle of the city, much like Central Park in NYC, but much smaller.  There are baseball fields, playgrounds, a lot of green space, the Frog Pond, and of course a historic cemetery.  Past the Garden is Newbury Street that is lined with brownstones housing tons of shops and restaurants.  I decided to stop for dinner at The Parish Cafe which was recommended to me.  It's basically a restaurant where each sandwich is created by a different local chef.  Pretty neat idea.  To end the night I took myself to the movies.  Saw 21 Jump Street.  It was pretty funny.  When I finally made it home I walked into the lobby to find a 9 week old yellow lab puppy.  He was adorable!!!  He topped off my night with some puppy kisses.  I'm definitely going to need a puppy when I get settled... or a least a neighbor with a puppy I can borrow.  :)

Make Way For Ducklings-spring hats!

Beacon Hill from across the Common

Friday night after work I met up with my friend Debbie to kick off our huge weekend we had planned.  We met in Cambridge for dinner at Green Street Grill where I had one of the best burgers I've ever had.  It was delicious!  I'm definitely going to have to get it one more time before I move!

Saturday Debbie took me to my first Red Sox game!  It was awesome!!  Fenway has such a great atmosphere and we were fortunate to see an exciting game as well!  Boston won 13-5.  I think they hit somewhere around 5 homeruns.  It was a blast!  Afterwards we met up with friends at the bars nearby.  Unfortunately the bars weren't quite as exciting or fun as the game.  You know it's time to call it a night when someone (else) throws up all over your feet!!  Thank God I was wearing cheap flip flops.  Ugh so gross.

Sunday Debbie and I headed to Newport, RI.  I've been dying to do the Cliff Walk since I was last living in Boston back in '08.  It was a gorgeous day!  The Cliff Walk is a 3.5 mi public access walkway along the Newport shoreline.  There are huge mansions along the way.  It's absolutely beautiful!  We didn't plan ahead for this trip, but we'd like to go back again and do the mansion tours.  We ate a late lunch downtown on the waterfront and walked through the shops.  It's a really cute town.  Made for the perfect day trip!

Monday was big day in Boston, Patriot's Day.  It's observed the 3rd Monday in April and commemorates the anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles on the American Revolutionary War.  It's a civic holiday in Massachusetts and Maine (once part of MA), and according to wikipedia also observed by public schools in Wisconsin (RANDOM!).  Anywho, for Boston that means that not only are the Sox playing in town, it's also Marathon Monday!!  Debbie and I met in the city to watch the race and cheer on the runners.  We found our spot at the 24.2 mile mark... or 1 mile left of the race sign.  The marathon starts with wheelchair participants, then the elite runners, and then the rest of the runners.  In order to run the Boston Marathon you have to either qualify or raise money (at least $3000) for a qualifying charity.  Qualifying times for 18-34 yr olds are under 3hr 10min for men and 3:40 for women.  For the 2013 race those times are being decreased by 5 minutes.  Fun fact: I would have qualified with my marathon time if I were 75.  Haha!!  It was crazy hot for the runners... 89 degrees.  The temperature coming off of the cement was 120.  We saw several people go down.  Honestly, I was in the shade and getting lightheaded just yelling for the runners!  22,535 people started the race, 932 dropped out before finishing.  2,681 runners received treatment at a medical tent, 215 were taken to the hospital with 15-20 admitted overnight.  It was my first race that I attended that I didn't run.  I had a blast!  Made me want to run another marathon... someday.  :)  Took some pointers too.  Next big race I run I'm writing my name somewhere on my body.  It was so much easier to cheer for specific runners, so it was nice when you knew their names.  It's also really fun and encouraging to be a runner and hear people specifically cheering for you.  We spent about 7 hours at the race.  Just as we were leaving we saw Team Hoyt.  If you don't know who they are check them out.  Pretty inspiring.  I remember learning about them in middle school.

After the race we found had dinner on a patio on the waterfront, then grabbed seats at the bar next door and watched Game 3 of round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Bruins vs Washington Capitals.  I've been to see both teams play, but I'm rooting for the Caps, although I kept my cheering to myself in a bar full of Bruins fans.  :)  We lost anyway, but I just finished watching a Caps victory in Game 4!  It's fun to watch the match up!

Activity Low, Emotions High

This week has been low key as far as excitement.  I don't have any exciting adventures to tell you about.  It was an emotional week though.  I wrote quite the lengthy post about some events that happened at my previous hospital this week.  After reading it over I decided that it wasn't quite blog appropriate.  It's something that really upset me and tipped me over the edge with sadness and anger.  All I'll say about it for those that read this that are involved is you guys are some of the best nurses I've ever worked with and I am so very very thankful to have had the chance to learn from you all and share in the miracle of life that we are so lucky to make a career out of with you guys.  You are AMAZING nurses and are irreplaceable... regardless of what anyone else thinks or how anyone else may make you feel.  You are true professionals and always have your patients' best interest at heart.  Love you all and miss you terribly!!

Moving on...  This week, week 4 of my contract (week 3 on the unit) I started to feel comfortable..errr a lot less awkward.  I finally have all my passwords and access to things required to do my job... well except for a key to some cabinets, but it's a big improvement from having to have another nurse pull medications for me every time I need them.  Oh, I suppose I also don't have "privileges" to make/print out care plans on the computer... DARN!!  Anywho, I've been feeling a bit more comfortable with work.  I think I've decreased my daily question count from 1,743 to 679 or so.  I've been thinking about and hoping I was nice and helpful to the travelers I have worked with before.  It sure is A LOT to learn!  My biggest struggle with this hospital is losing my independence.  I've never had a crowd of professionals when pushing with a patient for hours.  I've never had to explain my strategies or consult so many people.  There are a lot of positives and a few negatives, but most of all a lot of adjusting.  It's funny, and for non-labor and delivery people it might seem really weird, but I was sort of giddy when I had to check my patient in the OR today because she complained that she needed to push and there was no doctor available.  It's the first time I've gotten to check my own patient since I started.  I was relieved to find that I still could do the assessment myself.  I'm not the biggest fan of always trusting someone else's exams.  Maybe I have trust issues?  Today was by far the busiest day I've worked.  Thankfully the labor bus pulled up after my c/s because it was my first one... there hasn't even been one performed during ANY of my shifts in the last three weeks.  Yeah, sip on that for a little bit my Clubbers! It was nice to have a nurse available to guide me through their process and charting. After that, things blew up and of course that's when I became a helpless nurse with half of my allotted 679 questions for the day.  I feel bad that I wasn't more help to the others.  I still have a pretty stellar NCB (natural childbirth) to epidural ratio going although I can't take any credit.  These women are amazing.  They are so strong.  I had a cute little lady that other day who was thinking she couldn't tolerate the pain any longer.  We checked her and she was 6-7cm.  Her response: "Oh, I don't think I need the epidural anymore.  I think I can do it."  She never looked back and had the most controlled delivery I've seen in a long time.  Love!!!

This week also brought another reminder of how much I want to be living closer to my family.  My brother had to put his dog to sleep today after she suddenly started having seizures and other neuro changes.  They suspected a brain tumor and Brian decided to put her to sleep to end her suffering.  My parents were able to be there for him, but it's just one of those things you want to be able to show your support in person.  It's not the same over text or phone.

Really, I wish I could split myself into 3 people and be everywhere at once.  Perhaps live a couple different lives??  I suppose this one will do.  It's a pretty damn good life.  I'm so thankful for all the opportunities/adventures I've had and the people I've had the pleasure of getting close to along the way.  I wouldn't change a thing this far... well nothing major anyway.  :)

I'm watching the Academy of Country Music Awards while I write this and they keep showing previews for The Lucky One starring Zac Efron.  Would you stop reading my blog if I told you that I seriously can't wait to see this movie?  Call me a cougar, but that Zachary David Alexander is "aging" quite well my friends, and I am not afraid to admit it.  Yep, he has two middle names.  I just consulted wikipedia.  He's only 3 years younger...

Tidbits

The residents in my building are always in a rush.  Every time I get in the elevator with one of them they frantically push the close door button.  I learned on the first day I lived here that the button doesn't work, but these people are consistent and keep trying.  I'm almost insulted that they are in such a hurry to get the elevator going so they don't have to spend that extra 3 seconds of wait time with me.

The T (train/metro) stops running at midnight... even on the weekends.  It's probably the worst thing about this city.  My cab budget has increased dramatically.

The other day I was hanging out in Boston Common enjoying the beautiful day.  I was equally enjoying my book as well as the watching the man about 15 feet away from me read his book aloud to himself.  After a while he did about 10 minutes of fitness (sit-ups, push ups, and some sort of squatting action), then he gathered his things and went on his merry way.

At the Prudential Building you can pay $14 to go up to the skywalk on the 50th floor to see 360 degree views of Boston, or you can go to Top of the Hub restaurant on the 52nd floor and enjoy the same views by purchasing a $12 martini... no brainer??

Today I did a Celebrity Draft with my friends from DC via Skype.  Yep, just like a football draft.  You get points for how many times your celebs get on magazine covers, have babies, get married, best dressed list etc, you lose points for going to rehab, worst dressed, break ups, etc.  It was something I was really looking forward to before I moved.  I couldn't miss out!

Boston Week Two: Welcome to LD, St. Patrick's Day, and Harvard

Monday I started working on the floor at my new job, and by Wednesday night I was working "on my own".  Traveling nursing is pretty crazy.  Somehow I managed to figure enough out in two days to take care of my own patient with only a little... or maybe a lot of help from my co-workers.  There's still a lot to get used to, mostly remembering what I don't have to do.  I seriously feel more like a tech than a nurse sometimes there.  The docs are way more hands on and there is surprisingly A LOT less paper work!  WAHOO!!!  It obviously is still work, and I know some days will be tougher than others, but overall I feel like it might be like a little vacation from work as I knew it at "The Club".  Can't complain about that!!  Some info for those that are interested, they don't do deliveries under 37wks... level 1 nursery, anyone who's really sick gets transferred out.  Everyone who gets a fever >100.4 gets dx chorio.  Serial inductions are common... very common, although inductions are rare as well.  PAs run the show under the supervision of the OBs.  There are also midwives in house and they run a birth center across the street, so anyone what turns high risk or needs pain control comes over.  On the first day I had an induction, and not once was I asked what the pitocin was running at.  Needless to say, the c/s rate is quite low.  Oh, and docs and nurses are on first name basis... every last one of them.  I've had two deliveries and both made it without epidurals... by choice.  :)

Friday I met up with a few ladies that I worked with when I lived here before.  We went to dinner in West Roxbury and had drinks.  We had a blast.  Love those girls!  They definitely made moving to a big new city and new job so much easier the first time around.  Only downfall of the night was not paying attention on the T on the way home and getting off the train one stop too early.  Fail.  Luckily, the wait for the next one wasn't too terribly painful.

Saturday was of course St. Patrick's Day... also significant as Evacuation Day holiday for Boston which commemorates the evacuation of British forces from the city of Boston following the Siege of Boston early in the American Revolutionary War.  Not sure how many of the people binge drinking yesterday knew that, but a little history lesson none the less.  Thank you wikipedia.  Anyway, we did our part in celebrating.  We started around 1pm and made our way through several different bars, but managed somehow to not make it to one single Irish Pub.  Impressive, I know.  I was proud of us though, managing to stay out until around midnight without significant drama or sloppiness.  We had a great time!

Today Debbie and I were going to head to Southie for the St Patrick's Day Parade.  Today was also supposed to be the most beautiful day of the year so far.  Unlike the rest of the US, Boston has NOT been having 70+ degree days for the last couple weeks.  We've stayed in the 40s.  Debbie and I decided to skip the parade and the crowds to enjoy the day walking through Harvard.  I've never been to the campus before.  Today was perfect.  It was 70+ degrees and sunny.  We walked all around and ended up having a late lunch near Harvard Square.  We enjoyed the fresh air (through open windows) with a delicious cheese plate, glass of wine, and great entrees.  We felt like we were on vacation.  Maybe because the weather was so drastically different than what we've been used to.  Loved it!  It was a great day to top off an amazing weekend!!

A Weekend of Fun, Organization, and Fitness!

After a long week of orientation I had a great weekend.  I went out with friends both Friday and Saturday nights.  Friday I went out in Waltham with my friend from orientation and one of her friends.  We had a great time.  I love meeting new people.  Saturday we went to a couple of places on Boylston St.  The bars have been a lot of fun.  Every interaction with people I have has been great.  Everyone is so friendly and welcoming.  We met this group of people that were so much fun.  One thing I've noticed is that the boys in this area seem to love to dance... with or without girls.  It's hilarious! I wish I had video of some of the stellar dance moves I witnessed. 

I finally got everything put away and organized in the apartment.  I didn't have much left to do, but I had been avoiding the last few things. My closet is so organized!

 I also found the gym in my complex.  I've really been slacking lately, and I am determined to get back into shape.  Sunday morning I woke up super sore and I couldn't be more excited about it.  Haha!  Today I was lazy, until I realized it was 60 degrees outside.  I just had assumed it was cold.  It's been 30-40 degrees for the majority of the time I've been here.  Anyway, I decided I would take a quick jog just to get out of the apartment.  A quick jog ended up being a couple miles longer than I expected.  I was sure to bring my ID, but I neglected to bring cash or my Charlie Card (for the train).  I had just planned to "get lost" running around the neighborhood to explore, but didn't intend to actually get lost.  I made a few turns thinking in a grid I would end up back home or at least close to it.  Unfortunately, Boston and the surrounding areas don't believe in grids or any sort of pattern of roads that makes sense.  Needless to say I got lost and am very thankful to the lovely people who directed me back home.  On the positive side, I got a great run in beautiful weather and a lesson learned.

This week I'll be working on the unit for the first time.  I'm pretty excited to meet everyone, and anxious to get back to a career that I love.  In my free time I want to work on making a Boston and surrounding areas bucket list.  Three months flies by, so I want to be sure to do and see as much as I can.  If you have any suggestions on where I should go or what I should do, please comment!  I love taking day trips!