Thurs. May 31, 2012
What a weekend!!!! I sure hope everyone's went better than mine did! My schedule was so messed up-nobody knew what was going on! Not even the Director of the unit knew what was going on! UGH

I was originally scheduled to work 7a-7p on Saturday, so I drug myself out of bed @ 5:30AM and found somewhere to park (which is no easy task), and found my way to the office. Luckily everything in the hospital is well marked because I had NO IDEA where I was going! Once I got to the ofc and checked in I was sent to 5SE (medical ICU). After wondering around trying to find that unit I get there, check in with the charge nurse and she tells me "I don't see you on the (staffing) list".  "WHAT?"  "Your not on my list"   "Oh-your on tonight...we have you scheduled for 7P-7A"   WTF?!?!   "Go home and get some sleep and we will see you tonight." So I go home and do just that. When I return and check back in @ the ofc, I tell the scheduler what happened. He looks on his computer and says "No, you were scheduled to work @ 7A" I explained what happened, he called the floor to make sure they had someone to orientate me and explained to them that yes-I WAS suppose to work day shift. All is well that ends well-I did have a good night once things were figured out.

Since there was an issue on Saturday's schedule, the receptionist helping me looked @ the rest on my posted schedule on the computer and told me I was scheduled to work 7a-7p on Monday (Memorial Day) much to my surprise! When I talked to the assistant manager on Friday, my schedule was: Saturday 7a-7p, Sun/Mon off, Tues I was to finish computer training 8-12 and then go to the hospital to finish my 12 hr shift orientating on the floor, Wed/Thurs 7p-7a orientate on the floor. I told him this and I was scheduled right on Wed/Thurs but nothing on Tues. and working Monday. CONFUSION!! He called Mike (the assistant manager who set this up) and of coarse got no ans. so he said since it was in the computer to plan on working Monday.

Sunday morning when I got done, I went to the ofc to check out and see if Mike had called to clear things up...he had not. I explained to the (new) scheduler what was going on and she also had no clue so she also called Mike without a response. She said that since it was on the schedule-plan to be here.
Sometime during the day on Sunday I texted Mike to see if I could clear things up, and never got a response either.

Anyhow-I ended up working Memorial Day. I get to work, they tell me which floor to go to...I get lost trying to find it, but eventually prevail. I check in with the charge nurse and she says..."We weren't expecting you until 3:00."  EXCUSE ME?!?!?!  "We have you here from 3:00-7:30"  REALLY?!?!?!  I proceeded to go back to the ofc and explain to them what I was told by the 8NE charge nurse and she's as confused as I am. She calls the director @ home and explains what is going on and that we haven't been able to get a hold of Mike. I personally talked to her and explained what Mike and I had discussed on Friday. She proceeded to check her information to see if Mike had left any message about my schedule...and guess what? I know you know...he had not! She even tried to tell me that the computer training was on Thurs...I don't know where she was getting her info from, but it wasn't a very good source! So anyway, they talked with the charge nurse on 5E (cardiac ICU) to see if I could orientate now instead of Thurs. night. Luckily of me they said yes! I ended up working 8 hrs on 5E and 4 hrs on 8NE (oncology ICU) ...once things got settled, I had a great day on the floors. The staff on both floors were awesome. Very nice and helpful.

On my way back to the truck after work, I listen to the voice mail that was left for me by Mike... apparently he didn't have cell service where he was at over the weekend. Anyway he is like-"I assume you didn't work today since it was a holiday..."  WHATEVER!!!  "yes-you do have computer class on Tues. and then orientation at the hospital after."

Tuesday I spent the morning in computer class and then went to the hospital to do paperwork and HIPPA compliance stuff, and then returned to 5E to finish orientation. Mike apologized profusely about the scheduling mix-up and took full responsibility. He also thanked me several times for being so flexible and making things work.

Wednesday night was spent orientating on 6NE (med/surg floor). Not much happened-had a good, uneventful night! I now have 7 days off (I finally got a schedule) and am going to Aunt Sara's house and we are going to Yellowstone Park this weekend! I need some relaxing time after this weekend!

Safe travels-
Laura

Sat. May 26, 2012

OK...sorry I haven't kept up for the past few days, but I had orientation Wed, Thur, and Fri and by the time I got home from work, the office @ the apt complex is closed & I don't have internet access yet (or cable for that matter).

Anyway...Orientation was long and tedious! Most stuff we did, we do every where I go (how to check blood sugars, tie restraints, HIPPA...) but Friday we did computer training. Just blows my mind...I am a "do it to learn it" type of gal, so will see how much sunk in when I actually get on the floor. I must say the view (when it wasn't clouded over) was BEAUTIFUL!! We were on the 22nd floor with an awesome view of the campus and even downtown. Friday there were a few clouds so we could see the snow capped mountains! We also were able to see the Space Needle as well...guess the campus isn't that far away from it-might have to go investigate it sometime.

On my way to orientation Friday as I was driving across the bridge, I drove under a bald eagle sitting on a light post. Granted, we have eagles in Iowa, but can't say I have seen one in the wild so close to such a populated area. I guess if there is good fishing it doesn't matter!

I live about 10 miles from the University of Washington and the hospital and the only way to get there is to go over Lake Washington...unless I REALLY go out of my way and go around Lake Washington.
The bridge I usually go over is a floating bridge! I guess it is on pylons? To look at it you would never know, and can't tell much difference driving over it either. I was expecting it to move with the water or something...

I finally met my assistant manager yesterday. Up until then I knew him only by e-mail or phone. Seems to be a nice guy, but I sure would like to get my schedule...I have no idea what nights I will be working. Makes it very hard to plan activities when you don't know when you work!
Well, I am orientating on the floor tonight so I should go get something to eat and take a nap.

Safe and happy travels-
Laura

Hi!
Well, I made it to my apt early this afternoon!! Thanks to my girls and the Christmas gift they gave me a few years ago (a GPS)! I have NO IDEA where I am about now, but I have every intention of finding out what is around me (oh yeah-and how to get to work).

The drive over the mountain pass was nail biting @ times! I literally was driving in the clouds for a portion of it! Snow all around, but luckily not on the roads. It rained most of the way here, with some possible heavy snow flakes up on the mountain pass. The temp only reached 45 for a low, so it all melted when it hit the truck. I can't believe how crazy some people drive up there!! I guess if you are used to it...

Got all of my stuff out of the truck and up to the apt-now just have to unpack. I guess I have nothing better to do tonight since I can't get my cable or internet hooked up until Saturday AM. What a bummer! Luckily Aunt Sara sent a bunch of books with me.

Well guess I should go exploring some before traffic gets too hectic or the sun goes down.

Safe Travels-
Laura

Sunday May 20th

Hi All!

Had an exciting day yesterday! Aunt Sara, Wayne, and I went to Lewis & Clark's Cavern about 10 min. southwest of Three Forks, MT. We took about a 2 hr tour of the cave-very neat! Its amazing the wonders of nature! I couldn't imagine walking through that cave without the aid of modern technology!!
(its very DARK in there without light)

We also took the time to go to the headwaters of the Missouri River...yet again another beautiful place.

Today Aunt Sara took me to The Gates of the Mountain just north of Helena, MT. Apparently there is a boat tour you can take through the actual passage, but not enough time for that today. Guess I will have to put that on "to do list"...maybe on the way home.

I left Helena early this afternoon and ended up in Moses Lake, WA. I spent most of my drive today in the Rocky Mtns. OMG was that a BEAUTIFUL drive!! Don't see scenery like that in Iowa!!  I will post pictures once I  figured out how to do it!!

Expect to arrive in Seattle early tomorrow afternoon and hopefully get settled into my apt. Orientation starts Wednesday...

Time to say "Good Night"!

Safe Travels-
Laura

Friday May 18, 2012

Hi!

Sorry it has been a few days, but I have been on the road & no real place to do this at. Anyway, I spent 14 hrs on the road Wednesday and finally laid my head down in Gillette, WY.   Defiantly a LONG AS* day! The drive was quite boring with not much to see until I got to western SD and the Black Hills-BEAUTIFUL place. Would love to bring by family there some day...

I spent Thursday driving from WY to Aunt Sara's house in Helena, MT...much better scenery on that day. I even saw 3 cowboys checking fences on horseback! Made it to Helena about 4:30 without problems.

Today Aunt Sara took me around Helena and showed me the sites. Lots of neat old buildings as well as new ones. I will try to post some pictures soon. Woke up this AM with 5 antelope in the yard! I sure could get used to this! While Aunt Sara was showing me some old mansions in town we saw one of the "urban deer" in someone's yard making a snack out of their bushes.

Going to Lewis & Clark's Caverns tomorrow-am quite excited. Stay tuned...

Safe travels-
Laura

Wed. May 16, 2012

Hello to all!

Just a quick note to let you know that I got underway this AM without too many tears. Excited to be starting this new adventue, but am not digging the drive. My body is getting too old for this! At least the day is beautiful without a cloud in the sky and the traffic has been min. so far...I am hoping to make it to Buffalo, WY today so not much of a drive to Helena, MT on Thursday to stay @ Aunt Sara's house for a few days.

Happy & Safe travels to you all!

Laura

Tuesday May15th

Hello all! Welcome to my first post! I leave tomorrow for my next assignment in Seattle, WA. Just thought this would be a fun way to take you all with me! Stay tuned for further updates as I attempt to figure this blog thing out :)

-Laura