Blending in

Good day at work today. Started at 6 am, like usual. I went in back to start mixing bicarb jugs and string the machines. Then we found out our charge nurse had missed her alarm, lives across town, and won't be in until after 7. Oops! Usually there are two nurses and a tech and me. But today it was two techs and me. They called our supervisor and she asked me to take report on the patients. Okay, not a big deal But I was really excited to do this! I got to put my license to work, taking report like a real nurse. The only hard thing was not getting too many details. Since I don't know all these regular patients, I wanted to ask more about their history and current stay, but the other staff knows them so well it's not necessary. It was nice to feel really useful- I saved the team 20 minutes for when the other nurse arrived and we were rushing to get the patients in the door.

Right now I'm still only qualified to set up machines, assist in getting the patients connected (though not breaking skin or connecting catheters myself), returning blood and terminating treatment, removing needles, and cleaning up.

Tomorrow is computer training. I get to sleep in a tad, but probably work later in the afternoon to make up for it. Monday I did my orientation at the hospital. I'm very happy to have my official hospital badge with access to break rooms and utility rooms. I don't have to sign in at the front desk on the list of employees who "forgot" their badges. People don't overt their eyes, searching my person for a name badge, when they see me. I also bought some scrubs in the official colors for RN's at the hospital, so I REALLY blend in.

Netflix reincarnated

We just rejoined Netflix after a three year break. There's so much on there now! I'm impressed with the amount of British television - even all of series 1 Doctor Who (9th and 10th Doctors). I think I will be busy setting up a queue this afternoon. Also, I want to get a remote control for our xbox now, so we don't have to use the controllers.

Random thoughts

I realize I haven't written in a while. That's what happens when your life gets turned upside down. I haven't done the 5 days a week thing in, like . . . my life since high school. Seriously. Once I went to college I've had three day weekends for most weeks. Add a workday that starts at 6 AM and you can see why my home life has been a bit topsy turvy. So I'm updating you all that yes, I'm alive. Yes, I'm loving my job. I'm still posting pictures on shot-a-day (link on the right side). I might have more occasional, short blog posts from my phone, since I can do those on my breaks. Here are some other thoughts.

I'm CRAVING anthropologie clothes. When oh when will my first paycheck get here?

I'm planning to get a new (used) car this year. A big chunk of my paycheck will go towards that. Now whenever I drive I'm window shopping the other cars on the road.

Glee looks like it will be the greatest show this fall. Maybe even more than 30 Rock?

Oh wait, SYTYCD will have a season 6 this FALL! Crazy. This summer's season 5 is killah. I'm rooting for Melissa/Ade and Brandon/Janette for top four. They would do some wicked routines together.

I had lunch out today (guess where) and I saw a doctor in his lab coat, a cop in his blue uniform, and a sailor in his white dress uniform. Add to them my nurse scrubs and we looked like a children's book on professions!

I freaking love my iphone. I think I still love my macbook more, but it's a close race now that I'm away from desks all day.

I took out 6 giant needles from arms today. I did awesome in that no blood squirted and the patients didn't wince. Yay!

Amanda graciously loaned me some fun books. Reading is great. You all should get on Goodreads so we can make recommendations to each other.

Certain-Dri has changed my life. What is this new life? Where my pits are not mucky and clothing wet by the time I blow dry my hair? Where I can lift up my arms without fear? And in July with a nerve-wracking new job! Seriously, Certain-Dri is gaining on Instead cups for best hygeine revolution ever! (And since my family doesn't want to read about my feminine hygiene I'll refrain from describing that. But trust me, Insteads are a miraculous invention. Girlfriends, this is almost my favorite subject so ask me about them anytime.)

I spent hours reading a manual on ICD-9 coding today. Did you know there's a code for a disease called pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism? That was not a typo.

I kind of want a TV tuner card for our project hulu computer-tv. But its only purpose would be to record SYTYCD. Everything else is on hulu itself. Maybe not worth it.

Maybe we should restart Netflix this fall.

My cat is a druggie. It took three attempts to get her inside this morning. When I coaxed her with my feet she ran to get another fix of catnip. I had to pick her up and point her towards the door.

My house feels like a disaster. Not only is it not clean, but we have heavy summer heat. Blech. Also we had an ant infestation. I kicked it with combat traps. I've also seen two earwigs and a cricket in my kitchen sink. Dirty bugs . . . I declared tomorrow morning Clean Up The House morning.

Should I try a dry shampoo?

Back in class

I'm watching a video of graft placement surgery. It's surprisingly
gory and narrated by a bored Texan surgeon.

I prefer clincal to class. Time crawls by here.

"Feel the thrill." Fistula jokes...

1st day of work

I spent my first day as an RN watching saftey videos and completing
worksheets. It's kind of weird being part of a huge corporation. So
many orientation materials and check offs and training sheets.

I'm finishing this post on my second day. Much more interesting now.
Learning all about kidneys, like you might expect. Not as much A&P as
I'd like, I might fill in with my own study. This afternoon il learn
how to set up he machines. It's great to be employed.

Day of Making

I made a few things today.

This is a sweater I've been working on for a week or so. I started the first sleeve today. It's so weird knitting a sleeve. It felt like I was building a disembodied arm.

Here's the first skirt from my stash. I got the cotton print at Joanns, the orange trim was from Ikea. It only took 30 minutes! The selvage edge saves the time of sewing a hem; the waist is just elastic. I was inspired by the instructions on this site.

Then for dinner we had boxed mac and cheese with hot dogs. Because I'm awesome like that.

It's official

15 days later I was listed as a registered nurse with the state board! Finally. I called my future employment and they said to come in tomorrow to complete paperwork, and to plan on starting my orientation on Monday. Woot!

Jem is at daycare so I have a quiet, calm house. There's a storm blowing in, like most afternoons this spring and summer. I love them. I hate summer and its heat. The afternoon rain cools down the house and keeps my garden lush. I've been crafting a lot in my downtime, reading, and watching old TV series on Hulu. I picked up some fabric from Fancy Tiger yesterday and from Joann's this morning with visions of swishy skirts. I met Ben for lunch today. It's nice to break up the work day by having lunch out with family. We've done a few times since I've been out of school. I hope once I start working we can still do it on my days off.

Cakespy cupcake blog

Wow, suddenly I'm a guest blogger! on the Cakespy. Laurel, Miranda, and I wrote out our reviews of the Denver cupcake shops and the Cakespy blog posted them for all to see. Check it out here!