A week (or two) in review!

Today marks the end of our first week flying solo at Yale-New Haven Hospital! As I type, we are sitting in a sunlit (yes, in January) cafe in one of the historic neighborhoods near downtown, enjoying a lovely day off. It's been a little while since I've written, but that's only because I wanted to do our first week justice and write when not utterly exhausted, lol. So here it goes.

General hospital orientation: Let me just say that we are starting to notice a trend. Granted, I've only been through three, and this was just Pat's second, but they are all strikingly similar. For those of you who have never participated in hospital orientation, we'll line it out for you. The first day is spent trying to get your new employee buy-in. "Here is why we, Blank Blank Hospital, are great! And you are now great for being chosen to be a part of us!" This is my favorite day because it just oozes with administrative pride. It has very little to do with our actual job, but it's fun to see people so psyched who are so removed from patient care. The second day is called Things We Already Know. Now in fairness, maybe new grad RN's don't know the best practices for infection control (wash your hands) or how to protect patient health information (don't share your password), but eight hours of this borders on mind-numbing for those of us who do. By day three, you hope that there is a fire drill or maybe a lock-down. Thankfully, this is the day when the traveler nurse's training began to split ways with normal orientation. As in, "Here is your accelerated, very disorganized computer training. The next two days you will shadow another nurse. You'll be on your own next week, good luck!" For real.

First week: Monday, January 9th marked the first day we were independently responsible for patient care. This is when I truly began to appreciate my years in the float pool. Why, you ask? Because on my very first day without a preceptor, they floated me. Twice. Hahaha! It sounds like a joke, but tis the truth. I spent the first part of the day on a cardiac floor, and the second half of the day on a general medical unit. And it went surprisingly well! I can honestly say that the core staff was very kind, approachable and helpful. Also to my advantage, patients don't really change, no matter where you are in this country. A rule-out heart attack or abdominal pain/nausea/vomiting patient looks the same on the east coast as they do on the west. Phew! My nursing skills still cut it. But learning a whole new way of charting, and navigating a giant hospital's system is somewhat daunting. Thank God we are young :)

In other news: Our Ladybird is fairing quite well with the change of scenery and new living arrangements. The neighbors LOVE her - she's a show stopper wherever she goes! We went to a church on Sunday, which was both scary and comforting. I think we'll keep looking around, but it's good to know that there is spiritual life here. On Wednesday, we went car shopping...details to come ;) And this weekend we will be graced by a visit from my dearest friend for miles, Rachel!! The distance is starting to wear a little, and it's slightly overwhelming to think of making a well-rounded life for ourselves here. But God is good, and has taken care of us thus far. We are so incredibly blessed to have each other and our health, our family and friends, our lives. The adventure is the journey, and ours is just beginning.

Much love to you all, we miss you like you wouldn't believe. Til next time!