Better than I expected

Ladies and gents, I have survived my first week in Massachusetts. (First week tomorrow, but close enough).

Better than I expected has sort of been my go-to since I've been here; my perceptions have changed, but in a good way. It is...unlike anything I have ever experienced before. I've learned a LOT in the short amount of time I've been here, like the fact that the drivers here are called Massholes, and there's good reasons for it! I'm going to feel so sorry for my car's poor gas pedal when my tenure here finishes up. There are multiple ways to get just about anywhere, but I'm still not sure how the public transit system works, which I will hopefully get a taste of tomorrow when I venture out to the city! And orientation was a freaking breeze! Jeesh! One full day on Tuesday, half a day Wednesday and yesterday. Started out the unit today, one of many I will be working on. I have to admit, the first hour was rather rough, as I was already met with a bad apple. Charge nurse asked one of the two nurses to help me out, and one of them politely declined, saying that the unit I started out on wasn't their usual unit, which hey, I get that. A blind leading the blind so to speak wouldn't really do anyone any favors, and like I said, totally understandable. The other, however, flat out refused. I mean....FLAT. OUT. Refused. Refused as in said "no, I will not" d/t "leaving early." Charge nurse asked aforementioned nurse to take it up with the director, and along with another flat out "no," followed up with something to the degree of "you're the charge nurse, you deal with it." Yeeeeeeeeeah. Needless to say, the off-going shift nurse and the aforementioned charge nurse took it up with the director, who understandably was furious. I mean, like....you ever get kind of frightened when someone is really, REALLY pissed off? Yeah. Like that. So needless to say, I was whisked off that unit, taken to another one and all was fine and dandy. 

Y'all, as I've said many times before, I'm the youngest old school nurse you will probably ever meet. I would much rather handwrite a nurse's note than diddlefart on ANOTHER computer program, scroll down through countless pages of garbage just to find the right place to type your note. I would much rather flip through a paper MAR, initial my meds that I have, circle and initial the ones I didn't then once again, diddlefart on a computer, look for someone to type their initials as a co-signer for insulin or whatever high risk med and having to delete the time the med was given just to put in the time you actually did give it. I would much rather work 8 hour day shifts and get done when there's still some daylight, knowing all too well I'm working "more days" than work 3 day shift 12's and come home freaking exhausted, basically inhale something resembling food then getting ready for bed. But that's just me. That's the beauty of nursing, we like our preferences but learn to adapt and are totally cool with it. But it's been great here so far. I love my little Hobbit hole house! :) Everyone has been really nice, except when they're on the road. More to come in due time!