What happens when you fall off the horse??... Get right back on!

Sometimes our "perfect" isn't as perfect as we thought, and sometimes what we want isn't necessarily what we need.

It has taken me a while to write this blog. One, because I didn't know what to say or how I wanted to say it. Two, because I have needed a few days to ride out this roller coaster of emotions (sadness, humiliation, anger, bitterness, defeat, etc). I wasn't going to post anything, but this is a blog and for some of you reading that might do travel nursing, I  wouldn't be heaping you any if I didn't tell you the true story. 

All that being said, my contract at UCLA ended. I'm not going to go into the details of things but it wasn't a good fit, and that's that. 

I have accepted another contract at a hospital located in Harbor City, a little south of LA and will be here until the end of May. I could write about what happened or what I think about things, but I have taken a different attitude for this one, what's done is done and all I can do is have a positive outlook for the next assignment. 

It's so easy to get caught up in the "what ifs" and "buts" when really what we should be doing is asking ourselves "what did I learn?" and "what's next". Let's just add this to one more obstacle that I have had to over come on this journey. I sure am getting the "full" travel nurse experience... good and bad!

Over the past few days, I have really taken into consideration what my goals are in life and what I truly see myself doing down the road. Although I have always seen myself being a nurse and I feel as if my passion is in women's health, maybe it's not for me, or maybe it's not for me right now. Don't jump the gun just yet, I'm not quitting my nursing career... only keeping my options open. I have always had an interest in doing hair and make up, and have looked into cosmetology school several times. I was usually doing a friend's hair for prom and have done make up for a friend's wedding. Something about the creativity and making someone feel their best.. I love it. Maybe since I'm out here in LA, why not give acting a shot like the rest of this city? I could end up on some commercial or in a TV show.. how cool would that be?! Since the Kardashians made "baby nurses" cool, I could be a live in nanny for a celebrity after their baby is born (yes it's a real thing, and yes, I have considered it). Who knows where I will actually end up, but this journey has helped me to see the endless possibilities in life. For now, I'm sticking to this nursing gig. If something comes up on the side we will see where that adventure takes me, but I have set out to do something and I am not one to leave tasks unfinished. 

I am so thankful for my supportive family that has had to deal with a lot of ups and downs from me in the past couple of months. I promise I didn't make this crazy move to deal with all of this. Craig, thank you for spending extra time with me this week and always putting me in a better mood. Jillian, thank you for the endless hugs and for always being available for a sweet treat. You all have put up with my wildest dreams, but that's what friends and family are for... right?

In the mean time, I have spent a few days by the pool, the stairs (I'm up to 10 rounds), and Runyon Canyon. There is never truly a dull moment out here! I am loving the weather, the people, and everything this city has to offer!

Thanks for readin', love y'all!!

xoxo

Hadley

..gravity..

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I recently went to see the movie Gravity in 3D this week, if you haven't seen it I highly recommend it! Despite what reviews said about it, I loved it! Sandra Bullock and George Clooney float around in outer space for an hour and a half, but sometimes you have to find the silver lining. I feel the older I get the more I get out of movies, especially ones like this.
We're all at different points in life, with different careers, families, stories to tell, etc. but that's what makes it all so interesting. Yes, the idea of traveling had always crossed my mind but I never imagined that I would actually do it. I was in a city that I loved, surrounded by friends that mean the world to me, with a job that couldn't have been better... life was easy. I took out on this adventure not really knowing what to expect. I want a year to be me, to figure out what I want in life and to have a goal for my future. I want to be able to explore the country and find out what I value most. I wanted time to spend with my brother, who I am so close with and being on opposite coasts makes it hard at times. Most importantly, I want a year to grow as a nurse, a job that I have been passionate about since I was a kid. So, how does this tie into Gravity?
For those of you who have seen the movie, I almost feel like Ryan (Sandra), a medical engineer sent out on a space mission. She has the training she needs but only on land, where she's comfortable. For those who haven't seen it, I won't ruin the movie for you but even the preview will tell you that she gets detached from the space station and is floating around lost, just hoping to finally run into something that can bring her back to whats familiar. So how is that me? I was at a hospital with my closest friends, given the training that I needed to work well on that specific unit. If there was a problem, I had my friends to go to without hesitation. I was in my comfort zone. Travel nursing is much different. Already, I have found that I have the skills I need to deliver a baby but I don't have the computer training down just yet. Learning a new charting system can take a regular nurse weeks, I had three days. Thankfully I am pretty computer savvy, but by the time I am back in my comfort zone it will be on to the next hospital. Despite what one may think, I am a little bit shy around new people so it is taking some time getting to know who I can go to for questions and who my friends are going to be. Like I said before, you either love or hate travelers. Once I am in my comfort zone it will be on to the next hospital. I'm getting use to a unit that is run by residents, different order sets, and a new way of doing things, I'm WAY out of my comfort zone (I've been doing the same thing with the same people for two years!!). Don't get me wrong, this is the thrill of travel nursing.. this is why we do it. Labor and delivery nurses crave an adrenaline rush and that is exactly what this is. This is only my first assignment, so I know each hospital will get a little bit better and that is what I'm looking forward to. By my third or fourth assignment, my new comfort zone will be walking into a hospital not knowing anyone or anything and being able to dive in head first. Despite the battles Ryan was facing, she was able to use her skills the way she needed (putting it the best way to not ruin it for you).
My first day on my own was this past Tuesday, with two deliveries before 11 in the morning (getting out of recovery around 1). To quote the movie...."The way I see it, there are only two possible outcomes. Either I make it down there in one piece and I have one hell of a story to tell! Or I burn up in the next ten minutes. Either way, whichever way... no harm, no foul. "- Ryan.  I had two options, hit the ground running or give up... I hit the ground running, and this is my story to tell! It was the busiest day I've had in a long time (maybe ever). After that I was able to shadow my first c-section at this hospital, just to get how things are run in the operating room. That being said, I didn't get a break to sit down until five o'clock. By that point I was so hungry that I wasn't, and sitting made my feet hurt worse than standing. I am thankful for this day, I have learned so much from just that one day experience, and this is what I'm living for as a travel nurse.

"Either way it's going to be one hell of a ride! I'm ready!"-Ryan

For those of you back "home" in Charlotte, stay safe in the winter storm!! All of your Facebook posts and Instagram pictures have made me want a warm southern meal.. Too bad that doesn't help my bikini body for when I'm at the pool tomorrow! :)
Happy Valentine's Day!

Thanks for readin', love y'all!

xoxo

Hadley

One week down..

I figured I needed to get my first week under my belt before I had anything to write about. This week was my first week on the floor and the three shifts, and only shifts, I will have on orientation (yikes!).  I was to orient on day shift but things got changed around and I am now back on "the dark side" (night shift). We knew taking this assignment that we would be on a day and night rotation but so far my schedule only reflects nights. Seeing that it's three months, I'm pretty sure I can suck it up. My body has responded pretty well,  so long as I get to bed right away. Coffee at four in the morning pretty much assures I will make it through the last three hours and safely home.
My preceptor has been absolutely amazing! She has helped me get use to the way things are done around the unit, showed me where things are, and helped me get use to charting. She even typed me out a sheet with important things to know (so helpful!). Every hospital charts on the computer a little bit differently, UCLA uses a system called Epic. So far I really like the system, it's just getting use to it. I think if I already had experience with this charting system this transition would be a lot easier for me, but it's nice I'm getting it out of the way on my first assignment since a lot of places are going to Epic.  Of course the more shifts I work the more comfortable I will be with things but I have to admit, after this first week I'm a little overwhelmed. The people I'm working with are great, they are a bunch of young girls who are eager to help out and work great as a team. I feel like even out of orientation I am still able to go to any of them with questions which is exactly what makes a unit work (or not work). We have residents at this hospital, making it a teaching hospital, which is a lot to get use to. I can't say one way or the other that I like it or not yet. It's nice to have them around to consult and ask questions, but I think sometimes they get ahead of themselves so I'm quickly learning when I need to stand my ground.
I'm also learning quickly that as a traveler, you have to have a strong back bone. Not always are travelers well accepted on units and sometimes you have to stand up for what you know to be right. That being said, it is important to be confident but not afraid to ask questions. I absolutely do not want to be known as the "lazy" traveler who does nothing or the one that knows too much. The doctors will walk all over you as they try and get to know you; they can tell you're learning but this is where confidence comes into play. Being comfortable on the unit will come with time, I'm not worried about that, it's just a little overwhelming at first. Overall, I love the hospital and I can't wait to see how I grow as a nurse. The experience here will be priceless!!

I am still enjoying this California lifestyle!! The weather has been great and we FINALLY got our first day of rain (I never knew I could want it to rain so bad, but it's so dry!)! I was able to have lunch with one of my Chi Omega sisters, Christine, who recently moved out here with her husband. It was nice to catch up and have another familiar face out here!!

Craig and I spent last weekend painting his room which was a fun bonding experience. I am so
thankful for this time I am getting to spend with him, I couldn't ask for a better brother! He was nice
enough to let Jillian and I come with him to his friend Julian's (funny right?)  Super Bowl party. We always have a great time with those guys and I'm appreciative that they have taken me in as their "little sis" as well.

As a form of exercise, I have been going down to Santa Monica to do "the stairs". They are a scene for a lot of celebrities but also a brutal workout if you do them enough times. I think there are close to 200 stairs and after doing them eight times (up and down is one) my legs were jello. It's a great way to get outside and be by the beach! I also spotted Robert Richard there, you may know him from Coach Carter or Cousin Skeeter.

We have seen a few celebrities here and there. The most famous so far has been Drew Berrymore, she was in The Grove across the street. Although she is pregnant, I would love to see the wonders make up and hair could do for some of us!! For those of you back home in Evansville, if you have seen the movie Back in the Day (native Michael Rosenbaum's new film out) the guy that's pretty vulgar, Nick Swardson, was casually walking down the street the other day. He is also in several
other well known comedies, most recently Grown Ups 2.
Last but not least, we have a cookie place across the street from the hospital that I'm sure is going to be my downfall. My friend Kathy told me about this place and now I can't get enough of it. For anyone that knows me, sweets are my weakness! This picture is to show you my battle every day. They have any type of cookie and you can even get ice cream cookie sandwiches for dirt cheap!

Well, that's all I've got for this week!! I will keep you updated with things going on out here. We're finally getting a paycheck!! Thanks to everyone for all of your love and support on this big adventure in my life!! It all means so much to me!!

Thanks for readin,' and love y'all!! 

Hadley