I can't believe that it's been two months since I last wrote something, or that I only have one month left in Arizona! This assignment seemed to fly by, and I have been learning to enjoy life in the moment.
If you are in my shoes (young, single, and child free) or if you can make it possible to be in my shoes and your best friend lives far, far away make it a requirement to go live with him/her. If it's for a week, month, year, whatever, just make it happen. I am so thankful for Katherine (Kathy) to have allowed me into her life and home for my time out here. I have learned the ins and outs of a manager position and what makes her the person that she is. We have laughed together, cried together, and truly lived life to the fullest.
First of all, this assignment has been challenging and hard, but so worth it. I am working at a hospital that sees all kinds of things. Most of our patients have little or no prenatal care with a high population on drugs. These patients have challenged me and worked me to the bone. Some nights are crazy and I wonder where I will find the energy to go back for another shift, and then I have a patient that reminds me why I am a nurse. The stories at this hospital have been endless and the laughter and memories I have shared with these nurses will forever stay with me. When you are doing almost two hundred deliveries a month with a core of six nurses on night shift total (not a night, the whole staff for nights), you learn to really like each other and lean on each other for support. These girls have shown me what team work is and that no matter how stubborn you want to be, you will always need your team. I have learned the importance of when to be confident and when to be humble. As a traveler, I think it is important to go into a place with humility and a willingness to learn, but you must also quickly learn to prove yourself and gain trust with others. Each assignment will teach you something and make you grow as a nurse. You will meet a lot of travelers and probably learn that someone has a better stipend pay or housing deal but the more you travel, the more knowledge you will have when the time for another contract comes up. Don't hesitate to wheel and deal with your recruiter, if you give in easily they won't always give you the best deal. Really get to know your recruiter and your company, you want someone that is reputable and you can connect with. The close they are to you, the more willing they are to help you.
Thankfully, I met a couple of traveling girls on orientation who I have bonded with and will forever have as friends. Niki is a PACU nurse who has been traveling almost two years and has a similar story to my experience. Erin is a postpartum nurse who is new to the game. I have learned so much about contracts, life and relationships from both of them.
The three of us took an overnight trip to Sedona and hiked the Red Rocks; we saw some of the most beautiful views and if you are coming to Arizona it is definitely something you should do.
Devil's Bridge
Cathedral Rock
Erin and I took off to Rocky Point, Mexico and had an adventure crossing the boarder for a weekend beach get away. Everyone had something to say about us going, some good and some bad, but my favorite was "you girls are going to have a blast, do you have pepper spray?". Being so close to Mexico, I had to go see what all the hype was about and I'm glad I did.
Crossing the boarder into Mexico
View from our balcony
Niki, Katherine and I also decided that we would go skydiving. We did end up going to the safest place in the world, Skydive Arizona in Eloy, but I do it first and then tell people about it after. This is another one of those things that you should make happen. I understand the initial reaction of "you jumped out of a plane?!" but it is probably one of the most amazing things I have done and I hope to do again some day.
We also spent a day tubing down Salt River. If you are coming to Scottsdale then this is a fun day adventure. It was a three to four hour trip down the river tied to friends enjoying the views and the sun. This isn't the view that I am use to growing up on the Ohio River, and it seemed much safer and a whole lot cleaner.
Needless to say, my time here in Arizona has been a blast. My record temperature has been 114 degrees. It feels like you are opening the oven door when you walk outside, but I will never again be able to say that I lived in Arizona for the summer. Despite the heat, I have still managed to enjoy the outdoors and have taken trips up Squaw Peak and Camelback mountain, just make sure you have plenty of water. I am learning to take something away from each and every one of these adventures and really enjoy my time at each destination!
For those of you that have been following the blog, please keep Jillian in your thoughts and prayers. One of her favorite things to do in our one bedroom apartment was listen to me read her my blog before the world saw it and this is the first without her approval.
If you are wondering where Im off to next, it's Honolulu Hawaii!! I can't wait to update y'all from paradise!!
Thanks for reading and love y'all!
xoxo
Hadley
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