On Wednesday I had an orientation shift on the PICU and it was...well...it definitely is probably the most backward and unorganized unit I've been in yet. The facility is pretty old and run down, the equipment is fairly old, it's predominantly paper charting except for online meds...oh and there's not always a designated charge nurse! That just blew my mind. Staffing is really tight there due to their recent expansion of their cardiac unit. I did really enjoy the personalities of the nurses that I met there, and especially the nurse I oriented with. I'm hoping she and I can manage to form a friendship in spite of working opposite shifts.
Thursday I oriented to the Cardiac unit which is 6 floors above the PICU and housed in the adult Cardiac ICU. Things are nicer and newer, and again the nurses were very nice. I was bounced around to several nurses that day and ended up with my own patient assignment midway through. I hope I get to float up there often so I can work with J&M.
The hospital is a flat, easy walk, about 10-15 minutes from my place. Dunkin' Donuts is conveniently located along the way and I'm making up for my 9 months withdrawal (No D&D in Cali). You have to arrive about 20 minutes early just for the elevator ride alone! There are 4 elevators for everyone and they are ancient and small. You'd be amazed at how many people can squeeze into one...and at how long you can wait for one. The cafeteria is pretty small and again, rundown. They do hour long lunch breaks but with the short staffing they really have not been able to. Unlike California, there is no "buffer" nurse to watch your patient while you're gone. I might have to forget to pack a few lunches so I can take advantage of the food carts parked outside.
Friday night I met up with my friend Chi for a shopping excursion. Chi and I go way back to college days and sadly, I haven't seen him since our graduation. He was excited to take me to Century 21 for some "cheap" shopping. It's like a TJ Maxx on steriods and with big name designers but also the cheaper stuff. I walked away empty handed, but it wasn't for lack of trying. Since I was meeting my cousin for dinner I had to take a rain check on us venturing into Brooklyn for some authentic Nigerian food. He said it's the best in the city, and he'd be a qualified judge since he's from Nigeria! I'm looking forward to trying it!
A short train & bus ride took me to Chelsea Piers where I met up with my cousin Rach, her husband John, and their friends. I actually just saw her 2 wks ago in WV and it was surreal that we were both here in the Big Apple together! We made our way to Hell's Kitchen and walked up and down Restaurant Row until settling on the Hourglass Tavern for a late dinner. The food was yummy, and the company equally as satisfying. I'm so glad we got to spend some time together.
Afterwards I walked home, about 1.5 miles. After a mostly rainy day the evening turned out to be pretty comfortable and it was an enjoyable walk. As much as I love SF, and the graphic detail of her up and down neighborhoods, I do prefer the flatness of Manhattan. I took my time strolling through Times Square and thought back to the last time I was there so late in the night, my high school Sr. trip! (shout out to my CCA '03 alums) My next thought was the realization that I will be HERE for NYE...possibly even downtown and not at the hospital! Crazy!
Saturday I was so lazy! I slept in and woke to the sunshine. I finally put clothes on then walked a mile to go grocery shopping at Trader Joes in the Gramercy neighborhood. It was amazing to find that their prices are just as affordable here as they normally are! I picked up a few fav's like their frozen mac'n cheese & pumpkin ice cream and for fun some tofu. After waiting in the most ridiculous line that wraps throughout the entire store (no joke!) I made my way to the bus. I was dropped off just a few blocks south of my place and walked by a street produce vendor and picked up a few more items from him. I will def have to learn to rely on him as his produce was even cheaper than Trader Joes!
The afternoon was spent on the couch, with my heating pad (sorry for the TMI) and a slew of great movies on Lifetime: P.S. I Love You, New in Town, and The Holiday. I finally motivated myself to make some dinner and conquered TOFU for the first time. I made a really yummy stir fry and will def do so again. I'm also excited to have enough for my lunch the next two days.
This next week I'm on day shift, will hopefully get to try Nigerian food, am hoping to walk the Highline, camping out at Rockafeller Plaza for the Today show Coldplay concert, and then I'll be heading to Lynchburg for the wkd!
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