I can't wait to come home!

I will be home in a little more than 36 hours!  I cannot wait!

I have the "Nursing Breakout Session" tomorrow, where I will learn about some of the equipment at the hospital.  It's kind of funny since I've been working in the ICU for 2 weeks and have experienced nearly all of the general equipment in the hospital.  Oh well!  I'll go with the flow.  The good thing is that it's most of the morning, so I will feel like the rest of the afternoon is going to fly by once I get back on the unit.  After work, there is a "Hail and Farewell" at a local amusement park.  I'm still debating whether or not I'll go, especially since I'm being "hailed."  I have to be up at 0400 on Friday to make my 0600 flight.  I'll let you know what I decide.

Today had an interesting beginning.  The NCOIC (Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge) caught me in the locker room.  She said, "Ma'am, I heard that your preceptor is making you do all of the hard work and she's not doing anything."  Wow!  That came out of left field.  I let her know that I appreciate the way my preceptor is working with me because she isn't holding my hand.  I ask questions when I have them.  Otherwise, she's letting me be a nurse and helping me learn the specifics of this ICU.  What I found even more ironic was that my preceptor today, the Captain who is my sponsor and I really like her, was so busy taking care of her upcoming deployment (going to Afghanistan on august 1st!) that I, maybe, had 1-2 hours with her today.  The great thing is that I finally have a code for documenting in the system, so I didn't need to look for someone to save my assessments, my medications, my vital signs, etc. You have no idea how much time that saved me today!

Last evening was great, too.  I had a nice conversation with my friend Karen and I got a chance to Skype with my friend Peggy!  That was great!  I love having contact with my friends back home.

Continuing with the positives, I received an e-mail from my Troop Commander with my Accession Bonus paperwork attached.  My recruiter finally got her act together and sent those documents.  I still cannot believe it took such a long time.  I had to bite my tongue when she called me on Monday and told me to feel free to call her if I need anything in the future.  Really?!?!?!?  I guess it's safe to say that she doesn't realize the amount of angst she has caused me. 

It was relatively cool today.  I think the high was only 99 degrees.  It was 107 yesterday and 112 on Monday.  I swear, I'm going to freeze when I get off of the plane on Friday.  What's up with the crummy weather in Wisconsin?  UGH!

I hope you are all doing well.

--DV