Hospital

I got a request from my Uncle Mark to post some pictures of the hospital, I asked a CNA (certified nurses assistant) that I work with if she would mind taking some pictures while on her break, she agreed, so here ya go! Turns out, Saturday 4/24 was my last day orienting on day shift with Judy, my preceptor. Beginning this Thursday I will be precepting on night shift with another nurse for 2 weeks. After these next 2 weeks I will be on my own as a nurse! Scary but exciting at the same time! I will then be working as a per diem night nurse, this basically means that I don't have a set schedule and work whenever they don't have enough staffing. It just so happens that for the month of May I was able to still get full time hours, and should continue to get full time due to the fact that many nurses take vacation time during the summer months! This works out perfect because I need/want full time hours, but there are currently no full time positions available to apply for. However, it will be quite an adjustment learning to work from 7pm-730am. Caffeine may just become my best friend!

Here is a picture of the main entrance to the hospital, through the doors is a friendly volunteer staff that direct people to the department in which they wish to go.

Bench across the drive-up from the front doors.

Fireplace in the main entrance, very cozy!

Lobby for the Med/Surg and ICU units.

Children's area in the lobby of Med/Surg and ICU. The fish tank is set up like the movie Finding Nemo, all the same fish and many of the same structures and plants! There is also a video gaming station!

Lobby to Med/Surg and ICU on right. Entrance to Med/Surg (through doors and to the left), and ICU (through doors and straight ahead).

Hallway to Med/Surg nurses station, here there are 4 patient rooms including 1 of 2 isolation rooms and 1 seclusion room, administrator's office, break room/lockers, and 1 of 2 medication rooms.

Nurses station and Doctors dictation room.

1 of 38 patient rooms on Med/Surg. Each room has it's own bathroom and fold out cot for family. Throughout the hospital and in each patient room is beautiful local framed photographs.

This is a really cool fountain that spans 3 levels and the main staircase. It makes a very soothing fountain sound.

This is the main chapel. The stained glass was donated by a local artist, and is actually 3d, it is very pretty! Every wednesday at 3pm, there is a meditation/guided imagery time that takes place in here, anyone is welcome and it is very relaxing!

Cafeteria.

There food is actually very good, and not too expensive.

A few of the girls I have been working with on days. Starting from left is Jenipher (CNA currently in nursing school), Liz (unit secretary), Judy (RN, my preceptor), and Leah (CNA who took these photos for me.

Judy and I. She was a wonderful teacher, and a great resource!

Adam's Journey

So I decided to post a few pics that Adam took on his journey from Vancouver to Kenai. Adam, Brian and Butch have been here now for 2 weeks, and have caught up on the much needed sleep from the drive. Brian (Adam's brother) has started a job this week as a front end manager at Wal-mart, and Adam is continuing to work full time on the cabin we will be living in. I will be finishing my preceptorship at the hospital in 3 weeks, and then I am on my own as a nurse! I will be working mostly nights, which will be hard to get used too, but worth the extra money! Butch is enjoying daily walks on the property, going to the beach, and loves to find sticks for us to throw for him.

I am not sure where the pictures were taken, but they saw some beautiful scenery! While in the Yukon Territory they saw the northern lights multiple times. Adam said there were green lights dancing all around sky, but his camera wasn't able to take a good picture.

He said they saw a lot of buffalo driving through British Columbia.

Time to stretch!

Butch

Glacier field a few hours before Anchorage

As you can see Butch really does love going for walks!

They've Arrived!!

Adam, Brian (Adam's brother) and Butch (our dog) finally arrived in Kenai last night around 930. As many know, Adam flew back down to Vancouver to drive up our two vehicles with Brian, and get Butch who had been staying with my uncle in Vancouver (thank you!). Adam spent 4 days visiting family and friends in Vancouver and then hit the road last Saturday for the long haul to Kenai. They ran into car trouble in Bellingham Wa saturday evening, our wheel bearing had gone out and could not be repaired until Monday morning. The boys stayed in a ghetto hotel in Bellingham Saturday and Sunday night, while Butch bunked in the trunk. The boys took turns sleeping as they were afraid someone would steal our stuff out of the bed of our truck. Come Monday morning the car is repaired and they head off on the road again!

After 2.5 days of driving and a total of 6 hours of sleep they arrived safe and sound. Let's just say, (despite the beautiful drive) they are not planning on taking another road trip any time soon!

Today we went for a nice walk on the property.

Butch is very photogenic! We are so happy to have him here with us!

Reuniting!

Below is a video of our reuniting, as you can see Butch was very happy to see me!