Just call me Kit Carson!!

     Work was always interesting and I learned new cases and grew in confidence with others. Splinted SOMETHING about everyday! It took them awhile to figure out that I didn't need babysitting. Finally just asked the charge nurse one day, when I was gonna be cut loose - my patience was running thin!
     Found a shooting range! 1st day the manager really took an interest in teaching me how to properly and safely use the thing (bought small handgun before leaving to travel). I REALLY NEEDED that. Just that 1st day made a HUGE difference in how I felt about just holding the gun. No shooting on the first day though - TRUST me - I was NOT ready for that!
     Besides the shooting range I found other things to do to keep me active. One word - ZUMBA!! Great workout! Took a vegetarian cooking class as well. 
     A co worker told me that a movie was being filmed in the city. It took a couple of attempts (with main highways being blocked off for production) to actually find one of the sites but I accidentally stumbled upon it when I got lost.
Gerard Butler is starring in it - don't know when it is due out but I did get a bit of a pic. This scene is where they built a replica of  'The White House' that got blown up later as part of the story.

The Times of the ArkLaTex

     While in the ArkLaTex I was going to be working in a new environment of sorts - a privately owned specialty surgery center. This basically meant that the rules are a little different but certainly doable. Had the opportunity to learn a new computerized charting system along with new equipment which is always a good for the next contract. You never know what you might get! Work was always interesting and I learned new cases and grew in confidence with others. I finally had to say that I didn't need babysitting after a few days so that I could work on my own.
     As I tooled around town it was comforting to know that the Walmart was just down the road :)
In my travels I found a DSW-LOVED IT!, and a Coach outlet (and yes, I got my 1st)! However I never found the Aldi's and there was no Zaxby's (sure missed by blackened salad!)
Found a fabulous local artist museum with glassware and other local artist crafts for sale. Visited some local parks and discovered a great knitting shop and a shop known as 'Painting With a Twist'.

My work of art from Painting With A Twist!

The ArkLaTex

     So I decided to go to the 'ArkLaTex' for my 1st REAL travel assignment. Once I told family, friends and acquaintances the immediate concern was "don't they have hurricanes there?" I could proudly answer NO because I had done my homework . I would be more inland than anything - much like home. Next was "the heat", again, I had done my homework, so no worse or less than home.
     My greatest issue was 'the drive'; around 13 hours and then some considering I had to stop in the capital in order to complete my application for licensing in the state. Those fears were relieved because my wonderful and excellent boyfriend announced that he would be driving me there. He packed my truck, drove me almost the entire way (minus about 3 hours) and unpacked my truck after the two day trip! Isn't he a sweetie!! That trip was either gonna make or break us because as it turns out I believe I was SUPER stressed, though I didn't feel that way. Hindsight allows me to say that because I developed a horrid mouth sore that started forming the day before I left (though I didn't know what it was at the time). I could not eat for those two days because of the pain, despite mouth washes, peroxide, ICEE's, popsicles and Ibuprofen. Miraculously it disappeared the day AFTER I arrived into town with no issues since.
     I was looking forward to my first church experience as I had already scoped out a couple of churches on the internet before arriving. One church was warm and welcoming but they had no music :) I just couldn't hang. The next spot proved to be a better fit for my spiritual word and spiritual music needs!
     My apartment was AWESOME! And though it was only 1 bedroom I really enjoyed the space of my home away from home. The furniture was comfy and it came with some interesting neighbors!

Yes, those are my neighbors. Cows and Horses in my backyard. And NO, they did NOT smell!!!

Where to begin?

     Well where to begin? I probably should have started this blog a few months ago but I will begin by saying that this blog will be about my adventures while being a travel nurse in the OR; (which actually began a few months ago) the highs and lows and just my general thoughts and experiences. So I guess I will just start from the beginning and then bring you up to date!
     My first traveling assignment was at a small hospital about forty miles from my home. I purposely did this as a test drive into travel nursing. Ended up doing two contracts there before truly hitting the road. 
     Highlights of that contract? In general, exposure to and learning new systems, circulating new case types, developing a new friendship with a guy friend (without benefits of course), learning a new computerized hospital system and the number one highlight- learning to KNIT from many of the wonderful OR staff members!!
     Next stop?!...