In May, I quit my job at Ocean Springs Hospital to become a travel nurse. I worked at OSH for almost 3 years and made quite a few good friends there. Although things were not always peachy, it was overall a good place to work. I formed some strong relationships w/people that I will never forget. I also learned so much about being a nurse, about working in the operating room, and just about life in general. As I have said in previous posts, its so fun getting out into the real world, but it's part of growing up and I am learning to just embrace it (slowly but surely). I just really felt like it was time for me to explore the world a little while I still had the opportunity. So, May 29th I moved to Los Angeles, CA for my first travel assignment. I work at H. Claude Hudson Comprehensive Health Center in the oupatient surgery department. Most people have never heard of Hudson, even the people that have lived in L.A. forever. It is a county comprensive health clinic that provides no-cost health services to individuals without insurance. To say the least, this was a HUGE change from the private hospital in Ocean Springs...Sadly, I definitely can say that I prejudged this place. After you get past the street vendors and the homeless woman who pulled her pants down and defecated in the street, going through the metal detectors and security guards and the 200 Spanish-speaking patients in the waiting room, there is the tiny surgery department. These people I work with now have to be the nicest people in the world. They took me in with open arms to show me the ropes of the clinic. The still can't get over the fact that I am from Mississippi (like it's a foreign country). Oh, and they LOVE the southern accent! My contract here is from May 31-August 25, even though they ask me to stay longer every single day. If Claude Hudson was a little closer to home, rather than a 3 day drive or a $450 plane ticket, I would absolutely extend my contract here and stay longer. I have already learned a lot of new things and I am getting to experience some different kinds of surgeries that we did not do at OSH..I miss the coast though (the island, my parents, my precious Rebel, and my lovely friends). So, next assignment will be a little closer to home, at least driving distance. I am thinking Florida, but we will see. I am looking forward to the road-trip home w/my friend Angie!
Here are some pictures of my last day at OSH and my going-away party:
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| my goodbye cake! |
