I have applied for a new job with my employer. This is an Assistant Nurse Manager position on the unit that I REALLY want to work on. My employer requires a BSN degree, or working on it, so I have also enrolled in college to complete my Bachelor's degree.
The BSN is something I have wanted to do for a while, but I have been putting it off. First I got married, then three kids have come along in rapid succession, so I have not had any problems saying "not now." However, the requirement to advance has made this a more pressing issue, so whether or not I get the job I have applied for, I will still complete my degree.
I do want this job, and I feel like I am being called to apply for it (or being led, if you prefer.) I think the fit would be awesome, but I still have to interview, and I know that at least two other nurses have applied for the position as well, one of whom currently works that unit. I am not sure WHO has applied though.
Just keep me in your prayers while I complete the admissions process for college and for my interviews that will be upcoming.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Toyota Sienna
Okay, like I said in my last post, my car had to have the transmission replaced AGAIN! Well, I took it in on Tuesday and they again provided a loaner, ie a rental from Enterprise. Last time, Enterprise gave me a little Kia Spectra, which was cool. This time, they only had one car left when I got there, and it was a 2006 Toyota Sienna. A minivan. I don't like minivans, I don't want one, I like SUVs. Or so I thought.
Let me say that this is one of the best automobiles I have EVER driven. We moved all the car seats over from the Suburban and did all of our errands in the Sienna yesterday. The cargo area holds an unbelievable amount. It is a very kid friendly auto as well. There are about a million cup holders, or maybe ten.
As a rental, this isn't the top of the line model, obviously, but it is pretty awesome. It is the middle model, not the base and not the "best." The side sliding doors and back aren't power, but that isn't a huge deal. I looked up this model on toyota.com and it is awesome all of the features and safety features. The mpg isn't bad either for a bigger auto, it is 20/27, which is SO much better than we get in the Suburban.
I think the Sienna will probably be our next auto purchase when the Sentra gets paid off, which I now have even greater incentive to pay off sooner.
A minivan, me? Who woulda thunk it?
Let me say that this is one of the best automobiles I have EVER driven. We moved all the car seats over from the Suburban and did all of our errands in the Sienna yesterday. The cargo area holds an unbelievable amount. It is a very kid friendly auto as well. There are about a million cup holders, or maybe ten.
As a rental, this isn't the top of the line model, obviously, but it is pretty awesome. It is the middle model, not the base and not the "best." The side sliding doors and back aren't power, but that isn't a huge deal. I looked up this model on toyota.com and it is awesome all of the features and safety features. The mpg isn't bad either for a bigger auto, it is 20/27, which is SO much better than we get in the Suburban.
I think the Sienna will probably be our next auto purchase when the Sentra gets paid off, which I now have even greater incentive to pay off sooner.
A minivan, me? Who woulda thunk it?
Friday, June 16, 2006
Car Craziness...
As anyone who frequents my blog knows, I just bought a car back in April (a 2004 Nissan Sentra.) I started having issues with the reverse on my stick shift immediately! Well, it is still under original warranty, thank goodness, and the dealership replaced the transmission.
I got my car back on Friday of last week. Driving to work I noticed that the transmission "whined" during acceleration when nearing highway speeds (70 mph) and I also noticed a rattling while idling. None of this had been present before the transmission was replaced. So we took the car to the dealership for an appointment at 1:00 on Tuesday. Thursday morning we FINALLY got word that the new transmission needs replacing. Some bearing (sp?) in the transmission was not lubricated properly during manufacture, so the transmission is not any good. I guess this cannot be fixed, so it has to be replaced, AGAIN.
So, I got my car back Thursday evening, as it is safe to drive. I am waiting for another call that my new transmission is ready to be put in my car. I will get ANOTHER loaner at that time.
I will keep you updated as things progress.
I got my car back on Friday of last week. Driving to work I noticed that the transmission "whined" during acceleration when nearing highway speeds (70 mph) and I also noticed a rattling while idling. None of this had been present before the transmission was replaced. So we took the car to the dealership for an appointment at 1:00 on Tuesday. Thursday morning we FINALLY got word that the new transmission needs replacing. Some bearing (sp?) in the transmission was not lubricated properly during manufacture, so the transmission is not any good. I guess this cannot be fixed, so it has to be replaced, AGAIN.
So, I got my car back Thursday evening, as it is safe to drive. I am waiting for another call that my new transmission is ready to be put in my car. I will get ANOTHER loaner at that time.
I will keep you updated as things progress.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Happy Birthday Sam!
Tomorrow is Sam's 4th birthday. We celebrated today because I work tomorrow night. We had a birthday party for him around lunch time and my friend brought her children over for cake and ice cream. It was nice and small, and he had a blast.
Tonight we had a young couple, who Thomas met while working at Chili's, over for dinner. They are expecting their first baby any time now. She is due at the beginning of July, but like most women this far along, she is ready anytime the baby makes her presence known. It was a nice day all around.
Having a lady around who is so close to having a baby brought back memories of Sam being born. We had a scare with him a couple of days before his c-section was scheduled. I had gone to Target to exchange a few things from the baby shower I had at work and I collapsed in the middle of the baby section. I did not come around until I was AT the hospital, I remember nothing of the EMS workers or of the ambulance ride. I woke up in the hospital with an IV in my hand. This was not an experience I ever want to repeat. Thankfully all my tests came back negative that were run after he was born.
He was born on the date I chose, in a nice safe environment, by a wonderful doctor. He was, and is, healthy and happy and beautiful. He is a great kid and I love him dearly. He will be starting pre-k in the fall, and can't wait. I can't believe my baby boy is going to start school. I am very blessed to have such a great son.
Happy Birthday my wonderful four year old boy.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Getting My New Car Fixed....
Well, as my regular readers know (both of you LOL,) I started having some major issues with the reverse in my new car. Well, for any new readers, my "new" car is a 2004 Nissan Sentra, so not exactly new, but definitely new for me. Thomas assured me that the issue was mine and I just needed to learn the "trick" to the reverse. I did, learn the trick that is, but it still seemed like more work than it should be, as it would always take a few tries and I could never get it in reverse immediately, which is a problem if you are looking for a parking space and pull up too far.
So, when my mom was here, we had to go up to the dealership for a few paperwork details that we had neglected, and Thomas did mention we had been having a problem. Of course, because I had been backing in and out of spaces a number of times in a short period, the reverse worked perfectly. But, Rick, the guy we talked to in repair believed us and asked us to leave the car overnight so he could test it cold. So we did, and he did, and he had issues. He said the issues were just enough to concern him, so he ordered a brand new transmission for the car and we are taking the car in tomorrow to get this new transmission put in. They are even giving us a loaner, which is necessary as I have a meeting at work tomorrow. I am not sure how long this endeavor should take, but at least I don't have to worry about a hefty bill. Since the car is still under original manufacturer warranty...and since I had a 30-day warranty from the dealership itself, this is a completely free of charge repair.
Well, I think that is all for today, I will let you know how it goes at the dealership and how the car drives after the new transmission is put in. Have a great night.
So, when my mom was here, we had to go up to the dealership for a few paperwork details that we had neglected, and Thomas did mention we had been having a problem. Of course, because I had been backing in and out of spaces a number of times in a short period, the reverse worked perfectly. But, Rick, the guy we talked to in repair believed us and asked us to leave the car overnight so he could test it cold. So we did, and he did, and he had issues. He said the issues were just enough to concern him, so he ordered a brand new transmission for the car and we are taking the car in tomorrow to get this new transmission put in. They are even giving us a loaner, which is necessary as I have a meeting at work tomorrow. I am not sure how long this endeavor should take, but at least I don't have to worry about a hefty bill. Since the car is still under original manufacturer warranty...and since I had a 30-day warranty from the dealership itself, this is a completely free of charge repair.
Well, I think that is all for today, I will let you know how it goes at the dealership and how the car drives after the new transmission is put in. Have a great night.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Busy, Busy, Busy...
I haven't blogged in a while, but we have been busy. My work schedule has been nothing short of crazy. I had to take my Pediatric Advanced Life Support class yesterday and Friday, so I had to rearrange my normal work schedule to accommodate this. My body is in total shock with the complete rearrangement of my normal sleep patterns. I haven't had a decent rest in days, but I will take some Benadryl tonight so I can sleep.
I am at a crossroads with my job right now and I am not sure what I want to do. I love my job in the float pool. I love the flexibility it allows and the versatility that is affords. I LOVE being able to work everywhere, to know people on all the floors, and to not have tunnel vision regarding nursing. However, things are very different right now, and I am not liking it at all. For me, a job my be challenging. Not crazy challenging, like working in the ER, but I like working everywhere and doing a little bit of everything. The way things are now does not allow for that very much.
Oh well, we are having a staff meeting on Tuesday, I plan to talk with my manager afterwards to share some of my frustrations. I have the greatest manager, she is awesome, which is why I have stuck things out thus far, but even the greatest manager isn't enough when I am feeling so stagnant. I either need some sort of change in the way things are in my current position, or I need to seek out another position. I was hoping my promotion would allow for a few more administrative responsibilities, but that hasn't happened...that coupled with the stagnation in my actual nursing responsibilities has made me very unhappy with work.
The other thoughts I have are related to WHERE I would work if I left the float pool. Which floor would I REALLY want to work on full time? There are a couple of place I love very much, and some I despise, and some in the middle. Obviously I wouldn't ever try to work on the floors I despise, and I wouldn't even want to work on those in the middle...but there are about three areas I love and one more I would like to work on that I can't go to in the float pool. However, I would be giving up a lot to go work on one unit and I that would be hard. I fervently hope I don't have to make any changes, but for my sanity's sake, I might.
Oh well, I am not going to stress (too much) over something that might never come to be, but I do want to have some plan laid out in my mind just in case. I will see how my talk goes on Tuesday before I borrow trouble. Just keep me in your prayers that I can appropriately discuss my concerns with my manager and that she is receptive to what I have to say. Pray that I am lead to the right path.
Have a good night.
I am at a crossroads with my job right now and I am not sure what I want to do. I love my job in the float pool. I love the flexibility it allows and the versatility that is affords. I LOVE being able to work everywhere, to know people on all the floors, and to not have tunnel vision regarding nursing. However, things are very different right now, and I am not liking it at all. For me, a job my be challenging. Not crazy challenging, like working in the ER, but I like working everywhere and doing a little bit of everything. The way things are now does not allow for that very much.
Oh well, we are having a staff meeting on Tuesday, I plan to talk with my manager afterwards to share some of my frustrations. I have the greatest manager, she is awesome, which is why I have stuck things out thus far, but even the greatest manager isn't enough when I am feeling so stagnant. I either need some sort of change in the way things are in my current position, or I need to seek out another position. I was hoping my promotion would allow for a few more administrative responsibilities, but that hasn't happened...that coupled with the stagnation in my actual nursing responsibilities has made me very unhappy with work.
The other thoughts I have are related to WHERE I would work if I left the float pool. Which floor would I REALLY want to work on full time? There are a couple of place I love very much, and some I despise, and some in the middle. Obviously I wouldn't ever try to work on the floors I despise, and I wouldn't even want to work on those in the middle...but there are about three areas I love and one more I would like to work on that I can't go to in the float pool. However, I would be giving up a lot to go work on one unit and I that would be hard. I fervently hope I don't have to make any changes, but for my sanity's sake, I might.
Oh well, I am not going to stress (too much) over something that might never come to be, but I do want to have some plan laid out in my mind just in case. I will see how my talk goes on Tuesday before I borrow trouble. Just keep me in your prayers that I can appropriately discuss my concerns with my manager and that she is receptive to what I have to say. Pray that I am lead to the right path.
Have a good night.