New Perspective on Nursing...

I've completed week #2 of work! happy happy! This week seemed to pass by so much more quickly than week #1. I feel more adjusted to how things work on my ward, what expectations are, where things are located, etc. However, I am still adjusting to the MANY differences between life as an RN in the US vs life as an RN in AUS.

Here's a few reasons:
--We mix up our own medications! I was apparently spoiled by having the pharmacy mix everything for me in Socal. Little did I know that I would be mixing all my own antibiotics before giving them! It's really not that difficult of a task, just takes a little practice and getting used to.

--I do vital signs like they are going out of style!!! Except, they are called 'OBSERVATIONS.' I suppose that name kind of makes sense, but it feels strange coming out of my mouth every time I say it. Nurses are responsible for taking their patient's vital signs---again I was so spoiled by the nurse assistants at my last job!

--Doctors are pretty much always called by their first name. Seems so strange calling a doctor by their first name. Also, there are residents ALL OVER THE PLACE!

--For the most part they use all the same types of equipment as I used when working in the States, although I think about half or more of thing are called by different names. I won't bore you with all the examples---and honestly most of them aren't in my long term memory yet.

--Ok, there also is not a NURSING CARE PLAN or a full HEAD TO TOE ASSESSMENT flow sheet/papers/computer stuff of any kind that I have to fill out each shift.This seems to be one of the strangest things to me! (for any nursing friends of mine reading this, I am sure you are dumbfounded by this. for my non nursing friends, ahhh you probably don't know what the heck I am talking about!)

--I don't clock in an out. We are paid a salary! hahahaha! So, if my work is done 20 minutes early and the other nurses don't need anything and my patients are fine----I'm outta there for the day! kind of cool.

--We work 8 hour rotating shifts----days/evening/nights kind of bizarre, but so far it's a nice change of pace from my 12 hour work days! I only have to do 4 nights a month, so it's not terrible.

--There are certainly some differences in what nurses can and can't do. For instance, we aren't allowed to insert IV's----just when I was getting good at them too!! It took a long time to feel confident in my IV skills, and now I can't do it. However, we can remove chest tubes, without the doc there. Blows my mind.

--We don't wear scrubs. DEVO!! (short for devastating/devastated) Instead, navy blue pants and light blue polo shirts---everyday!! I could wear a skirt if I wanted, but that just seems like the wrong attire for a nurse.

--There's no such thing as code blue. (or any other code for that matter!) Like, orange, gray, silver, pink, purple, white, etc. You can call an arrest emergency (basically a code blue), but not sure what they do if there's any other type of emergency. I hope I don't have to find out!

--As a recap, everyone at work is super helpful and friendly. I seem to get asked the same 20 questions each shift, like why are you here? where are you from? blah, blah, blah. I got my answers down pat! However, I'm looking forward to growing in friendships with some of my new co-workers. Most of them don't know the Lord from what I've learned in conversations----so I hope and pray the Lord will use me to shine for him and share the message of salvation with them!

--And lastly, I love working with kids instead of adults!! They are so much cuter. Some of them are just so adorable.

oh, and did I mention this----I get 6 weeks of paid holiday a year! oh my word!!! seriously!?!?! Might be rough to move back to the USA someday!

"Real Life" and Weekends

We are in week two of "real life" here in Sydney. I'll spare you all the dull details. Here's a brief rundown:

Annie is working 7:30am-4pm, Mon-Fri. Last week was her first week on this schedule, and this week is her second. Next week things get more interesting as she mixes in some evening shifts (2pm-10:30pm). Work is good, although it almost seems too easy. We're counting on that being too good to be true.

I (Matt) am studying from the house we are sitting. My schedule is roughly similar to Annie's, except for the fact that I usually also studies from 9pm-midnight each night. I've had five work days here so far, and I've made it through about five books that I needed to read. I'm just getting my bearings again. Writing commences very shortly.

After a long week of "newness" we were pretty tired, and itching to do something fun. On Saturday we took the train from Epping to Central Sydney, and spent the day exploring part of the city. It was fun and educational, too. We visited Darling Harbour, China Town, Hyde Park, the Hyde Park Barracks Museum (where convicts were housed in the first half of the 19th century), the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the Opera House. After a long, feet-blistering day, we made our way back to Epping and had a nice dinner with our friend Tom. Here are some pictures of our day:

I suggest going to this place. It's cool.

One of many nice paintings of early 19th century Sydney.

I talked Annie into getting the roast duck. :)

I was pretty obsessed with this ship. Unfortunately, you have to pay admission to go on board. We'll do that some other time.

These guys wanted a picture with Annie. I decided to allow it.

I am sitting in my lunch break at work. Lots of orientation--manuals, policies, emergency procedures, etc. however, I have just been informed that we do not do IV insertions!! The residents do the IV starts. Man, I am in a state of shock! All for now.

Currently---I am eating breakfast---crumpets with black currant jam and french press coffee! A great way to start a Saturday. This post will be brief though, because in about 20 minutes Matt, Kola, and I are heading out for a bushwalk. I will be using plenty of OFF on my legs as the mozzies (mosquitoes) have been feasting on my blood recently.

 Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

 Emily.

 Coolest toilets---automatic closing door, flushing only when you wash your hands---a button to push to dispense toilet paper---music playing---and the door will automatically open after 10 minutes (whether you are finished or not!!)

 Greg and Jenny.

 Stir Crazy---amazing Thai food.

 We walked across the bridge, it was beautiful.

 Maybe someday we can live down there----

 The light display used on New Years Eve.

Here's some more photos of our adventure so far!

iPhone posting

So this is a test--- blogging from my iPhone. We only have Matt's laptop here, mine is on a boat somewhere in the Pacific ocean. So, I want to be able to blog from my phone if Matt is busy using his computer for research stuff.

Today: we both slept until about 7 am. Enjoyed some coffee and breakie. We both went on jogs--- I took kola with me. Not a horrendous idea, however he will not be joining me when I want to get a really good workout in. He is so much more interested in smelling things than running! Imagine that!

Anyway, tonight we are having dinner at the dining hall at Robert Menzies College and then having a look at our new apartment. Pretty excited!

Photos---for all those who have been waiting!

 Christmas Day 2011. 3 days away from the big move.

 Fiji. At a local beach a taxi driver took us to.

 Fiji water is still pretty pricey---even in Fiji. It does taste exceptionally good!

 The best fish I have ever had! Grilled reef fish---to die for!

 Our little private island. Paradise.

 The view from our little cabana.

 An exceptionally delicious lunch. Fish, chicken, sausage, salads, fruit. (and rolls!)

 Papa----Happy 50th Birthday. We really wish you would have been there celebrating with us.

 The boat.

 Finally, in Sydney---ready for a good night's sleep!

 First day of driving---we were terrified, but all was well.

 Bilgola---beautiful beach.

Hello Swantons!

Bilgola and Kola

G’day from Australia! It’s my (Annie’s) turn to take a spin at posting on our blog. I will admit---this is the FIRST blog post I have ever written in my life. I feel somewhat ashamed by this, but what the heck, got to start sometime! Matt is a much better writer than I am. So, please bear with me and hopefully I can share a few fun, interesting, humorous, and maybe not so humorous aspects of our new adventure of living Down Under. Side note----I will attempt to use some Australian spelling while writing---it’s good practice.

For starters: since we arrived on Sunday—January 1, 2012—we have been very busy.

--Learning to drive on the LEFT side of the road. Both of us were pretty nervous at first, and it took more concentration than I could have anticipated. I felt like I was 16 and learning how to drive anew all over again. Now, it is day 3 of driving and we are both feeling pretty well adjusted. Now, to just figure out how to get around Sydney without getting lost!

--We went to the beach. ---called Bilgola---there are so many funny Aboriginal names here! The waves were fabulous, the rock cliffs breathtaking, the sand very red in colour AND the sun doesn’t set at the beach! The sun rises on the beach. A strange concept for these 2 Socal peeps. We also enjoyed a meal of Fish-N-Chips. It’s a must if you ever come and visit us in Australia.

--We ate dinner last night at a tiny, itty-bitty Thai restaurant practically right under the Harbour Bridge. Greg, Jenny, and Emily Swanton took us. They are our dear friends who have been so gracious to us. They have given us so much help and hospitality! I don’t have room or time in this post to expound on all they have done----but they are a gift from God.  The night would have been a little more perfect if Tom and Jono Swanton had been able to join us. After eating we walked over the bridge---let me tell you……WINDY, BEAUTIFUL, EVERYONE NEEDSTO EXPERIENCE a night like we had last night! Photos to come.

--Yesterday we also set up a bank account and got our cell phones arranged (for the most part). Thankfully the bank errand went faster and more smoothly than we could have imagined. The cell phones were quite a bit more complicated---but in about 10 days Matt will have an iphone 4s in his hand (boy, oh boy, is he excited!) and my iphone 4 will be in proper working condition. J

Currently, we are settling into our new home for the next 4-5 weeks. We have a new dog, his name is Kola---he is a black lab. Adorable, well behaved and very BLACK! We are excited to have him be part of our little fam for the next several weeks.

As a last note---the Lord deserves all the credit and praises for our transition going so well thus far. He has proved time and time again to care for us, His little (sometimes lost) sheep. Everyday there seems to be some small hurdle (but it appears quite LARGE at the moment) and He continues to see us through it all. We both feel so incredibly blessed to be living in Australia for this time of our lives.

We will keep you posted on the big and small things in the days ahead! Please be praying for us, Matt is starting back up with his research work and I am starting my brand new job on January 9^th. Feeling a bit nervous, but the Lord is in control.