I love so many Christmas songs, but one of my very favorites is "Sleigh Ride" by the Carpenters. I always thought...and still think that it would be so fun to go on a sleigh ride! Someday...on my bucket list. Okay...I will now take mercy on those who do not want to think about Christmas until next month. Back to Navy nursing...
I started my 12-hour shifts this week. The first day was insane since at one point, there was only one nurse, a corpsman, and myself manning a very busy unit! It was interesting to say the least, but my preceptor was excellent and I feel like I am very close to being totally independent on my unit! For the next few weeks, I take a break from unit orientation and will be taking an OB crash course...which I need to study for this weekend. I'm looking forward to it, since I really need a good review of OB nursing. I also got a chance to discuss the possibility of being deployed on a hospital ship during my time in Portsmouth and that is a very real possibility for me. The ship (the USS Comfort) will deploy again in 2015 as long as things go as planned. Who knows if it will actually happen, but if it goes...I will do everything in my power to be on it! The hospital ships go out and do humanitarian relief all over the world (stopping in multiple countries along their usual tours). That's one thing that made the Navy initially attractive to me. Who knows what the future holds!?
I also started the initial steps to get involved in volunteering for the Crisis Pregnancy Centers for this area. I can't wait to be involved...such an amazing and restorative ministry. The people I'll be working with have so much compassion and love for these women...and I look forward to joining them.
Last bit of news...I will be trying out for a masters swimming team this coming week...see if it's a good fit. If it is, then I intend to do swim team again! I miss it and am hoping that it works out! That's it for now...more updates coming next week!