Another New Start

  I've been back in California for 2 weeks now and I can already feel my energy shifting. There is something about this state that really draws me back to myself. Maybe it's being by the water, the beaches, nature, the sun, the critters…..I just feel more peaceful here. Hopeful...

excited for what's coming

I start at the new facility on Monday and have a whole week of facility/unit orientation. As much as online modules bore me, I am looking forward to easing into things. There have been ups and downs the past couple weeks, especially in getting here and getting settled, but every hiccup had a happy ending. I found a great rental that is close to work, that I'm settling Into nicely. Everything I need is super close by. Everything really is working out for me. I don't know how I'm still somehow surprised when things work out well, because they always do. It's easy to get caught up in the moment sometimes, of a stressful experience, to perpetuate the negative what if cycle, but the more times I do that, and then pivot, the more I see the value in deliberately choosing my thoughts, and finding positive things/thoughts to focus on. The more I practice mastering my energy, the better I get at it. The faster I notice when I'm getting off track, and the faster I can get back to center. I feel thankful, even for the chaos that this lifestyle provides.

I become more confident, more adaptable, more deliberate every time I step outside of my comfort zone. Would it be easier to stay at home and work full time, get a house and have stability? Some people might think so, but I would miss the adventure, the travel, meeting new people, learning new things. I get to experience things travel nursing that I just wouldn't get to experience if I chose to stay home. It's building greater resilience, greater awareness, and affords me time to truly sit with myself, evaluate my true desires, and work on myself. I get to do work that I love, in a beautiful place, and get paid well to do it. 

When I spent a month alone in Thailand this year, I felt truly alone, and I started questioning why I love travel so much, I wondered if I was just trying to escape reality all the time....... but I've come to realize, I am creating my reality through travel, not escaping it. I love travel because it's always a new experience, and it allows me to get to know myself on such a deeper level. I have learned how I react in stressful situations, in new environments, when plans change unexpectedly, when I'm faced with new challenges I have never faced before. Everytime I accept a new contract, or travel to an entirely different country, I am opening myself up to grow. Ya, there is the obvious stuff, like figuring out where to stay, learning a new unit, finding parking etc…..that's the surface stuff, but there is also; learning to read and connect with total strangers I never would have met otherwise, trying new resteraunts I never would have been exposed to, being totally alone with my thoughts and learning to choose them deliberately in a way that brings me happiness.

I can be anywhere in the world and find things to appreciate. I can do that because I've been exposed to situations and feelings in different places that felt so uncomfortable I couldn't stand it, so I had to learn the skill of mastering my own thoughts. Something about being comfortable, in familiar surroundings, following the same routine everyday, that just doesn't demand that kind of personal growth from me. I'm certain that there are ways to foster this kind of self development from the comfort of home, but I've always had a bit of a flair for the dramatic.

So I travel to other countries do it. I am happy here, and plan to make the most of the next 13 weeks. I'm looking forward to the new experiences I'll undoubtedly have here, at this new facility, and I appreciate that I chose this path. This will be my first travel contract working 8 hr shifts, 3-1130, which is my preferred shift at home, so I am interested to see how much I like it. I'll be working 40hrs a week instead of my typical 36, but certainly appreciate the day to day balance of 8 hr shifts vs 12's. I think zoey will appreciate the shorter shifts as well. 

Cheers to the next 13 

Xo

Alana

Contract #6

74  shifts down.....3 to go. 

I have been in LA now since Sept, with 3 weeks off in December. I timed my contracts in a way that would allow me to take Christmas off between the first and second contracts. I planned to go home, pickup shifts, and visit my fam for Christmas….but things don't always go according to plan. 

We had a death in the family shortly before Christmas so while I did get to visit my family, it was peppered with grief, and left me in no position to pick up shifts. Given the lifestyle that travel nursing demands, I'm just thankful I was able to be there with my family at that time. 

I always planned to extend my contract at CHLA if things went well. I like doing 2 contracts a year, during the cold months.... so doing them back to back gives me more time at home because it eliminates the extra 2 weeks at the beginning of the second contract when I would have to get compliance done. I extended for an additional 12 weeks at almost the same pay. The rate dropped a bit, but the stipends increased in Jan, so the difference in pay is minimal (thanks to the amazing team at Lead Health) and I was able to keep my housing, which you all know is my LEAST favorite part of starting a new assignment. 

It took me about 8 weeks, maybe 9…..to actually feel comfortable on the unit. Stark contrast to the 3 shifts it took in Marin on my last assignment. The difference between showing up over qualified vs borderline under qualified.

This is a 60 bed level 4 unit in a children's hospital, which means we get everything I learned about during my advanced neonatal certification almost a decade ago......... but never got to see IRL. We get preemies as well, but preemies with significant complications and absolutely no "feeder growers"...those kids go to the floors as soon as they are able.

Lots of genetic anomalies I have never heard of, GI stuff like omphaloceles, TEF, EA, CDH, pre/post op cases, serious cardiac conditions, trachs, gtubes, Carpe diem, ECMO ….(travelers do not get ecmo here but they do get acuity) the list goes on. I even floated to CTICU on my first dayshift!, where we were pushing adenosine 8 minutes into my shift. And last week I floated to PICU where I was utilising my shiny new PALS certificate in the first hour, having to bag my patient. It has been intense.

The learning curve was straight up hill, and I'm not gonna lie, I struggled. I have really been pushed out of my comfort zone here and I have learned SO much. But I also have had shifts where I felt totally incompetent and wanted to just give up. There is something very humbling about having to look up all your patients' conditions a decade into your career. I was able to switch to dayshift after about 7 weeks…..so just as I was getting comfortable with the flow on nights……but I will always choose dayshift if I can…my brain works WAY better. Switching to days meant learning day shift duties. Trach tie/dressing changes, G-tube changes, rounds with different providers, off unit stuff like MRIs etc....but no more sterile line changes!

Every time I start a new contract, I am faced with a set/certain level of overwhelm that comes with starting any new job, that I am certain is exacerbated by my self diagnosed ADHD ….. finding where to park, trying to remember door codes and locker combos, remembering people's names and their roles, learning new policies and procedures and adjusting to the flow of the unit. In the past, I have always been able to fall back on, “the babies are the same”.....these babies are not the same.

I chose to stay, embrace the experience, and expand my skillset. Now when I get a critical airway patient, or care for a patient with an omphalocele, encephalocele, multiple drips, dressing changes, traches etc... I actually feel comfortable. I grew in the discomfort, and even though I am exhausted, it has been worth it. I would even do it again.

On top of all the "new new", I also had to learn a whole new charting system. Cerner is not my favorite. 

The shock and awe on the nurses faces when I tell them we were still paper charting up until a couple years ago is priceless...... I only know EPIC….. I guess not anymore, but I do know with absolute certainty that I WAY prefer EPIC over Cerner.

I have done a little exploring, seen the main attractions, but mostly have been a couch potato on my days off. I was going to the gym on the regular for the first several months, but I haven't had the energy lately. The thought of fighting LA traffic for any reason usually keeps me pretty close to home, plus I am usually so completely drained after my 3 12s that walking around the block a few times with zoey is enough action for me on days off. It rained a little last month but the coldest days were mostly sunny, around 15-20 degrees (60's to 70s) so that has been amazing. Definitely warmer than Northern Cali at this time last year, and certainly warmer than Edmonton. 

After seeing how California nurses are treated….even better than Canada….with my ratios being 1:1 or 1:2 max, always having resource nurses (yes plural) available, not missing one break, and that OT after 8 hrs….it's going to be tough to push myself to go elsewhere….But I still have a few licenses that I haven't used, and a few places I would love to see. During the entire 25 weeks, I had 1 shift cancelled (that I still got paid for because my hours are guaranteed), and have only been floated twice......which in my opinion is really good!

My mom came for a visit this month which was SOOOO nice and needed. I am actually really going to miss it here. I love my little place, I love Burbank, and the weather is way closer to what I am looking for long term. Feeling the warm sun on my face in the middle of February is something I would never take for granted.

I have officially been a travel nurse for 2 years now and am on my 6th contract. I have paid off close to all of my >100k debt while still managing to take off an average of 3 months per year, so I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. I so appreciate the flexibility and freedom this work offers, on top of expanding my skills as an RN.

This time next week I will be back in Canada,...but as usual, I am already planning my next adventure 😊

California Dreamin'

 It has been a while! 

I am currently sitting in my cottage in West Marin County, in Northern California, half way through my second 13 week assignment at Marin General.... I  somewhat reluctantly accepted an extension offer here to return after the holidays, and so much has happened since I came to Cali that I have been neglecting this blog....the last 5 months have brought some challenges, along with massive growth, and a better understanding of my why. I feel like there is a lot to unpack so let's start with the basics...how did I even get here?? 

It had been a dream of mine to work as a travel nurse in California, and as with every area of my life, as soon as I get close to realising my vision, my vision and my goals expand. So I never feel like I have arrived...ever. Always reaching for more.... I have a strong desire to help my fellow Canadian nurses that find themselves on this same path, and so I am re-dedicating some energy to this platform. So let's dig in...

California Licence hacks 

Back in August as my Seattle contract was coming to a close, I had a few long talks with my recruiter at Lead Health about REALLY wanting to be in California. At this time, a handful of CA facilities were accepting the EMSA, or emergency licence, due to the ongoing crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic so I decided this would likely be my best option as I waited for my actual licence to come through. A process I was told could take up to 6 months. It really limited my options as far as facilities, but it would at least get me into California. The only catch was that it could be revoked any time during a 13 week contract leaving me jobless..... a risk I was willing to take..... My recruiter applied for the EMSA on my behalf and we had it within 24 hr. At the same time I also applied for my permanent CA licence. As an international candidate, I wanted to do everything I possibly could to ensure this process happened as quick as possible so I will share a couple of things I did to try to speed this up, maybe this will help your journey as well.

1-I attached a copy of my EMSA to my application

2- I contacted my school admin directly to ensure my education breakdown/transcripts were sent asap

3- I drove to Cali to get my fingerprints done in state..... I think this made the biggest difference!

4- I applied for my temp and perm licence

I never even got a temp licence!!! BUT from start to finish, my application only took 6 weeks to be completed!

While we were waiting, not knowing how long this might take, I applied to a couple of places accepting the emergency licence. I saw the posting for Greenbrae, and asked my recruiter about it. He said they were taking the EMSA, but there were already 11 applicants..... I was a little frustrated that I was the one who found the posting when he told me he was watching for any opportunities.....but I told him to submit me anyways, as this was really the only option close to the water, which for me, is one of my #1 priorities.

 I heard from the manager the next day and accepted the position for a 36hr night shift position that would be completed in time for Christmas...another big priority this past year, as it was my year with my son. My contract ended in Seattle on Aug 20 and I was on my way to California by Sept 8. To my surprise, my permanent licence came through before I even left Canada. The plan was always to get to San Diego, but as a travel nurse, I am at the mercy of the current market, and nothing was popping up that gave hell yes energy.

My agency is a smaller one, and even though they often have quite a few CA NICU positions available, they rarely have San Diego. I have seen and inquired about a couple SD postings with other agencies, but there seems to be a move to 48hr work weeks, which is ok IF you can get block scheduling and IF it's NOT night shift. The main ones are also known to float ALOT. This coupled with the stress of finding a new place to live, securing a job over the holidays, and moving to a new agency (this would be the worst part for me), it just wasn't worth it. 

 As travelers, it is our job to fill the gaps, which means we are often placed on some pretty gnarly schedules....I suck at nightshift because day sleeping is not my forte', so I honestly can't imagine a one on one off kind of thing on nights. I am doing this so I get to enjoy the places I go, not just sleep and work.... 

This is my 4th travel contract, my 3rd US one, so I am starting to see where I have some leverage when negotiating, and where I don't. I am also starting to develop my own list of must haves. I just declined another extension offer from the facility today, mostly because I need to go home for a bit, and partially because after accepting this extension offer, I learned that unless I REALLY love everything about the facility/job, I shouldn't extend.... I became a travel nurse for a reason, and staying put is bringing up all sorts of conflicts within me. There have been some significant challenges with the facility itself this round as well, including talk of a potential strike... they are losing staff/can't keep staff, and even though the unit is tiny (7 beds) there is most certainly a need for experienced help. 

Extensions

When I started this journey, I SWORE I would never extend anywhere....this is truly about the travel for me. Around the 8 week mark, I start to get antsy, I know the unit, the routines, the area....and am ready for the next adventure... so the idea of staying is not one I typically entertain, especially here. Northern California is WAY colder than I expected!! Not Alberta cold...but not the California I was expecting. I came back just in time to experience my first pineapple express, the atmospheric river, and flooding all over California. I was lucky enough to only lose power a few times, but it certainly hasn't been bikini weather here for the past 4 months. The beaches are OK, but not as nice as SoCal, and the unit.....well there is alot to say about that, but for now all I will say is this.... the second time my manager approached me asking me to extend, back in December, I told her I would consider it IF....

1- I could have 3 weeks off for Christmas

2- They increased my pay 

3- I could stay on dayshift (which I was able to switch to after 4 weeks)

4- I could do a shorter contract....8 weeks instead of 13.... (ended up extending to 13 weeks at the 3 week mark anyways)

Within a week the offer was on my recruiters desk..... 

I really had to balance the pros and cons. This is true for every single assignment, not just extensions, so it is important that you figure out what really matters to you, there is always a little give and take and every situation is unique.

I love my housing. It is my own space, reasonably priced, 20 min from work, and my landlord is great with my dog, even letting her out into the big yard when I am at work. Housing is always the hardest part about starting a new contract....at least this has been the case for me. 

The work is pretty easy. Lower acuity than I am used to which can be a bit under stimulating at times, but it's manageable. The challenges are not related to caring for tiny 23 weekers, but the challenges here have been just as difficult, if not harder, to navigate.

Coming back also meant I could leave all my stuff here, instead of packing and leaving all my stuff at the airport....or driving for 2+ days each way, in Canadian winter.

Not my ideal location or unit, but the pay is good, and all the compliance stuff was already done. I never float.....(until last week)... and since I didn't agree to floating/wasn't oriented to any other unit, it was my choice to stay when they just randomly assigned me to take 5 patients in postpartum (babies only). It was either that or have yet another shift cancelled....

Navigating The Suck

This is my first 13 week contract that I don't have family visits to look forward to, and I have been feeling extra lonely for some reason....I realised just recently that this is the first time since a brief few weeks in 2001 that I am truly alone. When I left home to pursue my acting career, I got a room mate pretty quickly, then I met my ex husband, then I became a mom...... so even though I often wasn't in a romantic relationship, I had my son for the next 15 years. A few years ago he moved to BC to spend some time with his Dad, and I was in a new relationship at the time. That became a situationship  more than anything once I decided to pursue my travel nurse dreams, and we have very little contact at this point. So everyone that I feel really good around is in another Country, my dog has been having some significant health issues, I have been having some health concerns of my own......and while I love a few of the travelers I have met here, we are filling gaps, so rarely have the same days off. Not to mention I already struggle making new friends being 40, somewhat guarded, not a fan of small talk, and prone to choosing netflix and sweats over bars and dance clubs. It takes alot for me to open up, even on a friendship level.....I love being on my own, doing my own thing, but it is hard sometimes. 

Needless to say I have been doing a lot of reflecting, a little bit of pouting, and pouring my energy into just being content with myself, finding new ways to grow as a person and as a nurse. Everyday I intentionally look for things to appreciate, little pockets of joy and gratitude, while I simultaneously work to balance the back and forth between my strong desire to grow and evolve, and finding peace with where I am at. I have been thinking about other ways I can contribute as a nurse away from bedside. I absolutely love my job, my patients, the work of nursing....but I just feel like I want to do more, and as bedside RN's we do the best we can within the context of the policies, and politics we are dealt. The healthcare system as a whole is broken.....I have been thinking a bit about becoming a nurse recruiter to better help Canadian nurses wanting to do this travel thing, and a bit about leaning into an educator role, even becoming a nurse writer/coach...or changing specialties entirely....I have learned that even though travel nursing provides me with astronomical freedom to travel more, working remotely somehow would take this freedom to the next level. 

At the beginning of February, I celebrated my first full year as a travel nurse (woop woop) and I have been going pretty much non stop since I started.... I have so much more to share with you about the nitty gritty details of travel nursing, including understanding contracts, the truth about travel pay, what to look for in a recruiter/agency, and once I get through tax season I will certainly have lessons and tips to share on that topic as well.

In just over 5 weeks I head back to Canada and since I have been travelling since my relationship ended last year, I have to decide where I am going to live, hopefully get some things out of storage, and decide what experience I want to create for myself next. I promise I won't leave you hanging for 6 months this time......

xoxo

Alana

The last 10

And all of a sudden.....I am down to 10 shifts left in Seattle WA

The time seemed to slow down a bit since I moved out of the ghetto and into the forest,  then all of a sudden, BAM, time to start looking for a new contract. I was offered an extension here....on more than one occasion....and I had to give it alot of thought actually, because the unit has been so great! The staff here have all been very welcoming, and even though we are working short alot of the time (nothing new), everyone really pulls together to help each other out. This is something I have appreciated so much, since so much of what I was doing daily was just a little bit foreign. I do feel a pang of guilt leaving, knowing how short staffed they are, but it was that pang, my loyalty, that kept me tied to my own unhappiness in my past....I have to be loyal to my dreams, my own goals..... and there are still so many places I want to see.....they will find other bodies....

First of all the stuff that was the same:

the babies- a healthy baby in Washington state looks the same as a healthy baby in Canada, and when things start to go south.... samesies. 

they did team rounds here as well with all the multidisciplinary geniuses, and just like back home.... we never really knew when they were gonna happen. 

Alot of the action happens at the bedside and the RN is usually in the lead, or assisting....imaging, teaching, rounds, blood work, line insertions, intubation, extubation....the fun stuff

The nurses take care of each other. I never felt uncomfortable asking questions, or answering them when I was no longer the newest traveller. 

There was always a charge nurse on each floor (NICU is 3 floors here), or at least one for each Level of care...usually a "TAP" nurse, and an admit nurse...sometimes we went without a TAP if we were short

There were ALOT of travel nurses, some that have been there extending for a LONG time, and they utilize peds flex nurses who float between all the small human units and help where needed. I loved our regular peds flex, she was SUPER knowledgeable and very friendly and also a traveller.

As for differences, there were a few minor practice differences

measuring girth and residuals on all babies

feeding protocols were different and took a little bit for me to wrap my brain around

they use WAY more different types of formula, have milk techs to mix up feeds, rarely had a baby fed via pump, and the feeding pumps drove me a little batty on occasion.....milks were never co checked by another RN, that's what the scanner was for, and milk came up as a PRN med on the MAR. Every baby on level 3 had thier own milk fridge, and on level 2, the fridge was only shared within each pod. 

We did a shift huddle every morning where the charge filled us in on the all the stats of the entire unit, changes on the way, and anything significant that was going down that day... expected deliveries, discharges etc

Lately, it hasn't been totally uncommon to have 4 babies on Level 2 - this sucks and is not ideal, but they do try to avoid it all costs...

We change TPN lines every day, only clear fluids go for 4 days. I never saw a sterile line change.....

They do way more PICCs than umbi lines, and for blood work and IV starts, the go to is not hand or head, and never via drip

We did our own gasses at the bedside using I-Stat

The shift starts at 7, you go to huddle at exactly 7 and start getting report around 705....some days I didn't leave until 740 depending on the babies. Back home, your relief wanted to be walking out the door by 715 at the latest. 

Obviously the pay was different. As a travel nurse, I took home over 3x the money as I was making at home, but before you get all excited.... no benefits, no PTO, first to float (only 2 times the entire contract) and I still have to pay bills back home... duplicating expenses.

Would I recommend this facility? A million times, yes. I am usually dead by the end of my shift, BUT the one time my assignment felt unsafe (immediate post op gastroschisis closure on several drips, also NAS, split into a different pod with another NAS plus one more IUGR on resp support) vs just heavy.... my charge jumped in right away and shifted stuff around. It is a busy level 4 unit, with 70 something beds and a huge variety of patients....They care about the patients here, and they take care of each other. Swedish First Hill set the bar pretty high as my first US assignment, and even though I will be moving on at the end of my contract, I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to be here. 

I have loved Washington State. Seattle is not my favorite, but I am learning that I am not much of a big city gal. First of all....way too people-y... but the surrounding areas here.... Snoqualamie, Woodinville, Leavenworth, even  where I am currently living... are all VERY beautiful. I have enjoyed several hikes, lots of waterfalls, fun on the lake, and  a whole lot of fresh air. The weather reminds me alot of Vancouver BC....lots of rain, lots of grey, but when that sun comes out.....damn girl! The last few days have been mid 30's (celcius) and pretty humid. 

Whats next.....

Well the thing with having options is....I get to decide. I turned down that full time position in Hawaii because I wanted to travel, so that is the plan. I currently have my NY, TX, MN, WA licences, and have been granted EMSA authority in CA. My permanent licence for Cali wont be in for a while, and I am guessing a least a couple months for my temp by the time they get all my documents, so there are only a few hospitals accepting nurses on the EMSA....emergency licence  (which has been extended indefinitely FYI...."for the duration of the emergency") but with "flu" season coming up, I am pretty sure more of the hospital systems will be accepting it. Cali or NY for the fall?......TBD

I absolutely love my recruiter at Lead Health and he is WORKING for me these days. We connect every couple days, and he's watching postings daily. He knows what my goals, and must haves are, is always totally transparent about jobs, pay, and facilities......and I am very hopeful that we will continue to work together for my next contract and beyond. Right now I am closely watching the California coast, preferably somewhere beachy in SoCal, but am open to whatever comes up. Believe it or not, even though I only have a few weeks left, it is still too early to be looking for Sept starts. Another week or so, and things will start to line up. 

I have one more little road trip planned while I am here, down the Oregon coast, barely into Cali to get my prints done for my licence....its way faster to get these done in state vs mailing in a hard card, so Crescent city it is in a week from now. Then, so far....the plan is to head back to Alberta for a week or two before making my way back across the border AGAIN to either the east or west coast.

They say you never know unless you try.... now I know... as crazy, unpredictable, and chaotic this lifestyle can be....it is 100 percent for me....I am challenged to be versatile, creative, and flexible on the daily....I get to meet new people, see new things, and be the captain of my own ship. I don't ever feel totally bored because even 9 weeks in, I am still learning daily. I have been reminded, away from the inevitible politics that come with being a full time staff nurse, that I absolutely love this career. Travel nursing has taken the focus off of the job, the tasks, the mundane..... and put it back on my love for my career, my patients....AND I am getting to travel!!! I havent dreaded going in to work once......So here's to a whole bunch of unknowns, staying open and positive, and embracing the adventure of whatever is coming next.

xoxo

Alana 

Foot Officially in Door!

I made it!

After driving for 17 hours, I finally made it to Washington state. 

For those of you that are also on this crazy journey, thinking about travel nursing to the states, I absolutely encourage you to keep pursuing it. It took me 11 months from the time I started my application with CGFNS, before I set foot in the US with a contract. For some of you it may be faster, and others, it may be a longer road, but from my perspective, it is SO worth it. 

I have been working at my NICU job in Seattle for 3 weeks (this coming Friday), but I got to Washington almost 3 weeks before my first day on the unit. 2 weeks before my actual start date..... WHY??

Well it's not as easy as just crossing the border and showing up for work. (ugh I WISH)

The TN Visa 

We need authorization to work here, which mean we need a TN VISA...It is really just a stamp in my passport that says I meet all of the requirements set forth by the trade NAFTA agreement. I didn't have to make an appointment with border security where I crossed, but I have heard some people have had to. I was warned this interview process could take several hours. When I got to the border, I basically told the agent that I was there to apply for my TN Visa.... yes, apply... which means there is potential to be rejected if you don't have all your documents in order. Luckily, I almost always over prepare, so I whipped out my trusty 12 dollar file folder from staples, with all my travel nursing stuff in it, and went inside. I had to provide.... 

- a copy of my contract from my agency 

- a specific TN letter from my agency on company letterhead that outlined my start and end dates, my hourly and blended rate (that's my hourly plus stipends), the hospital and unit that I would be working on and the hours per week I would be working, it also had to include all of my agencies info....address, contact info etc. 

- a copy of my RN degree

- my original WA RN licence

- my visa screen from CGFNS

- my passport of course 

- the details/ address of where I would be staying

- on top of this, I had to fill out a form that itemized the details of my actual job into percentages, like how much is direct patient care, education, etc. 

-I had to pay a fee of 45 ish USD

The agent made copies of all of my documents, clarified a few things, and stapled my I-9 to the inside of my passport, stamped me and sent me on my way. The whole thing took around an hour, but what a relief when that was finally done!!! I am the kind of person that gets nervous getting pulled over by a cop even if I haven't done anything wrong, lol so, I was happy to be on American soil and through with that process.....I am sure it will be easier next time.....because as soon as my contract ends, my TN expires and even if I extend with the same agency/facility, I will have to go through the whole application process again. 

I drove the last 3.5 hours to Renton to find my new home away from home. SUCH a beautiful drive. I will say, I love how pretty this state is. I was in awe the whole time.... the roads are so SMOOTH!! 

SOOOO green....even more trees than Vancouver, BC. I love it here. I get why it's called the evergreen state. 

I made it to my long stay hotel, checked into my room and was immediately overwhelmed. The elevators smell so bad, like musty old guy, my room was on the bottom floor, looking at the closed pool... and as easy as I was trying to be, I could not imagine spending 3 months in that room. I asked at the front for a different one... and eventually was accomodated to a top floor room in the building on the other side of the parking lot..... not much better.... but it was something.

 The clientele in this place are questionable at best, almost scary at worst. My first trip to walmart for dog food was eye opening..... pretty sure there was a drug deal going down in the parking lot, and I actually parked my car, got out, looked around, got right back in and found a different spot. My googly eyes for Washington were getting yanked open to the reality of the hood I was in....I was a bit disappointed honestly......

BUT 

I signed up for this... the adventure of it, the uncertainty, the new experiences... so I did what I always do... I looked for things to appreciate. I haven't been back to that Walmart since, and the sketchy guys in my building are more sketchy looking than actually any threat. It is what it is. I have my own space with all the things I need, my commute to work is painless, and there is a tonne of green space for my little travel buddy.

Getting my SSN 

The next huge step after getting a TN Visa, is applying for and actually receiving your Social security number. This was HUGE, because as Canadians, there are certain states we can't even apply to be licensed in without it, I absolutely needed it before I started work, and once I got it, it was mine for life....that little number opens a tonne of doors for me. 

I actually called the office closest to where I was staying before I even left Canada to ensure I wouldn't need an appointment. If you have been following along, you know that when I got my first contract in Minnesota, I had to make an appointment, and couldn't get in for 6 weeks due to COVID... which likely contributed to the later cancellation of that contract. No appointment needed!! Phew. The office opened at 9, I got there at 8 and there was already a lineup....only 3 other people, but by the time they opened, the line was winding around the building!!! Soooo go early!! I was in and out within 20 minutes once they finally opened. They actually have to say "no personal weapons, guns pepper spray, or knives."

.. the guy ahead of me had to go put something away in his car......

They asked for :

my birth certificate

my tn visa

my Canadian passport 

the address I was staying at 

and I had to sign a few forms that declared I wasn't applying for anyone else, that I had never applied before etc... 

I went on Monday, 13 days before my start date. Luckily my place allows mail delivery, so I was able to get the card sent there, and I had it within one week! so fast!! I actually cried when I opened it. Everything was FINALLY coming together.. I was, and am..... so unbelievably thankful that I am crazy enough to believe in myself, in my ability to create the life I want....and that I am actually living it. 

I had a trip to Portland planned with my son that I bought him for Christmas, so while I was waiting to start work, we had an amazing trip to Oregon. I have crossed the border 7 times this year and I am going again in a couple weeks. I can not imagine doing this one without a car.... Kelowna was ok... I made it work... but not here. I am ALWAYS on the go, exploring, chasing waterfalls, taking road trips... actually....

I am currently sitting in quaint lodge in Leavenworth... 3 hours from Renton.... so SUPER thankful I was able to get some wheels before starting this one. I also had to do the in person skills sessions for both NRP and BLS, and both of those were a bit of a drive away. 

The learning curve is 90 degrees...straight up

I went from paper charting to all online charting. 

Lab values are different here

what we chart is different

rounds are different

the culture is similar, but different

the hours are different

breaks are different

supplies are different

..... the babies are the same thank god... 

assessments are mostly the same with the addition of a few things. 

My brain was on fire from the very beginning with 19 hours of online modules/orientation. Thankfully we were just about to roll out the same charting system back home, so I had already completed 658 million modules for it.

But it is a whole different beast in practice... I am getting better every shift, but I still feel slow as molasses.... which is a hard pill to swallow for a gal that prides herself on her time management skills.....Ego has no place in travel nursing though, so check that at the door. 

Finding my flow 

I am starting to establish some small routines that help me feel a sense of normalcy while I'm here, like I found my "home gym" because training is something I can always count on to make me feel good, and it gives me a bit of structure, I have my favorite Fred Myers for groceries, I know where to get the good pink wine, the best thai  food, and I have even been able to connect with some really rad fellow travel nurses. I have a day locker at work that I like to use, and I am almost GPS free on my way to and from work.... which is a big deal for me lol, AND I found a lash tech I love, PHEW.

I am really making an effort to maximize my days off. As much as I love money, I am here for the travel aspect more than anything, so I make a real effort to do something new every chance I get....sometimes that means chasing waterfalls, and sometimes it means finding the best dog friendly pub. I almost picked up an extra shift last week, but got cancelled for my memorial day shift, so the extra just ended up being regular. The days are so long anyways.... I do love my old 8 hour day life, but I wouldn't want to have to go in 5 or 6 days a week in this beautiful state. It really does remind me of BC a bit... but on steroids.... like there is so much moss, and dense forsest......its refreshing.... and so beautiful....and  rainy.... Everyone keeps talking about how beautiful the summer is here, and the housing costs reflect that, but so far, the nicest days have been the ones that I am inside working. Rain or shine, I am loving playing outside here. 

As for the facilty, the agency... well that's for next time 

xoxox

Alana....like banana... not AlaYna.....we are working on this....

Almost a Wrap!

I can't even believe I only have 6 shifts left in Kelowna!!!! The time has gone pretty fast, for the most part. I think having company part way through really helped with that, but it still feels like it's been a super quick 8 weeks. 

I've REALLY enjoyed my time here. The unit was great, mostly familiar, so no huge learning curve, and the staff were always welcoming, and appreciative. It has been super therapeutic to be surrounded by nature as well. From facing a snowstorm and -15 on my first walk home, to basking in +12 by the beach today, I've also seen Kelowna go through some changes. Softening, getting warmer, livelier. And at the same time, I've felt those little adjustments in myself also. 

What was once a huge unknown, a blind step in the direction of my desires, has easily become a knowing.....an understanding....a soft acceptance if you will, that THIS IS the right path for me. I love so much about travel nursing, and I feel so blessed to have had such a perfect detour on my way to the states. 

It's not all been easy by any means. Getting around with no car sucks here, and trying to get a rental was often impossible. I've put in ALOT of steps, including walking to and from the grocery store every week. When my mom and son weren't here, it was really just me and my dog, so as much as I love being on my own, I did feel a pang of loneliness here and there, more so in the beginning. I've worked so many more night shifts than I would prefer, but that's where the need was, and as beautiful as it is here, I still find myself craving the next town. 

There have been a few developments on my USA stuff in the past several weeks, including FINALLY getting my NY license!! Washington came through as well, and a potential permanent position opened up in Hawaii which is pretty rare, so I have a few things on the go right now. 

I have plans to be in Portland with my son at the end of April, so have been trying to line something up for WA, since I'll be in the neighborhood, but up until the last couple days, I've still been way too early to start looking for that time frame. Which is kind of good, because jobs have just become super scarce. I've attempted to submit a couple of times through Trusted, but the jobs close before they even get around to submitting me. I did interview for a WA position but I believe my start date was too far out, so I'm still looking. In the mean time I'm also being submitted to the job in Hawaii, because as much as I want to be traveling, my end goal was always Hawaii, so if the opportunity presents itself, I have to at least get more information so I can weigh my options, right? 

Just yesterday I saw the first posting for an early may start in WA, so it's going to be time to start submitting soon!!. I think about the fact that I may be heading to the states to get started on my next contract in a month, and I think of ALL the stuff I have going on between now and then.........I get tired just thinking of it. The day after I get home, I have a couple of day shifts at the Alex, then my in person EPIC training, another shift, then off to Mexico to work on my tan for a week. By the time I'm back I'm hoping to have a position lined up, and potentially heading to WA, TX, or NY to get set up before my weekend in Portland with my kiddo at the end of April

It's alot. Lol. Right now I'm just relishing in the free time of this final stretch of 5 off before going into 3 nights 2 off 3 nights, fly home.... I had thought I had reserved a car for this week, but apparently I didn't complete the reservation, so I'm just taking it easy, close to home, reflecting on the past couple months, and enjoying the quiet while I have it. 

Things I wish I brought: 

🗨Cleaning supplies in small doses, dishwasher and laundry pods, some all purpose spray cleaner, a few magic erasers, extra kitchen garbage bags

Things I brought that I never used: 

🗨Leg warmers

🗨so many gym clothes

🗨hair curling wand 

🗨going out boots (chose my nikes every time) 

What I learned: 

🗨I value solitude and peace more than anything lately 

🗨Nature really is medicine 

🗨Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn't mean it's right 

🗨All units struggle, no matter how small 

🗨Nicu nurses really are the greatest humans 

🗨Kindness goes a long way 

🗨I still hate relying on public transit 

XOXO 

Alana

Catching up, Changing course, and Getting my travel feet wet.

So I guess it has been a while since I checked in here....well it sure feels like it has been just based on the amount of stuff that has happened....

Only days after my last post, there were some pretty big changes in my life. My relationship ended 😞, my car completely kicked the bucket💀, on top of my contract being cancelled.... it was alot. 

I spent the month of January feeling all the things, trying to come up with a new game plan for travel nursing since it became glaringly obvious that Minnesota was not going to work out, no matter which angle I came at it from....and just trying to find my footing again, all while living out of suitcases at my mom's....not ideal but life happens I guess, and she's a pretty rad roomate, not gonna lie. 

 My Arizona licence FINALLY came through, after waiting 13 weeks for my fingerprint checks to be processed and that turned out to be a GIANT waste of time and money.... I do not reccommend. My license was issued..... and expired the same day, because I live out of country... so I have a license number, but it is considered "inactive" until I can provide them a TN visa...so I can't get a job without an active license and I need a job in order to get a tn visa.... so... ugh, a big waste. 

........I needed a new plan....again. 

 I talked to New York again and at that point they were still processing applications from May....mine was sent in October.... so I knew that one was a ways off. I reached out to a senior recruiter at Cross Country at the advice of several Canadian travel nurses currently working in the States. She ended up submitting me for a job at Minnesota Childrens', that almost immediately was put "on hold".... this usually means they have over hired, or they have alot of applicants and don't want any more resume's. Since there are only a couple of different hospital groups in Minnesota, and we already discovered that all of Fairview Health was saying no to international nurses, it was our last shot. Crickets for almost 2 weeks before I decided I needed to take action. I gave up on Minnesota.

On Jan 13, I applied to both Texas and Washington. I know girls that were able to get into Texas, and I was also talking to a recruiter at Tailored Staffing, and he said Texas was super easy to get into, that they would hire me with a ssn pending and I could start while waiting for that. He also has experience placing Canadians and says almost all his Canadian nurses go through Texas first.

My recruiter at Cross Country told me not to bother with Texas.... just depends who you talk to I guess.

The application process for Texas was pretty straight forward and they utilize the nurse portal, identical to Arizona, which I quite like because you can actually see the documents you have uploaded, what is pending, and message them right on the portal. I had to write an exam for Texas on practice standards for the state, but it was open book and there was lots of time to do it. I didn't study at all, and only got one wrong. My Texas license came through quite quick! I applied Jan 13 and my temp license was issued Feb 4! So just over 3 weeks....even faster than Minnesota I think. So I have a temporary license, pending fingerprint checks, until June. For Texas, they want you to do your fingerprints at a livescan place, and you have to be in the USA to do that. Where ever I end up in April/May, I can stop in at one of the approved places, and have prints done for Texas, and my license will then be permanent. Easy Peasy. 

The application for Washington was a bit more complex. I applied on line. There are only options for applying by exam, applying by endorsement, or internationally educated.... I fit both of those last 2 categories, so I had to make a few phone calls. On top of that, I was told by my recruiter at cross country, that I shouldn't need the CES from CGFNS since I already had another US license....I heard mixed things about this online from other nurses applying to WA, so I had to be sure. When I called, the woman I spoke with looked into it, and said that if applying by endorsement as a Canadian, I had to fill out the internationally educated application, and where it asks if I am required to provide a CES, check no, because it only applies to internationally educated nurses outside Canada and the Phillipenes. Sweet....

So that's what I did... I then recieved an email from them stating that because I am internationally educated, I was required to provide a CES....ugh.......

So I emailed back and said that I was told that because I already have a US license, this was not required.... She told me that I needed to fill out an endorsement application and had me print and fill out that application, and email it back to her...which I did. I also had to provide my original license in the province I passed the NCLEX, a Nursys for MN, and any other current license....which I did.... then I waited. 

A couple of weeks later, I recieved an email stating that they needed me to send my license from my original province, as well as my NURSYS and I had 30 days to do so before my application would be discarded.....ugh... so I called again. I also replied to that email with screen shots of all the confirmation emails I had recieved that showed clearly what dates those documents were sent. When I called, I was told that it could be the case that they just hadn't processed it yet....Which didn't seem right considering it had been 3 weeks since my nursys was sent and that is emailed to them immediately... so I gave it a week and called back JUST to confirm they had indeed recieved everything. The staff I spoke to this day, was the nicest by far, and she looked into it, saw it there online, told me she was attaching it to my file, and sending a work order for it to be processed....and that she was also going to send an email to ensure it got done....a girl after my own heart lol.... no estimate on how long it might take though.... nothing yet.

I realized my life was feeling super unsettled, I had alot to process, and I really just needed a break. I reached out to select medical connections, a travel agency within Canada that I had talked to previously, to see if there were any NICU openings in BC...Travel Nursing in Canada is not like travel nursing in the USA, the pay in Alberta is pretty hard to beat... BUT like I said, I needed a change of scenery pretty bad.... She told me she did have an opening in Kelowna!! I told her I could commit to 8 weeks, and she submitted me....within a few hours, she called me back to tell me I was booked! 

Everything felt like it was happening pretty quick all of a sudden... my start date was 2 weeks out and I had to find accommodation, book a flight, and mentally prepare for this adventure. I am writing this today from my temporary home in Kelowna, staring at the mountains, right accross the street from the lake, having completed my first week as a travel nurse....and I feel AWESOME. I am doing 12's again but my schedule is super nice....at least for Febuary...I am walking distance to work...and to everything else I need, and I am getting lots of chill time with Zoey. So it's not the states....but it IS a travel assignment which is good for my resume, and it is BC which is good for my soul. 

I am on days off right now, it's my Sunday, and 2 days ago I decided it was time to check in with New York again....knowing what I would hear on the other end of the phone....."We are currently processing applications from July"....sigh.."ok, so maybe 3 more months?" ..."yes, potentially"..."ok, thanks so much, bye bye". I saw that coming. 

 Yesterday, I woke up to an email from Comparative Ed simply stating 

"your education has been approved"

...WHAT?!! seriously??? I literally just talked to you guys, but AMAZING!! I immediately called the nursing department to see what happens next and was told I am now eligible to sit for the nclex... umm excuse me?? 

no no no.... I already wrote the nclex... I paid cgfns 360 bucks US to send a cvs that should include all my education including the nclex confirmation... he said he was going to have to transfer me to processing to figure it out because according to the application he was looking at, it looked like I had to write the NCLEX.....uuugggghhh, ok FINE transfer me please and thank you 

 "there are 86 callers ahead of you".....this is the department you can only speak to on Tuesdays and Thursdays... I mean, maybe if they were open a couple more days a week perhaps they wouldn't have to deal with hundreds of phone calls. 

1 hr and 32 minutes I waited on hold until I was disconnected going down the elevator in my building!! you gotta be kidding me... I also recieved an email from this department at this point stating I could now register for the NCLEX... I replied, hoping it would get through, explaining my situation. 

"there are 68 callers ahead of you".....here we go again....except this time I was smart and I used the stairs....there were only 17 callers ahead of me when zoey decided it was time to go outside...I managed the stairs last time without dropping the call, and yet....for some reason, my stupid phone dropped the call again..... 

at this point, the office was only going to be open for 1 more hour, so my hopes of even getting through at all were pretty slim...I checked my email. 

They had replied "please send your full name and dob so we can look into your file" I sent it, and a detailed description of the process I had already gone through with my application, and I called back.

"there are 56 callers ahead of you".... no way they were going to answer more than 1 call per minute, but I waited anyways... what harm could it do.... and I was still going about my day anyways...when it hit 445 New York time, there were 30 callers ahead of me, and the recording just came on "our offices are now closed, please call back during normal business hours"... oh well, that's that. The hold music isn't even enjoyable so I regret that choice. I checked my email.

"Hello, I apologize for all the confusion and trouble. I looked up your file and found the NCLEX passing report from Canada sent with your CGFNS. I updated your file and sent it to be licensed. It should take around 1-2 weeks due to the high volume of applicants at this time. Take Care"

One to Two weeks??? Girl I have waited 6 months! 2 weeks is nothing! lol. Needless to say, I am very happy with this outcome. I don't have it in hand yet, but it's being processed and on the way. I am definatly planning/hoping to go to New York in the fall, and it looks like Texas or Washington for April/May.....home for summer...home hunting I suppose...

 It's all coming together, and now that I am here, getting actual travel experience in a somewhat familiar setting, I am thankful everything has worked out the way it has. It's always in retrospect isn't it? 1 week down 7 to go. 

Xo 

Alana