Orientation completed!

For the past two days, I have been 'orienting' at St. Anthony Hospital, in Pendleton, OR.

St. Anthony Hospital has a ten bed, plus one trauma room ED.  There are three to four RNs, a CNA, one Physician, and a PA for part of the day, at any given time.  Plus the EKG/Respiratory, Lab, and Rad Techs that provide Ancillary support.

Pendleton is a relatively small town most of the year.  A month after I depart, will be the Pendleton Roundup and the town will more than triple in population as one of the largest rodeo events in the Pacific Northwest occurs!  I overheard a local talking about the Roundup, and how it defines the year... Pre- and Post-Roundup.  In a way, I would like to be able to stay and experience it.

So far, everyone at SAH has been great!  Welcoming, friendly, truly appreciative that I chose to come here.  A second Travel Nurse, actually from my same Agency, will be arriving next week.  Tomorrow is my first "on-my-own" shift.  Although, I will have plenty of resources available to me if I have questions or run into difficulties!

Unfortunately, I won't be able to post many pictures from inside the ED.  Perhaps I will get some of my new peers and friends to step outside so I could introduce you to them as well!

Through the "getting to know you phase," everyone knows I rode my Harley here.  I even met a person who came up to introduce themselves to me, who asked about my ride!  Obviously, the water-cooler is full and busy!  Many have already suggested some day trips and rides to take.  I will integrate them into some of the others I have already planned to take over the next three months.

In the next few weeks, I plan to explore Pendleton a lot more.  Then, start to branch out to the surrounding areas.  Of course... I have a weekend ride to Portland planned to visit a friend!

I'll let everyone know how my first "real day" went tomorrow.