"seriously, so blessed!"

There is a hilarious blog that I occasionally read to brighten my mood... it's an exaggerated look at the life and times of a Utah housewife.  You really have no idea how RIGHT ON it is.  I die sometimes reading it... die laughing that is.  Here is a short clip:

I wish we could all be IRL besties you guys, bc seriously LOVE YOU, and if we were real life besties I would split a rio with a bunch of you and refill your diet any day, THEN hit the gateway for soooo many darling clothes that just SCREAM "us!!!" so loud we could NOT resIST and then whoopsies, overspend a smidge, end up hidding them from our hubbies until the credit card thingie comes, and then if JJWT or your hubby get's mad, we will cry and seriously bawl and then remind them of that one time they hurt our feelings real bad and then zinnnnng, the whole thing gets turned around on him and he'll end up apologizing his brains out and then I'll say, look, babenugget, I know you don't get it, I just need some girl time...

AND THEN WE JUST DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!

LOVE my life!

 hahahahahaha.  Makes me grateful to live in Utah, just because of the pure entertainment value.

But now on to MY updates... I must admit, I am SERIOUSLY so blessed.  Great family, great friends, great boyfriend, great dog, great home, great job.....  YES, it has finally happened -- I have secured my first job as a nurse!  Not at all what I had expected, but it is turning out to be an incredibly pleasant surprise.  A friend down in Provo gave my information to a new office looking for RNs, and while I was driving back up to Salt Lake from Los Angeles (for another job interview) I received a phone call from the director of the center asking if I would come in for an interview the following day.  A couple meetings later, and after a few trial days of working in the office,
I am now the Nurse Care Coordinator for the Spine Center of Excellence in Provo.  The office has not yet opened, so this time is strictly dedicated to designing and organizing the most efficient and effective way to run our center.  We will be working in conjunction with the Utah Neurological Clinic and the 3 neurosurgeons there, who are well-known in the medical community.  Currently, the clinic has a 6-month backlog of patients waiting to see the doctors for diagnosis and treatment recommendations for pain related to the spine.  Records show that 80% of Americans will suffer back pain at some point in their lives, creating a large market for neurosurgeons specializing in this field... but with only 3,000 total neurosurgeons in the country, most are overwhelmed and understaffed to handle the demand.  Many patients wait months to be seen, and during that time, they are not treating the problem which can lead to worsening conditions and more severe symptoms.  Spine pain is not to be taken lightly, as it can lead to complete disability without proper care.  Many problems, however, can be treated with alternative non-surgical specialists (physical therapists, physiatrists, neurologists, radiologists, or pain management) and prolonging the diagnosis only delays the start of the appropriate course of treatment.  My primary responsibility will be to direct the patient pre-screening process through an online system, and then act as the connection between the patient and the physician before a first appointment is needed.  It's much more of an administrative nursing position than direct patient-care (as seen in a hospital) but I see great potential in the SCE's ability to provide quality patient care in a different way, touching the lives of many people and (hopefully) improving their overall quality of life.  I know it's going to be a bit of an unknown at first, as I am the first (and only) nurse working on this project at the center, but I am confident that once I get started and see how the system functions I will be able to make appropriate changes for things to operate more smoothly.  I have yet to meet the surgeons, but I have been scheduled to shadow their clinic days on Monday and Tuesday, and hopefully I will have the opportunity to watch some surgeries in the OR on Wednesday.  I know that this exposure will help to give more background on the patients' needs so that I will be able to better serve them.  My past experience at UCLA in athletic training is definitely coming in handy, but I know that I have much to review to feel more comfortable discussing conditions and treatment recommendations with these patients.  I'm quite surprised at how much I'm enjoying this aspect of nursing... I'd never considered the business or administrative side, but my personal strengths are very compatible with the job I've been asked to do, and I'm excited to see where this will take me (and what I'll learn along the way)!  On top of it, I really enjoy the office environment and the people I work with, so I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.  I know there were many applicants for this position (they actually wanted to hire 2 nurses, but my boss has decided to wait and see if I am able to manage on my own for now) so I am extremely motivated to prove that I deserve this position and that I can handle the responsibility I have been entrusted with.  I'll be excited to share more as the weeks proceed, especially once we are up and running (hopefully) in a month.  The one downside is that I do have to commute about 30-45 minutes down to Provo (and it's PROVO... enemy territory...) but I can't complain about having weekends and holidays OFF!  How often does that happen in health care?!  And as a new graduate nurse... seriously. SO. blessed :)

I know the last post I made was while I was patiently waiting with Brenn for the arrival of her daughter, Blake, but my time in California was cut short when I heard back about a potential position at a hospital and I needed to return for an interview (which, as you may have figured, did not work out but of course everything happens for a reason...).  As of today, Brenn has not yet delivered her baby, putting her at almost 2 weeks of a very prolonged labor... my thoughts and prayers are with her during this difficult time of waiting.  Thankfully Blake is doing just fine -- I guess she is stubbornly refusing to take her place in the world... wish someone would tell her that her family is anxiously awaiting her arrival, and she will be one of the most loved little girls with two amazing parents completely prepared to care for her every need.  Her mom is aware that her "Auntie Lola" is ready to spoil her... I can't wait to meet the newest little Fergie :)

Hard to believe the holidays are right around the corner... but this is my absolute favorite time of year, especially because of the spirit that accompanies this special change in season.  I'm looking forward to having family in town next week for Thanksgiving, and for the early snowstorm we are expecting this weekend...!  I do love Utah snow, especially up in the mountains -- Snowbird opened today, and it's only a matter of time before Park City will be ready... Can't wait to strap on my board and cruise down through the fresh pow.  Oh how I missed being 20 minutes from the greatest snow on earth...!  And I'll definitely be making up for missing last year with my season pass this year... need I say more?  Okay, maybe :) seriously so BLESSED... blessed to live here in Salt Lake, and even more blessed that the Lord has provided me with an abundance of knowledge and opportunities to serve the people of this community.  Never saw this one coming, but that is the story of my life these days!  Guess I'll just continue to put my faith and trust in His plan for me, wherever that may lead me.........