[Nursjuli]

Hello, my name is Julie and I just started working at a very small rural hospital. This hospital has 12 beds on the floor and 3 ER rooms. We also have 3 OB rooms. I am coming from working on a neuro vascular floor at a large hospital in Portland Oregon, where we had 5 - 7 nurses on at a time on the floor I was on alone. Now there are two of us! To take care of the patients on the floor, manage OB and ER! It is soooooo different, I have to start my own IV's, do my own neb treatments, there is no one to consult on anything, no transportation for the patients, no 24 hour pharmacist in this hospital, only a 3 day a week pharmacist, and we get our own meds the rest of the time, how weird! But you know what? I love it! I have never enjoyed a job so much or sooooo looked forward to going to work as I do now! I love taking care of people I know I will see out in the small community we are movingt to, I love that everyone knows every one else, or at least their cousin or brother. I am learning so much though. I am a relatively new nurse and have never done ER or OB before. I am very thankful for this forum where I can share and learn from others out there in the same boat!

Sincerely,
Julie

[mattsmom81]

If you have a good doctor on the premesis in ER that in itself is a huge bonus, and is a big determiner of whether I will take agency assignments at rural facilities. Glad you like your new job and hope it continues to work well for you!

[Spidey's mom]

Are you sure you aren't working where I work? It is almost a carbon copy.

steph

[CeCiRN]

Originally Posted by stevielynn

Are you sure you aren't working where I work? It is almost a carbon copy.

steph

Where in Northern California Stevie? I lived in Loyalton in Sierra County
for 16 yrs and worked at Sierra Valley Hospital from 1987 1989 as a unit clerk/activities aide.

[barefootlady]

It is so nice to hear from someone who loves their job. I am so envious of you. I would do O.K. except for the OB part, I just never was cut out for OB. Keep us posted on what's happening.

[stevierae]

Originally Posted by Nursjuli

Hello, my name is Julie and I just started working at a very small rural hospital. This hospital has 12 beds on the floor and 3 ER rooms. We also have 3 OB rooms. I am coming from working on a neuro vascular floor at a large hospital in Portland Oregon, where we had 5 - 7 nurses on at a time on the floor I was on alone. Now there are two of us! To take care of the patients on the floor, manage OB and ER! It is soooooo different, I have to start my own IV's, do my own neb treatments, there is no one to consult on anything, no transportation for the patients, no 24 hour pharmacist in this hospital, only a 3 day a week pharmacist, and we get our own meds the rest of the time, how weird! But you know what? I love it! I have never enjoyed a job so much or sooooo looked forward to going to work as I do now! I love taking care of people I know I will see out in the small community we are movingt to, I love that everyone knows every one else, or at least their cousin or brother. I am learning so much though. I am a relatively new nurse and have never done ER or OB before. I am very thankful for this forum where I can share and learn from others out there in the same boat!

Sincerely,
Julie

Julie, I live near Portland, too. Goldendale is beautiful--God's country.

Is your hospital considered a Class 4 trauma center?

I did a travel assignment in Eastern Oregon like you describe. I, too, loved it. Everybody knew EVERYBODY--many were somehow related. The hospital was state of the art--some of the best operating room equipment I have ever seen ANYWHERE, and the birthing center was awesome--homemade quilts on the post-partum beds (and for the babies, to take home) made by women in the community and donated. Same with hand crocheted pink or blue caps and booties for the babies. It was like birth was a celebration that the entire town took part in and were joyful about.

I taught at a hospital like that in rural Montana, too.

I hope to take a travel assignment to the great Smokeys of Tennessee and have the privilege of taking care of, and getting to know and hear the stories of the hard working people of Appalachia, and somehow make a difference to the community.

[efiebke]

I love working in a small community hospital too. And much of what you describe is found where I work!

It does get scary, sometimes. But we all do work well together. The night shift, especially, is very tight!

But I love working at a small rural hospital.

Ted

[Spidey's mom]

Originally Posted by CeCiRN

Where in Northern California Stevie? I lived in Loyalton in Sierra County
for 16 yrs and worked at Sierra Valley Hospital from 1987 1989 as a unit clerk/activities aide.

Way farther north than Loyalton.

steph

[Traveler]

That's great that you love your job. In rural nursing you get to really know the patients and are able to wear many hats. I work in home health in a very rural area and I enjoy it. The only downside to working in such a rural area is that you are always "on". Everyone knows who you are and what you do. Patient confidentiality can be a sticky situation at times. Everyone knows my vehicle and I am often asked: "I saw you at Mrs. X's house, how is she doing?" I usually say something like: "I'm sure she would appreciate a call from you so you can check up on her yourself." There is no anonimity. The good thing is that I can write a check within 50 miles from my home without being asked for ID. You sort of become what you do in other people's eyes. Everyone knows everything (or so they think) about you. Again, sometimes a blessing and sometimes not- just depends.

[obliviousRN]

I must be working at your hospital's twin sister. You just described my little hospital here in Eastern Oregon to a T and.......................... I came from working at Emanuel hospital in Portland before I moved here. I understand the shock you're going through! I LOVE it here nad would never return to a big facility. Nurses in our rural burg have so much more of an input into things - and a lot more autonomy too. It's awesome.

Stevierae - where in Eastern ORegon were you?