Hi,

Sorry to not have responded to your letter earlier. No real excuse, other than I have been busy doing other things other than being trapped by the internet. I have really enjoyed the change of environment. So many evergreens in my neighborhood that at times I feel as if I were visiting Lake Arrowhead. We had 1 1/2 days of snow. Beautiful at first and a big hassle later. Had to wake up extra early to get on the road to work and people were griping of being so tired. We had to spend 6 hours at the tire store getting snow tires. Nancy was ill and hated having to wait so long.

I hope all is well at SJH. People are loosing jobs and insurance, so they are more reluctant to go to the hospital for help. I have a feeling people will wait till things get really bad and our acuity levels will go through the roof!

The census at the hospital has been waning. I've been called off each pay period x1. Did get a pay raise, now I'm at 31.50/hour. I know that that sounds glorious, however the taxes are higher per paycheck to make up for a great pay rate.

I love the people I work with. They have begun to trust me more. So I feel more of a true member of the team. The chemo class I was to take this next month has been postponed to May/April so I am a little flustered that I will have a little while longer until I can do Chemo. I have a book to study and that is good. I just don't like being the one who discharges a lot and admits a lot. My fellow nurse, Hillary, who started when I did griped to me how much harder our work is compared to the chemo nurses.

I am thinking about home health or agency and will be looking at the jobs posted on Allnurses.com.

Regards, TED