Word.

A couple we would talk about

Fungal esophagitis (candida glabrata with reduced susceptibility to fluconazole) in an elderly female neg for HIV or other reasons to be immuno compromised.

A patient with factitious disorder (600 diagnosis in problem list with doctor shopping) who actually had acute mesenteric panniculitis on admission.

A patient s/p ex lap with extensive adhesions and viscous perf done for recurrent SBOs requiring periop blood transfusions and plts. Has electrolyte abnormalities post-OP due to a string of things.

So all in all. I cleaned my list today and there were no new admissions all day.

Starting to think it says something about me. But I'm having fun with one of them and truthfully with my current work schedule/upcoming trips, I dont have time to find someone seriously anyways. High standards and all that. Plus settling into this city. I really like Madison so far.

Also,

Still love my job 2 weeks in.

Second day on the floor. Apparently my SP already trusts my clinical knowledge because hes just letting me lead... and we have 11 patients with 1 admit. One of those patients refuse anymore treatments and want comfort care only and another who has a HCPOA who refuses to stay.

I have no idea what orders are put in (since we are both doing it as it comes). Just walking around with my head cut off. Putting in orders like I know what I'm doing (nope).

Agreed to work an actual full shift tomorrow and Saturday. Then my week off. Going to spend that week living off of Uptodate 💀💀💀💀💀

Also did AIDET training which is awesome and I feel every hospital should teach this. I'm so surprised I never heard about it before. It actually approaches similarly to how I try to practice and I'm glad that means I'm on the same page as everyone I work with.

With that, everyone in the hospital is so nice. Everyone is like "any questions, seriously call me". Even the CRNA was like "we are just across the double doors, come visit! No reason to be scared. And if you ever have, for example, a chronic pain patient and unsure how to manage, just consult us. We are more than happy to see them. "

My brain is exploding. This is one of the reasons I wanted to work in a rural hospital. The hospital dynamic and environment is so non-toxic. Everyone was gushing about the two hospitalists and the PA on the team and I'm pretty pumped to start working with one of the doctors tomorrow! Its so completely different from the large hospital center I, um, mainly did my rotations at. Where its specialty heavy yet they would be so angry to be given a consult. How dare we bug them with a patient.

Im so glad my program required two rural rotations because that really helped me decide I just.. couldnt be a replaceable unknown body to see patients. Obviously exaggerating. But like I'll know all the providers, its not a constant rotating door of whose on-call or in-house? Who even is this?

It's still early of course, but I love how much support that's expressed, especially as a new grad.

‐-------------------

I.. I had a bunch of Tinder dates one week with a bunch of guys. And one of them, we went into an agreement of just casual at the end of the first and ultimately we digged each other enough to be actual friends. Welp. A little over a week later - we've seen each other a shit ton and realized we are really open to the possibility of something more. I'm not interested in going on anymore dates with other people. We've been really open in communication and how we feel. I think hes more attractive each time I see him. Im starting to have feelings. Wasnt expecting this at all.

So.

Only takes like 3 months after accepting a PA job to start working 💀.

3 weeks of balancing my dwindling money reserves and creating a social life for my mental health.

Finally have my state license.

Pending DEA license.

Filled out full hospital credentialing form but now I need to go get a TB test.

Filled out liability insurance form.

Still pending start date.

Have socialized every night since I've been here through Reddit, Meetup.com, Tinder, and my best friend visiting for two nights.

Meeting interesting people, haven't found someone I particularly vibe with yet. Will continue socializing until I can no longer handle it. Now I'm going to focus on meeting up with the same people vs new people.

Still buying furniture and figuring out what to do with a room almost 3x the size of my old one (no seriously I decided to put my desk and bookcase in the closet.. because I can so now it's like a pseudo office closet).

Its snowed twice since I've been here and dropped to the 20s.

I like my roommate so far.

Boo (my cat) has been so much more cuddly/affectionate lately. Part it being cold, part it being the fact that I'm home all day. Theres an adoption event this weekend with $5 adult cat adoption fee... so tempting.

Been getting my last hangouts with everyone, so sad. I'm even seeing my ex tonight as a final goodbye.

Also have been seeing this guy for the past month. I'm having a blast with him and just enjoying his company. Of course I meet someone when I'm moving for good. Going to spend one last time together on Saturday. We both acknowledged if I wasnt leaving we would've kept seeing each other.. no regrets though, gotta enjoy it for what it is and we both knew there was an end on our first date. He also hosts meetup events and they're fun and met cool people (ugh why am I leaving again?) so I have hopes for meetup events up north.

Doing Rugged Maniac on Saturday! First mud obstacle course and I'm excited!

Live 30 min from work in a HUGE tourist attraction town (actual population like 3k), ~50 min from the city in a tiny 450 sq ft studio.

Or

Live in the city, access to downtown via bus or bike, and commute an hour one way in a 1085 sq ft 2br/1bath apt?

With huge caveat - 7 days on 7 days off schedule.

And the 2Br/1B apartment in the city with a roommate is $2k less a year than the studio closer to work and that includes average cost of gas/mth.

Was told I can sleep in the ED call room if the snow gets bad. I can crash at a hotel once or twice on an on week IN town with a what.. <5 min commute?

Yes. Its guaranteed commutes living in the city. I'll also live in the boonies if I dont.

My family is pushing me to get the studio. Because commuting suuuuccks and they think it's a bad idea. But my mental health is important? One of the biggest reasons I chose this job is my 7 days off. So I have a life outside of work. Also my hospital is tiny and majority are all old white people. There's seriously NOTHING around there. I checked out all the towns that had apts.

Isolating myself just to cut my commute in half.. idk. I want a social life? I dont want to commute an hour to hang out with a friend, especially if it's last minute. Also.. I need to make friends.

26 weeks of hour commutes.