What a difference a year makes. Status/reconnect thread

[Ralph]

Hey guys.

It's obvious nobody comes here like they used to, which sucks.  I guess I just wanted to toss up a post and throw out a line to whomever on here I don't already interact with elsewhere, to say drop a line, a PM or something, let me know where you're at and what's up and where you're skulking around at these days.  There were a lot of good connections here that I'd hate to lose.

So if you come breezing through and see this, this may apply to you

[Dan]

Chowdown and I were keeping the world updated on our existance in the "WTF you doing" thread, I suppose I can just cut/paste it over from there.

I'm still working at my jerb in the ICU, been there 7 months now without any horrific incidents. It's a very stressful job and it takes its toll on me some days. Just the other day I was floating coverage for 3 ICU's and had to terminally wean a patient (aka pull the plug) and look at 30 family members crying at the same watching me like a hawk, then I went to another unit to do an admission. I took one 10 minute break. If the money wasn't as good as it is, I'd definitely reconsider my profession. It's not even that great, but for only having graduated in May, I can't complain.

Speaking of professions, I'm back in school taking graduate statistics. It's my last prerequisite before I can apply to graduate school (nurse anesthesia). I have to take ACLS next month, my CCRN certification sometime before June, and the GRE sometime before June as well. LOADS of fun there. If I get in *fingers crossed* I'd start fall 2011 and graduate after summer 2013.

Still seeing the same girl, 8 months and going now. She might move in next fall if we're still dating, she plans on going back for grad school as well so it would be a money saver to boot.

Still rockin' the Focus too, I wish I wasn't but being financially responsible is a lot easier than ballin' on a budget.

What 'bout chu Ralphy?

[hrtatack1]

f*** You Ralph

[Ralph]

Love you Pete

I still have your number.  I'm probably gonna be in your 'hood around the end of March for a few days if you wanna grab a beer.

It sounds like you have quite the vector going, Dan-o.  I'm surprised you haven't killed the Focus yet!  I've also been with the same girl for about 8 months now.  She moved in a little while ago and all signs are pointing down the aisle...  Eeek.

[doogz]

w3rd. Did some traveling in the past 3 months. London, NYC, back to London for NYE. Been dating an optometrist for about 5 months. Nothing really new apart from traveling & the woman. Work still kicks ass, glad to be a part of the action as usual. I've been sorta kinda trying to get into programming more, but it's not been going well.

Ralph, what's new with you?

[Mr. White]

Yo.

Nothing all that new. I've refinanced the house, been chasing a 1 year old around and bought the new truck.

That's it.

Nothing else.

[Mr. White]

Pic of said truck in case anyone cares

[BadAndy]

Looks more like a SUV.

[01_blue]

Ralph thinking of marriage?  holy s*** a lot has changed since i stopped spending so much time on the internet.

Good for you Dannyboy! 

I'm thinking of refinancing too...other than that, i still have the stang but its garaged as i drive an extended cab dodge ram thunderroad that I can't park worth s***, but that's okay, i park on the far end of the parking lot anyway.  Stang needs new seats or seat covers since the leather split in some spots.  In the past 2 year it has gotten big fat tires, new gears, programmed along with the other minor mods it had from before.  Still working at lowe's but got out of HR since i was bored to tears.  I got two doggies running aroung the house and occasionally the b/f stops by but that that's about it for me.

[1FastDoc]

@ Dan: I recall mentioning the CRNA program last year.  Glad to hear you're looking into it.  It has a very high job satisfaction rate.  If you want to look at Wake Forest let me know, I can probably get you an interview.

I'm finishing my residency and joining a group in Nashville, TN.  It seems like the perfect place for a former New Yorker without any taste for country music.  If any of y'all are in the neighborhood my door is always open.

[Mr. White]

When are you moving Doc? I may need a place to crash when football season rolls around.

[Dan]

@ Dan: I recall mentioning the CRNA program last year.  Glad to hear you're looking into it.  It has a very high job satisfaction rate.  If you want to look at Wake Forest let me know, I can probably get you an interview.

I'm finishing my residency and joining a group in Nashville, TN.  It seems like the perfect place for a former New Yorker without any taste for country music.  If any of y'all are in the neighborhood my door is always open.

Worth a shot! They look fairly competitive, even moreso than Wayne State. Although they want 2000+ hours of independent practice as an RN before application, June-September I was in orientation so that doesn't count for them, although it's not a for-sure if they take into account you'll have 2 years of orientation + independent practice before you are starting the program. Can't hurt to try.

http://www.wfubmc.edu/School/Nurse-Anesthesia-Program/Entrance-Requirements.htm

When I get around to taking the GRE I'll let you know. Thanks homeslice.

So what's the group you'll be joining? Speciality?

[ELB 1]

I've been put into a program called SPP at work.  Basically, I'm now a supervisor in training.  I have a few people ahead of me as I've only been there a little over a year, but I'm not complaining.  Hopefully this time next year I'll either have my own section or I'll be on the road as a claims adjuster.  Class for me should start any day now.  GEICO pays 100% as long as you get a degree they approve of.  Can't argue with free school, esp when Florida Southern comes to us.  I've also just signed up to take a few courses to get my INS and CPCU designation. 

I've been with the same girl for almost a year now. She's currently works for a lawyer and is going to school part time.  I'm taking things a bit slower with this one and don't plan on moving in together for a while.  She's a very outgoing woman and tries every way to help me with any hobby I have.   I'm actually moving to a new place right after my trip to Deals Gap in April.  I've been saving cash for a new truck and hopefully a house next year.  I've been working O.T. and trying to live on $600 a month to save all I can.

[BadAndy]

I'm still at Otis. No Mustang though.

3 years and 9 months until I'm out of debt (except for the house) and then I'll be saving up for a 2014 Mustang

[1FastDoc]

Worth a shot! They look fairly competitive, even moreso than Wayne State. Although they want 2000+ hours of independent practice as an RN before application, June-September I was in orientation so that doesn't count for them, although it's not a for-sure if they take into account you'll have 2 years of orientation + independent practice before you are starting the program. Can't hurt to try.

http://www.wfubmc.edu/School/Nurse-Anesthesia-Program/Entrance-Requirements.htm

When I get around to taking the GRE I'll let you know. Thanks homeslice.

So what's the group you'll be joining? Speciality?

Looks like I'll be joining St Thomas Medical Group, down the road from Vandy.  My specialty is ENT/Head & Neck surgery.  We're just in the contract negotiation stage right now; they are being a little unreasonable.

[1FastDoc]

When are you moving Doc? I may need a place to crash when football season rolls around.

Moving in July to start in August.  You can always crash at my place.  Pay no mind to the gerbils.

[computers_suc]

Quit my old job for another oportunity last november. I i have a stack of books 2 feet high which i had to study to keep my current job. I've finished all my exams as of last week with a 95% average. It was actually quite the challenge for a guy who hasn't been in a classroom for years. It's nice to be home. I've flown more in the past 3 months than i have in my life.

[Dan]

Worth a shot! They look fairly competitive, even moreso than Wayne State. Although they want 2000+ hours of independent practice as an RN before application, June-September I was in orientation so that doesn't count for them, although it's not a for-sure if they take into account you'll have 2 years of orientation + independent practice before you are starting the program. Can't hurt to try.

http://www.wfubmc.edu/School/Nurse-Anesthesia-Program/Entrance-Requirements.htm

When I get around to taking the GRE I'll let you know. Thanks homeslice.

So what's the group you'll be joining? Speciality?

Looks like I'll be joining St Thomas Medical Group, down the road from Vandy.  My specialty is ENT/Head & Neck surgery.  We're just in the contract negotiation stage right now; they are being a little unreasonable.

What do ENT surgeons do that neurosurgeons won't? Aside from probably the obvious like ENT's getting trachs and neurosurgeons doing tumor removal or whatever. Are there some surgeries where the responsibility is shared?

Hope they're not lowballing you, you've got come too far to have that be the bullcrap you've gotta deal with now.

[Dan]

Quit my old job for another oportunity last november. I i have a stack of books 2 feet high which i had to study to keep my current job. I've finished all my exams as of last week with a 95% average. It was actually quite the challenge for a guy who hasn't been in a classroom for years. It's nice to be home. I've flown more in the past 3 months than i have in my life.

What'd field did you dive into?

[quake101]

Wowzers,

I haven't been on here in a while. (Funny how someone wanting to sue you over some user's post can bring you back...)

I've been super busy (and unhappy) with work, manager got fired and I get to pick up the slack... oh ya, no extra pay for that. So long story short, overworked, unappreciated and underpaid. I try to keep work at work and relax once I get home so I can recharge for the next day. My wife has been a great help, keeping me sane in all...

On the plus side of things... Jodie is prego (13 weeks tomorrow) and I'm super happy about that. We went to our first ultrasound a few weeks ago, that made me smile all day. I have a few things I gotta finish around the house to get it more "baby safe" but all is well. Another good thing going in my life is that I've started my own business, currently working on the side but I hope to have enough work to quit my day job.

Anyways, I plan on stopping in here once in a while, when time allows. If anyone wants to contact me I'm on face book at least once a week or you can PM me for my details.

[Robin]

It's good to hear how everyone's lives have changed,  and mostly for the better.

Me? I'm still married and working at the Kennedy Space Center.  That project is almost over, and as of right now, my job is scheduled to end on Feb 25th.  I've got my fingers crossed that I'll be extended until mid-April and then be transferred to a project in Orlando (if the company wins the bid for that job).

My house is rented through next January, so it's good to have that money coming in.

[1FastDoc]

Congrats Joe!  Good luck with the "baby proofing."  No matter what you do, they'll find something dangerous.

Dan, basically we operate on everything in the head and neck except the eyes and brain.  Ie. head and neck cancer with resection with reconstruction, all ear surgery, sinus surgery, voice surgery, oral surgery, facial trauma and facial plastic surgery.  We occasionally work with neuro when we do an ear or nasal approach for them.

The practice isn't low balling but the terms of the contract strongly favor the hospital should I decide to leave the practice.  Once they get a little more fair I'll sign.