Hello Texas

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 9:13 am

I just arrived in Amarillo for a two week emergency nursing assignment. I'll be working almost 80 hours each week.

I have no idea what type of conditions I'll be walking into, but it's not good.

Wish me luck!

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 9:28 am

Xmann wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 9:13 am I just arrived in Amarillo for a two week emergency nursing assignment. I'll be working almost 80 hours each week.

I have no idea what type of conditions I'll be walking into, but it's not good.

Wish me luck!

Good luck, stay safe!

Hope you get some time off after the assignment.

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 9:44 am

I'll see how it goes, but if it's tolerable I'll fly back home for a week and then come back. I'll never work for this type of pay again.

My contract states the hospital is required to provide proper PPE and if not, I'm to not enter a room and call a representative from the company I'm working through. They have someone onsite 24/7. This was the 1 stipulation I needed.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 10:14 am

Yeah, the money has to be crazy. I know a traveling ER doc and his COVID pay is unbelievable.

Just take care of yourself!

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 10:52 am

Good luck in the eye of the storm.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 1:03 pm

Good luck. Stay safe. My sister does Flight for Life in Texas. She assures me that she is being careful and always has sufficient PPE. But I still worry. Texas is certainly a bit rough these days. So definitely call in that marker if you have to.

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 1:15 pm

Yeah, my friend has been working with this company since May all over the country and she said she's never had a problem with PPE. I have a rep from the company staying in the hotel that can help 24/7 and a rep at the hospital. My contract actually says I'm not allowed any patient care without PPE.

If this works out and I can tolerate the hours, I'm going to go home in 2 weeks and come back for 2 weeks and so on. If I can manage it, I'll almost make my normal yearly salary in 3 months.

Daehawk · Post by **Daehawk** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 1:33 pm

If they try to guilt you into a room to help without your ppe just refuse. No time to be a hero. Got a wife back home who loves you to think of. A life ahead. Some of those people probably are there because they are the type not to take it seriously.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 3:02 pm

Do you have your passport? Texans don't think much of foreigners.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 3:16 pm

dbt1949 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 3:02 pm Do you have your passport? Texans don't think much of foreigners.

Hey they held off Obama when he came for their guns, I'm sure they can handle a Vol.

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 3:31 pm

Daehawk wrote:If they try to guilt you into a room to help without your ppe just refuse. No time to be a hero. Got a wife back home who loves you to think of. A life ahead. Some of those people probably are there because they are the type not to take it seriously.

My company gave me strick instructions to not do patient care without PPE. It's against my contract to do so. I will not do anything that compromises my safety or health.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 3:53 pm

Good luck, stay safe, and thanks for what you're doing.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:44 pm

Thank you for doing that. Good luck, and be safe.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:47 pm

Nothing but respect Xmann. Be safe and stay sane.

hitbyambulance · Post by **hitbyambulance** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:57 pm

Xmann wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 1:15 pm If I can manage it

...a big fat 'IF', to be sure...

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:02 pm

hitbyambulance wrote:
Xmann wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 1:15 pm If I can manage it
...a big fat 'IF', to be sure...

Thank you for pointing this out. I CAN manage it. Just have to see if I'm willing to do it again.

hitbyambulance · Post by **hitbyambulance** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:28 pm

Xmann wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:02 pm
hitbyambulance wrote:
Xmann wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 1:15 pm If I can manage it
...a big fat 'IF', to be sure...
Thank you for pointing this out. I CAN manage it. Just have to see if I'm willing to do it again.

i understand that a front-line medical worker such as yourself needs be made of sterner stuff, but i'm imagining 16 hour days in a plague ward with a significant terminal population...

Scuzz · Post by **Scuzz** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 8:02 pm

Good luck. I think we all appreciate what your doing and there is nothing wrong with making some money while you do it.

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Sat Dec 05, 2020 10:12 pm

If you need any advice, I'm an expert now.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Sun Dec 06, 2020 10:12 pm

Once upon a time, these threads were rife with local recommendations and were interesting to follow.

I assume you are sequestered in a hotel room every minute you're not working. Not so fun these days.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Sun Dec 06, 2020 11:16 pm

Kraken wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 10:12 pm If you need any advice, I'm an expert now.

How many "little people" does it take to defeat a tiger?

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Sun Dec 06, 2020 11:57 pm

dbt1949 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 06, 2020 11:16 pm
Kraken wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 10:12 pm If you need any advice, I'm an expert now.

How many "little people" does it take to defeat a tiger?

Just one, with the right weapon.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 12:20 am

Wow, you DO know everything.

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 2:45 pm

Jeff V wrote:Once upon a time, these threads were rife with local recommendations and were interesting to follow.

I assume you are sequestered in a hotel room every minute you're not working. Not so fun these days.

I have 1 day off and I can do what I want on that day. The other days I'm required to stay in the hotel at all times. I made a couple trips to walmart and loaded up on groceries and what not, so I'm good. I also brought my Fire stick so I have all my tv entertainment. The weather is also chilly and windy so I'd be inside anyhow. I'm also in a nice hotel so I've been reading in the lobby just to get out of my room.

Regardless, I'll gladly stay sequestered considering what they are paying me.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 4:08 pm

The thrill of travelling for work was always seeing the local sights and dining at local restaurant -- things that can't be enjoyed these days. I've been all over Texas but never Amarillo, so I don't have any ready recommendations on things that you might be able to see and do.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 5:48 pm

Amarillo. Isn't that where they have the giant steak you can have for free if you can eat it all in one setting

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 5:51 pm

dbt1949 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 07, 2020 5:48 pm Amarillo. Isn't that where they have the giant steak you can have for free if you can eat it all in one setting

In Texas? You probably have to be more specific. I'd be surprised if there aren't literally 100's of restaurants with that kind of promotion. Though maybe it's the biggest steak of the lot? Paging Izzie.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 6:06 pm

The Big Texan

The Big Texan is best known for its 72 ounce (4.5 pounds or 2.04 kg) steak. The steak is free to anyone who, in one hour or less, can eat the entire meal, consisting of the steak itself, a bread roll with butter, a baked potato, shrimp cocktail, and a salad; otherwise, the meal costs $72.[3] Those who have successfully consumed the 72oz steak challenge have their names recorded and posted at the restaurant. To date, over 9,800 people out of about 68,000 people who attempted this challenge have accomplished this feat.

TheMix · Post by **TheMix** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 6:21 pm

Okay. That's pretty big. Granted.

Holman · Post by **Holman** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 6:30 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Mon Dec 07, 2020 6:06 pm The Big Texan

The Big Texan is best known for its 72 ounce (4.5 pounds or 2.04 kg) steak. The steak is free to anyone who, in one hour or less, can eat the entire meal, consisting of the steak itself, a bread roll with butter, a baked potato, shrimp cocktail, and a salad; otherwise, the meal costs $72.[3] Those who have successfully consumed the 72oz steak challenge have their names recorded and posted at the restaurant. To date, over 9,800 people out of about 68,000 people who attempted this challenge have accomplished this feat.

The gimmick is that anyone who can consume that steak has no idea what to do with the salad.

Redfive · Post by **Redfive** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 9:51 pm

dbt1949 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 3:02 pm Do you have your passport? Texans don't think much of foreigners.

Quite the contrary, we're really quite welcoming. So, welcome Xmann!

I went to high school in Canyon, which is essentially south Amarillo these days I would imagine. I haven't lived there since my second year of college so, other than the Big Texan (which is really for out of town folk anyway), I couldn't really suggest any local restaurants.

I can, however, suggest that if you find yourself with nothing to do on your day off, consider going to Palo Duro Canyon (for which the city Canyon was named). It is really quite impressive. Kind of sneaks up on you too--driving along the flat plain and then suddenly boom, huge canyon.

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Mon Dec 07, 2020 10:22 pm

Tomorrow is my first shift and I'm glad. Getting kind of stir crazy sitting in this hotel.

I had a quick 2 hour orientation this morning and the hospital seems nice and they are glad to have us.

I still don't know the rationale for how they are paying us. I got paid a full 12 hours yesterday and all I did was hang out in my room. Today I had a 2 hour orientation and got paid for 12 hours. I have a friend in El Paso that's been there since last Sunday and she hasn't worked a day and she's getting paid to sit around.

Moat_Man · Post by **Moat_Man** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 1:13 am

Xmann wrote: ↑Mon Dec 07, 2020 10:22 pm Tomorrow is my first shift and I'm glad. Getting kind of stir crazy sitting in this hotel.

I had a quick 2 hour orientation this morning and the hospital seems nice and they are glad to have us.

I still don't know the rationale for how they are paying us. I got paid a full 12 hours yesterday and all I did was hang out in my room. Today I had a 2 hour orientation and got paid for 12 hours. I have a friend in El Paso that's been there since last Sunday and she hasn't worked a day and she's getting paid to sit around.

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 1:43 am

I spent a year at El Paso when I was in the army. Seemed much longer. But joining the cavalry was fun.

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 1:48 am

Xmann wrote: ↑Mon Dec 07, 2020 10:22 pm Tomorrow is my first shift and I'm glad. Getting kind of stir crazy sitting in this hotel.

I had a quick 2 hour orientation this morning and the hospital seems nice and they are glad to have us.

I still don't know the rationale for how they are paying us. I got paid a full 12 hours yesterday and all I did was hang out in my room. Today I had a 2 hour orientation and got paid for 12 hours. I have a friend in El Paso that's been there since last Sunday and she hasn't worked a day and she's getting paid to sit around.

You're going to earn your pay and then some. Enjoy the downtime while you can.

Default · Post by **Default** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 8:39 am

I've been working 85+ hours a week in the PO, so I can tell you, it's ok for the first three months. Once you get past 6 months, it just becomes a Bataan deathmarch.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 11:43 am

PO=Post Office? Not sure...

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 11:47 am

Post -Op?

dbt1949 · Post by **dbt1949** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 11:50 am

Pacific Ocean.

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Tue Dec 08, 2020 11:55 am

IIRC, Default is a mail carrier, so PO = Post Office.