Contract II: Boston Diary

I am currently sitting at lunch right now at work. It’s 2 AM and I am genuinely in my feels about leaving this city.

I usually have an idea for these blogs. I know where it’s going, I offer advice, ideas, tips, topics and recommendations. I adore talking to nurses about travel contracts, I will ramble on and on about travel for forever. But for this one, I am truly just talking. Because I actually don’t care who reads this. I think there’s this crazy concept on social media that the content has to be for other people, but for me some forms are truly good for me too and act as a creative outlet. I adore taking endless pictures. I look back on travel pics daily. I have a photo album printed. On my worst days I remind myself that those pictures were some of my best days, and I continue. I vlog and make day in the life reels to show the reality of day to day life, to document the parts of life that do not always get a large platform. I also watch those back often because it forces me to be productive on the days I want to sleep in until 5 min before my shift. I make blogs as a form of therapy. Do I hope my content reaches people? Of course. Do I hope people learn something, get motivation or experience any type of positive feeling? Of freaking course. But I don’t depend on it. I don’t find it a chore. And the moment I do I’ll stop. Because I think it’s healthy to view this blog as a in the moment book of my life. No matter where I am at in 5 years, 10 years, 30 years… I don’t think I’ll ever regret having these memories, these words, these feelings out in the open to look back on. Life is too precious to not romanticize it to its full capacity.

So, back to right now. I don’t always love cities. I don’t like the stimulation, I don’t like skyscrapers, or bright neon lights. I have always associated cities with chaos, fast moving and never a moment of stillness, of peace. I came to Boston after applying to multiple jobs in New Hampshire and Vermont. I wanted to spend the Fall in an area where the leaves burned orange, the air was crisp and I could properly romanticize the season I adored (and missed) so much after living in Houston and Florida. This Boston contract came along on a random Tuesday while I was sitting at a coffee shop in Stevens Point Wisconsin on a hot August afternoon. I remember I was drinking an overly sweet caramel latte and chatting it up with the sweet older gentleman who would spend every Tuesday afternoon at that coffee shop while his wife finished up her swim class. I looked down and had a text about this Boston contract. I knew little to nothing about Boston but I knew the Fall was gorgeous, the timing was right, the pay was right and next thing I knew, I was signing a 13 week contract in New England! I finished up my contract in Wisconsin (sadly, loved that summer so much) and within about 8 days my Mom and I were on our way with a 17 hour road trip to go. I don’t mean to sound like a pick me girl… but when people ask if I get nervous I genuinely don’t know what to say. Because if I just say “nope” I sound a bit crazy… BUT I honestly don’t get nervous. I would say the feeling I feel is uncomfortable but like beyond excited. I am in love with constant fresh starts, the newness of everything is intoxicating for me. The first week here I spent the first couple days with my mom doing every single touristy Boston activity that one could possibly pack into a weekend. From lobster slathered in butter, walking the Freedom Trail, a few cheesy Harvard pics, North End mid day wine and cannolis, and lots and lots of walking we truly had a time. By the end of the weekend I was unpacked, cozy and content eating pizza, watching a movie and toasting to a new chapter here in Boston.

So first, the nursing.

I spent that first week doing orientation work for the hospital, roaming around Boston in my off time, getting settled etc.

I worked a lot this contract. Like an insane amount actually. 48 hrs/ week. This ends up being about 50 hours a week. All night shift and never ever a good schedule. To say the exhaustion is real is an understatement. I’m mentally and physically drained. But I am not burnt out. HOW, WHY?! This hospital without a doubt was the best facility I have ever stepped foot in, and it showed. I have never ever had a shift that has left me in tears from just complete feeling of total failure. Why? it’s not because there wasn’t difficult patients. It was not because it wasn’t emotionally taxing or critical situations didn’t occur. It’s simply because the ratios were great and I felt like I had complete and total control over my time and was able to fully care for my patients. It’s truly amazing how great of an experience healthcare can be when you treat nurses and healthcare staff with respect and don’t overload them to the point of fear. The patients benefit as well. The patient care was amazing and I have literally nothing but amazing things to say about nursing in Boston <3 The unit it’s self was eye opening and very specialized. These patients were complex neuro patients dealing with new tumor diagnosis, strokes, craniotomies and lot of trachs, PEGs, feeding tubes and total care patients. But regardless it was a learning experience and I don’t regret it a bit. I do miss my crazy cardiac patients though lol.

Night shift is hard. Long hours are hard. Not a lot of sleep. Running off caffeine. Weird eating patterns. All of this is part of the game. It’s all hard. But I do it, and I honestly love working a lot and having long chunks of time off. I truthfully believe that if you feel like travel nursing is for you, you should go for it. The people you meet, the new clinical experiences, the forever useful skills of flexibility and adaptability to new environments is a skillset not everyone can say they hold. Nursing is such an amazing field due to the immense amounts of opportunities in and out of the acute care setting.

I also loved being a tourist for an entire 3 months around New England. I refuse to believe it’s ever a flaw to be lost or look confused or get overly excited over something. On the contrary I think being a cheesy tourist and getting overly excited and taking pictures of everything is SO fun. My entire life requires always being a tourist, I never know where the closest grocery store is, the best coffee shop or any bars. Exploring new things does not have to be daunting… its actually quite fun!

Things I did in Boston that screamed tourist but I 10/10 recommend

-Walked the Freedom trail (twice lol)

-Ran around the city for a day I had off in December to see every single Christmas tree, lights etc.

-Had a cannoli at every bakery in the North end (best? Modern)

-Ate a whole Lobster (and realized I don’t really like Lobster, I like butter lol)

-Had coffee in every single Tatte in Boston. This was actually unintentional but still cheesy lol

-Went to the Boston Library twice just because it’s pretty lol

-Literally spent a gross amount of money at the Zara on Newbury which is a whole ass war zone.

-Attempted to go Whale Watching twice

-Tried a lobster roll (big nope)

-Visited the Isabella Gardner Museum

-Walked around Harvard pretending to be smart

-Red Sox Game duh

-Bruins game hehe

-Tried a oyster (tolerable…ish)

-walked every where u can Esplande Charles River, Boston Common, Public Garden, Harbor-walk

-visited beacon hill multiple times to feel *rich* also bc they have the cutest 5 story bookstore

-ate the mushroom truffle gnocchi at Euno’s once a week

The list goes on and on but moral of the story? I looooovvveee being a tourist. Literally what’s more exciting than seeing and doing things you never have before.

I also carved out some time to take really amazing weekend trips during peak Fall to some places that were very much at the top of my bucket list.

I did a weekend in Maine where I stayed at cute little airbnbs in Portland, Bar Harbor and Bangor. I hiked the Beehive Trail 12/10. I visited 3 too many light houses (yes after a couple they just blend together tbh). I watched sunset at Acadia National Park with a few strangers who decided I looked lame and needed friends.

I got a big chunk of time off 5 days and did an amazing hiking trip to Vermont and New Hampshire. I visited Stowe and Woodstock Vermont. I visited White Mountain National Park near Conway and got to experience some incredible views, food, coffee and people. I have travel blogs / guides on each of these fall destinations here:

https://www.tayleejohnson.com/blog/qzb3d8gbzdt62qq7n35vs6tgwzlgmd

Things to note about Boston and what to know before signing a contract:

1. The traffic is horrendous, highly recommend securing housing within walking distance to your assessment.

2. Short term housing is a literal nightmare. I got very lucky but I would suggest Boston housing pages on FB, Craigslist and airbnb. Try to secure housing prior to signing or ensure you have a adequate amount of time to search.

3. It is expensive to live there, make sure your contract is paying you adequately to compensate for that.

4. Parking? Nightmare as well. I you need a car try to find a housing situation that offers a spot as spot hero and longer term options are pricey.

5. If you are not within walking distance to your place of work be sure you are a short walk to the T or bus stop (preferably T as the buses get stuck in traffic too).

I could go on and on about what I loved about Boston, and by no means am I all that qualified. I lived there for 3 months and worked about 60% of those hours spending all my time in a hospital but I truly truly believe there are very few places in the country where healthcare is more adequate, the smallness of the city sets you at ease and there’s so much to do… would 10/10 return to the hospital and area!

Thank you, Boston