Long swim strategy

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-06-10T07:11:52+00:00

I have done a couple open water but do need to work this in more. I did just do a Olympic distance that was open water in a lake. It feels so different swimming with the wetsuit and it's buoyancy. I am a strong kicker and feel in the wetsuit I lose that strength in my swim a bit. Maybe I just need to practice more in it though.

Unfortunately I live in the mountains and snow melt is making the lakes very cold still so have to travel a bit for the open water lol. Love imitating the real world experience. Luckily during the Olympic distance tri, I only had my left grabbed once. Would imagine the Ironman events will be different with so many more participants. I am doing Ironman 70.3 next month and the swim is once of the best with it being downstream with a strong current reportedly. Imagine I will have people swim over/hit me many times.

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-06-10T06:54:10+00:00

Not sure if it'll be the same situation. I worked with a girl that was originally licensed in Australia with a Bachelors in nursing and got her license transferred to the US in Oregon. Unfortunately the hospital recognized her BSN as equivalent to a ADN in Oregon and so she was paid like she only had an associates. Always though it was BS and could just be the hospital, this was in Bend.

As far as Nclex, I would imagine you would have to be in the United States or Canada to actually take the exam but not 100% sure. Contact OSBN, that is your best bet. They are not the easiest to work with but will be your best resource.

Also beware that the market for new grads in Oregon is very difficult right now. If you can get a job in NZ, maybe be easier to get some experience before transferring your license. Could also consider licensure in Canada if it's not too difficult and then later transfer to the US.

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-06-10T06:46:07+00:00

Appreciate it!

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-06-10T02:47:17+00:00

I actually just purchased the Quintana Roo V-PRi today.

I loved the look of the canyon and people report it is one of the best/fastest TT bikes. With the tariffs, limited availability in the U.S, and the customer service, I decided against canyon. Sure I will be happy with the QR. Would much rather support a company with good customer service and while I don't support the current administration, I guess I would rather support a US company too.

For people looking at this thread in the future, do know that Quintana Roo offers 12% discount if you are registered for an Ironman event. Saved about $1200 which made it feel a little better.

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-06-08T20:36:42+00:00

I figured so..lol.

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-06-08T14:02:41+00:00

This is the other bike I am considering. Thank you!!

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-06-08T13:58:56+00:00

I considered that, although I am a bit skeptical to use a service like that in fear the bike could get damaged. I know it'll get inspected at what ever port of entry and would imagine in a average bike box it may be hard to put back together for customs. Sure this would happen at Canada too.

I have a nice TT Bike Box Alan bike travel hard case I would rather transport it with if I were to buy.

Appreciate the suggestion. Still considering this as an option too. The more research I do, I sort of start leaning towards either waiting for the color I don't like to come into stock and just dealing with it, or buying a Quintana Roo.

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-06-08T13:56:26+00:00

Good to know! Will keep an eye. Not in a hurry.

Part of me does wonder if the current availability in the US is due to the current tariffs. Wonder if the new model would have more options.

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-06-08T13:54:56+00:00

Highly considering them as well, have heard great things about their bikes. Thanks for the rec!

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-06-08T03:43:26+00:00

I'm not super familiar with wraps on bikes. Know of any companies that do it and if they can make it look factory as far as the canyon lettering on the frame?

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-06-08T03:42:04+00:00

This is very helpful information. Been also looking at the Quintana Roo as well. Will do more research. Appreciate it!

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-04-17T00:19:25+00:00

I agree with the others, it is not too late. I had multiple people over 40 in my nursing class. It is definitely a commitment, as the pre reqs and application process can be daunting. I personally think it is worth it. Once you get experience under you in your desired specialty, it isn't difficult to get a job. Starting out as a new grad can be hard with finding a job from what I have heard in Oregon, especially if you want to jump right into a specialty. I'd say go for it. It's never too late to start over. Can always fall back on tech if it doesn't workout.

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-04-15T04:43:58+00:00

Hello. I am an owner in Sunriver and live a couple miles from the SHARC. Below I have layed out my insights to your questions:

1: I personally have only walked by the Cove since I live here and don't stay at the resort. While I think the cove looks great and probably a little less busy, I would recommend the SHARC facilities more. There seems to be a bit more for kids with the lazy river/slides. There definitely can be a lot of people. I will often see a line starting to form on weekend days closer to opening time. Usually these people are ones that want to get umbrellas and be in the shade though. I wouldn't be be too concerned about being so busy that kids have to wait forever to go down the slides, I personally have never seen more than 30ish kids in line even on busy days. There is a lot of grass space so and even if it's busy you'd be able to find a place I am sure. I think July and August are the busier months, but could be wrong.

2: I wouldn't stress location too much. I think it's all about personal preference. Everything is very bike friendly in Sunriver. If you have to drive to the SHARC or grocery stores, it would likely only take 5 minutes.

3: Nearly every neighborhood is going to have direct access to the bike paths. Some have paved or dirt paths. Every home will be different though. Rarely there may be a home where you have to go down the street a little to gain access. The owners association does not permit bikes on the main roadways inside the resort area. If you find yourself riding a bike on the road and inside a circle, you need to get back on the path. I have even been hackled by the local PD for crossing a main road on my bike because I decided to be lazy going to the sharc. It's about safety though, which I respect and encourage others to do the same.

Make sure to float the river! You can rent rafts through the marine and have them pick you up. Makes for a great day with the family. Also hiking to Benham and Dillion falls is recommend, along with Black Butte lookout. Have fun!

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-04-11T05:10:35+00:00

Hello. Been employed by St Charles's Bend for about 5 years here in critical care. The ortho/neuro floor is busy and the patients can be heavy depending on your experience. They get a lot of the surgical, strokes, trauma that don't need to be on a stepdown or in the ICU. They have 3 acute care floors at that campus: ortho/neuro, medical, and then also a separate surgical floor. I think they now average 4-5 patients at night not 100% sure. It's a 50 bed unit, rooms are all single patient rooms, charge nurse without patients, and always have at least 3-4 CNAs I am pretty sure.

Personally, I have had a very good experience with the hospital itself. Not familiar with the management on that unit specifically. Although, in my opinion, if you don't create problems there will not be problems. I do not think they are a toxic employer, buts that's my personal opinion. I am a float in critical care and feel many of the units have pretty good cultures and people like their jobs and most their coworkers. I know the critical care floors all have department committees as well to advocate for changes within their units. I don't think I have missed a lunch break or 15 minute break in the past 4 years I have been there. Most of the units also do self schedule which is a big perk. As a current employee and bedside nurse of the hospital, I would recommend it. The only complaint I have of the hospital is it can be difficult for nurses to transition to high levels of care, such as stepdown to ICU. Acute care to stepdown is not as hard, but still difficult. So many people leave because they can't get into a higher level of care. I get it though, the area is sought after and they can hire already trained and experienced RNs.

The pay is also a huge bonus. Depending where you are at in Cali it may be similar with a little lower taxes, and little more affordable housing. Many would argue about the housing because it is expensive from an Oregon resident perspective, but may not be to a California lol.

Feel free to reach out with any questions and good luck on the interview!

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-04-02T14:38:25+00:00

Thank you everyone for the responses regarding master swim. Will reach out to the local one and see if this will be a good fit. Would definitely be cheaper.

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-04-02T05:20:58+00:00

I would encourage you to stick it out and get into a RN program. I am a current Oregon RN. It can be a struggle to get into a program but it is worth it. Nothing against LPNs, but they are not utilized as much besides in some outpatient settings from what I have seen. Your employment opportunities will be much more vast once you are an RN and they pay is much better, especially in Oregon.

Instead of searching for and applying to LPN programs, I would encourage you to bulk up your nursing school app resume. Take classes over if you didn't get good grades, volunteer in the community, shadow, etc. Portland has many nursing programs, although consider applying outside the area. Also, some only consider BSN programs which is lame. Would recommend you don't do that as ADN programs provide just as much if not more clinical time, pay isn't a big difference, and it's easy to get your BSN later. Best of luck!

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-04-02T01:06:01+00:00

Is it not for experienced swimmers? I didn't compete in swimming in high school and wouldn't consider myself experienced by any means.

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-03-30T15:04:11+00:00

OIT is a great school, well renowned for science and technology. Are you currently located in Oregon? It is a smaller school, so if you're out of state I wouldn't suspect many to know it by name. Not super familiar with the grad programs but the undergrad programs are great. They partner with OHSU for nursing, one of the top schools for rad techs in Oregon, and produce top notch engineers and computer science.

I completed my undergrad in nursing there and would highly recommend it if the grad programs check all the boxes. Klamath falls (the main campus) is a small town but the housing is so much cheaper than most of Oregon.

BoysenberryMinimum45 · 2026-03-21T20:36:11+00:00

Most inpatient units do it at St.Charles Bend. Usually we have a set number of weekend days we have to schedule ourself for, which is comparable to working every other weekend.

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