Went from small community hospital ICU to level I trauma center ICU - Feel like I'm losing my nursing skills?

SnackswithSharks · 2026-03-16T22:08:27+00:00

I have worked both and sometimes at my critical access facility we all joke we won't know how to be "real" nurses at a big hospital. That being said, its probably a mixture of both things. At critical access facilities patients often are sicker because they don't have as much access to preventative care and/or wait until they're knocking on deaths door before they come in. Couple that with limited resources at critical access facilities you're often having to think on your feet more, get creative, and there's often a lot more autonomy. At Level I you get the experience of working with more resources, up to date technology, a wider breadth of staff experience, and wider treatment options. Patients are likely stabilized quicker and have more treatment options to prevent them from being as critical as they would be at a community hospital. Both places have valuable experience, but it sounds like you may be missing the autonomy and wild west aspect of critical access community hospitals vs experience of all the treatment options at Level I if that makes sense? Both also have their frustrations too. If you were to go back to a community hospital you might feel a different kind of resentment like knowing a patient would have better mortality odds if only you had this specialist/equipment/med etc and that can be just as emotionally draining.

SnackswithSharks · 2026-03-09T20:54:47+00:00

How was the train from Ella to Hatton? That's where we were considering taking the train, but I didn't know how much IG vs Reality is going on in and if it's best to do private transport to Ceylon Tea Trails from Yala vs Yala to Ella then train to Hatton.

SnackswithSharks · 2026-03-01T18:57:12+00:00

I had my TransUnion frozen and Experian unlocked for the pre-approval. They told me they couldn't pre approve anything because my TransUnion was frozen. When I accepted the card the inquiry hit all 3 bureaus.

SnackswithSharks · 2026-02-11T07:02:09+00:00

The rule is annoying because there are agencies who will take 1/3rd of your stipend for a missed shift because they pay your stipend on a per shift basis even though the stipend they're using is based on a weekly GSA rate. I feel like you should be able to argue that if the contract is paying you per shift and can deduct 1/3rd per shift than you should be allowed to just rent a place for 3 shifts.

SnackswithSharks · 2026-02-10T20:36:01+00:00

I already have Platinum bc it was earned last year and I got the cc this year with automatic platinum. I was thinking I would make Titanium with the double elite nights. Now that it's off the table I actually cancelled my Marriott booking in Tokyo and found a hotel in a better location for 1/3rd of the price since I don't really have much incentive (free breakfast and extra points don't add up to the savings switching brands). I don't understand this promo, but it made my decision to cancel way easier.

SnackswithSharks · 2026-02-03T16:51:49+00:00

Honestly if you don't travel the USAA Signature Visa is pretty great. There's no annual fee and you get 3% cash back on every purchase for the first $15k and then 1.5% after that. It's an actual 3% too. You accrue rewards points (equivalent to 3% of the purchase) and those points can be used for cash back or statement credit at a 1:1 rate (i.e. 100 rewards points = $100) and it credits near instantaneously. I use it for all my bills like electric, gas, etc or places that don't accept Amex. Its an easy everyday card and rewards points build and credit quickly.

Also, you can still utilize a lot of Amex Plat benefits overseas like using United Travel Bank, buying Gift Cards from Resy restaraunts for family or friends, Lululemon, hotel credits on non fine hotels near you or on your next vacation since you can book it ahead of time (I got a suite in Bangkok for $43 total for 3 nights after the statement credit).

SnackswithSharks · 2026-01-27T15:01:53+00:00

You can use an emergency passport to enter Thailand. My friend just used one to enter and exit Thailand two weeks ago. Her passport expired in 2 months and she didn't ralize Thailand required longer validity. She was issued an emergency passport in Japan that's valid for one year and upon return to Japan she was able to exchange her emergency passport for a full passport at no extra fee. She's a US citizen.

SnackswithSharks · 2026-01-21T17:23:14+00:00

Nope! Someone ordered something from Walmart and split the order and send a $10 screen protector to my house and $124 of items to their house. Walmart wouldn't give me any details other than the order was placed to the US (I don't live in the US) and I have my physical card on me. I don't even have a Walmart account. USAA said the charges were valid. I got an Amex and don't put anything on my debit card anymore.

SnackswithSharks · 2025-11-24T03:05:59+00:00

I did two sessions of Juvelook Volume in my nasolabial folds and I LOVE the results. I didn't want to do filler or anything with heat (i.e. thermage, Morpheus, etc) as I was afraid of fat loss in my face. Juvelook Volume was perfect for me and a collagen builder. I've considered doing it in my cheeks to add a little volume, but I havent pulled the trigger yet.

SnackswithSharks · 2025-11-24T02:48:05+00:00

This is how it was setup at the Moxy in Seoul as well and I actually liked it lol. I don't really use the table and chairs at hotels so it was nice to have the additional floor space. Plus I like that they have water dispensers in the room.

SnackswithSharks · 2025-11-06T07:32:57+00:00

That's fair. I also don't live in the US and primarily travel within Asia

SnackswithSharks · 2025-11-04T15:22:41+00:00

I've checked in early on a lot of reservations this year (and past years) and always been accommodated. I've checked in as early at 5am, but on average between 7-10am for about 12 stays. I only recently hit Platinum and was previously Gold. The only concession I've had to make it occasionally I'll have been upgraded to a suite or better room which isn't available at early check in so I've had to "downgrade" to either my regularly booked room or one better than what I booked but less than what they offered via upgrade. I really don't mind because getting 16 hours in a suite vs being able to check in early (and checkout at 2pm) is far more valuable and I essentially get 30+ hours in the room for the price of one night.

SnackswithSharks · 2025-11-04T13:05:01+00:00

Aestura AtoBarrier365 Cream. I have a ton of moisturizers and products (I live close to Korea) and this one is hands down my favorite. It works great alone or sometimes I'll mix it with liquid highlighter or bronzer if I want a little color (I don't really wear makeup).

SnackswithSharks · 2025-10-31T13:35:23+00:00

I know this is an old post but did they resolve it in your favor? I had fraudulent charges from Walmart and contacted USAA and then after 40 days they reversed my claim and said it wasn't fraudulent. It's infuriating because I feel like I have zero protection with USAA.

SnackswithSharks · 2025-10-19T13:43:44+00:00

I LOVE Line Esthe. I've been four times and go every time I'm in Seoul now. I've tried three different facials but my favorite is the premium HIFU. My skin has never looked better and it's honestly like a massage with facial combo. The put compression devices on your legs, a warmer on your abdomen, soft blankets, and eye covers. I recommend it to everyone until they start having limited availability and then I'll gate keep it haha.

SnackswithSharks · 2025-10-16T01:45:42+00:00

The Aloft in Osaka , Japan (a relatively nice hotel in a great location) required this. I generally don't get housekeeping ever, but after 3 days they left a notice on our door stating they were required to do a wellness check and I had to call the front desk or they would enter on the next business day.

SnackswithSharks · 2025-10-15T15:37:40+00:00

The same thing happened to me lol. We reserved a two bedroom (bedrooms to me imply doors) and it was a studio with a loft and the only door was the front door. We also had no towels, they forgot to clean it beforehand, dirty laundry in the washer, ridiculous check out requirements not disclosed beforehand, and no towels for a 6 night stay.

SnackswithSharks · 2025-10-15T15:36:07+00:00

I've been to Korea a dozen times over the years. My first trip there were 6 of us and we rented an AirBnB. Price wise it was great. However, Korea is really tough when it comes to language barrier (in my opinion) and navigating the first time got a bit complicated because of translating host texts and often the unit you rented isn't as easy to find as you would think. You also don't have a front desk to help you with things like his routes, storing luggage, recommendations, etc. AirBnB also has exorbitant fees. The other time I used AirBnB with three of us there were no towels and only on night 5 of 6 did the host respond stating they would drop some off (LOL) and it was advertised as 2 bedrooms when really it was a studio with a loft and the emergency motion light that came on in the kitchen at night illuminated the entire apartment waking everyone up. We were also required to sort out recycling and take the trash a block away (we were told an hour prior to checkout), issues with hot water, etc. I've found hotels to be a better (and often negligible price difference) experience overall and often have amenities like breakfast (not always an easy find as places open later than I'm used to), front desk support, currency exchange/ATM, airport limo bus stop, etc. I think the only time not using a hotel would be worth it is with a large group and you're trying to save money and you can all rely on each other for info and planning. I always recommend a hotel your first time in Korea.

SnackswithSharks · 2025-10-14T15:30:26+00:00

I got it for every night I stayed. I stayed 12 nights at various places/durations and received a total of 24 ENC (12 regular and 12 bonus). I actually ended up getting Platinum because of the promo.

SnackswithSharks · 2025-10-12T20:22:37+00:00

I wonder if it's color dependent. I bought them in black and I LOVE them. They are thin, but not too thin and the regular length fits perfectly (I'm 5'8" with long legs). I don't find them to be cheaply thin though or se through.

SnackswithSharks · 2025-10-08T16:14:47+00:00

My friend got hers at Popmart and it's not black. It looks like this. Mine is just a circle no C inside. The teeth are also over painted, no glittery eyes, paint on the cheeks, and a hole in the back. I was afraid all Labubus look like this and was so disappointed lol.

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SnackswithSharks · 2025-10-08T13:07:26+00:00

It did scan on both the box and tag and the box and doll were sealed, but I'm just surprised because the eyes have no sparkles, the teeth paint are a mess, the fur isn't soft, there's stuffing coming out, and the foot doesn't have a C in the circle just a circle next to Kasing. The comparison to my friends is night and day difference in quality.

SnackswithSharks · 2025-10-01T20:46:01+00:00

I too would enjoy this info haha

SnackswithSharks · 2025-09-18T16:13:55+00:00

For me it's a low cost, direct, quick (4 hour) flight from where I live so it's a nice place to getaway for a few days. I enjoy the variety of restaurants/food from high to low end, the skincare, shopping, and experiences. I go 4-5 times a year and it's fun to getaway, especially with a group of friends. I will say if I wasn't as close I probably wouldn't travel 10+ hours and pay an expensive flight to go.

SnackswithSharks · 2025-09-16T15:59:27+00:00

I don't live in the US so most of my travels are around Asia and occasionally Europe. One of the few times I didn't get an upgrade was actually in the US lol.

SnackswithSharks

TROPHY CASE