Oktoberfest Pandemic

My calendar said

I was to be in Hays Kansas 

October 1 - quick vacation! 

To eat some German Food

And generally hang out. 

I went to college there. 

And I wanted to see it again. 

Did you think we would still be

In a pandemic in 2021? 

We’re coming up to the 

2 year mark. In January 

We Nurses were on alert 

Before the gen pop. 

So no Buffalo. 

No Hays. No mothers grave. 

Not this year. 

And not next year. 

I think it’s wise to prepare for

The pandemic lasting till 2023. 

But 2023 springtime 

Watch out! 

I’ll be doing some travel assignments. 

I think the VA Hospitals

Use travel nurses. 

Which would be awesome. 

The best of both worlds. 

They usually hire Veterans 

Preferentially. 

Denver, Colorado. 

Portland, Maine. 

Anchorage, Alaska. 

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Or any tribal assignment 

In NM or Arizona. 

Flagstaff, Arizona

Portland, Oregon 

 

But first- Covefe!

My ex loved to plan. 

And plan she did! 

She had her whole education 

Mapped out before she started. 

She got off to a false start

And audited the classes she needed. 

Until she walked the stage 

Wearing her tam o’ shanter- PhD! 

Me- I just kinda go and make the best of it. 

Which is odd, because I’m a freaky

Micromanager in every other area. 

When I travel, I have the trip

Laid out to the hour. 

With food choices all made in advance. 

And now, nursing is exploding! 

I’m not crazy about working in a Hot Zone. 

If I were 30 - definitely!

I already had Covid and 

I sure don’t want to get it again. 

Not for any dollar amount. 

Plus- I feel a mass exodus is coming. 

Nurses are burned out

And leaving by the droves. 

I came in to nursing in 1990

During a mass exodus of staff - 

Related to the AIDS Crisis. 

Nurses said the same thing then

As they do now. 

Not enough is known

And not enough is being done. 

So I had cart blanche  choice

Of where I wanted to work. 

I’m just now healed enough 

To combine my love for travel

With my love for nursing. 

But first- a plan. 

I could get certified in hospice

To make sure I’m 100% 

Marketable. And in demand. 

And also first

Get in top shape! 

I have 18 months 

So I can do this! 

Miss Ernestine Shepherd 

Started body building at 56

When she had trouble

Getting in her swimsuit. 

And look at her now 

In her 80s! 

So- If 60 really is the new 40

Then keep your eye on me!