Leaving Kansas was something that I had begun to get used to. After spending four years in Illinois, I went back to Overland Park to begin my nursing journey. While I loved spending time close to family and close to those amazing Kansas sunsets, I was ready to see more of this country. Corpus Christi was never on my map of places to visit, but once I heard of the opportunity I thought it would be a perfect place to start. Going from a land-locked state to a coastal paradise? Sign me up. Not only would I be able to experience a beach-y community, but I would be able to learn new things with my nursing. New terrain does ensure new types of injuries and lifestyles. So, I accepted the position and drove 13 hours down south.

Since arriving in Corpus, everyone I’ve encountered has been nice, hospitable, and inviting - something I’m not entirely used to. While Kansas is a friendly place to be, there is just something different about southern hospitality. Even interacting with patients has been a new experience. Almost every patient I’ve talked with has been appreciative of my care. While working in an emergency department I understand the frustration of patients and families. Labs and imaging always seem to take too long, medications seem to never get passed on time, and everyone in the room is stressed. With COVID only adding to the stress of family members, it really is difficult to communicate effectively and efficiently with patients and families. However, the amount of times I have been verbally abused by patients is probably more than I’d like to say. Don’t get me wrong, I empathize with everyone, but that still doesn’t mean I need an earful when something occurs unexpectedly. That being said, almost every patient I have taken care of here in Corpus has been nice and understanding. They are not in a rush to get things done, but instead want to understand why they feel bad. Needless to say it’s been a refreshing change.
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Aside from transitioning on a professional level, the environmental change has been a whirlwind to say the least. From moving in to my new place, meeting some interesting roomies, and figuring out how to survive a day on the beach with my pasty skin, it has been an exciting transitional period. So far, I’ve decided that coastal life fits my personality. From the beaches to the city there is a laid back vibe everywhere you look. Families out at the park or beach, young people flocking to seaside restaurants and bars, and with a plethora of activities for anyone to enjoy, Corpus Christi really is a fun place to be. So far I’ve spend almost everyday on North Padre Island soaking up the sun and finding seafood to eat. I continually talk about the beach, but that is where I find myself wanting to go everyday. I love getting there early, setting up camp, and hanging out until I get hungry. As I get further into my time here I will branch out and do some new things, but right now I’m fine with simply relaxing in the sand.

I know there are more adventures to come and places to see, especially since I still have 10 more weeks here, but so far I am loving it. We’ll see what is to come and what crazy things I can get myself into, either way I’ll keep ya’ll updated. Until then, stay in touch, stay in mind, and try to stay out of trouble.

Scuttlebutts
Scuttlebutts is a classic beach-side twist to what would typically be bar food. Mike and I went there during their happy hour, which is 3-7 on a daily basis. The happy hour might be one of the best happy hours I’ve been to. Margaritas for 4 bucks, wells for 3, and anything you could possibly want during a happy hour is 1/2 priced. We went with the oysters and sushi rolls (1/2 priced might I remind you). While I enjoy oysters sometimes, I can only eat so many. Mike on the other hand almost licked the plate. Needless to say, everything was fresh and delightful. Definitely recommended - but mainly just for their happy hour.

Bar food/ full bar
Live music
Kid-friendly
Takeout

Surfside Sandwich Shop
Long days at the beach require a hardy, salty sandwich… and maybe some mac and cheese. Surfside sandwich shop has just that. From sandwiches to tacos they have what you’ll crave after a beachy morning. Not to mention the sides are to die for. I had the philly with a side of slaw and Mike chose some zesty fish tacos with a side of bacon mac. While I would never admit this to him, the mac and cheese was the best thing we got. Creamy, salty, cheesy… everything you need from a mac and cheese. While his side might have been better than mine, the philly is a must have. Three words: delicious, filling, and classic.

Kid friendly - games and more!
Outdoor seating
Takeout

Docs
If seaside seating is what you’re looking for, Docs is the place for you. With a spacious seaside doc on the bottom and deck on the top, you get the ocean breeze anywhere you sit. While seating might be minimal, the view is amazing. You’ll be able to watch boats and jet skis weave in and out of the waves. Food-wise, the seafood is always fresh and light. With regards to appetizers we tried the seafood queso. Let me just say, it did not disappoint. The cheese was creamy and addicting with chunks of shrimp and fish scattered in there as well, making a satisfying appetizer for hungry post-beach goers. Mike and I split the main course. We ended up with a perfectly cooked Mahi-Mahi. If fishing is your thing, this place also cooks what you catch. Good for families, fishers, and pretty much anyone else.

Kid-friendly
Outdoor seating
Full bar
Live music
Takeout

Laguna Reef
Laguna Reef is the first place we went to, but might be my favorite so far. Right on the water, ocean-side seating is available and recommended if you can. For an appetizer, the shrimp combo platter is what you need. Three kinds of separately prepared shrimp with three original dipping sauces for two happy campers. My favorite of the three was the coconut shrimp, but you can’t go wrong with any of them. Again, the entree was split between Mike and I. We ended up with four fried fish filets, a side of coleslaw and a side of onion rings (we were feeling the fried food that day). All of which was scrumptious. However, the shrimp is the take-home on this one.

Kid-friendly
Full bar
Outdoor seating
Takeout

​8TE
I know, weird name, but good food. There is seafood here, but I recommend the traditional American it serves. While the simple po-boy was fantastic, my egg, avocado, and bacon sandwich was superior. Served with breakfast potatoes, I was absolutely stuffed. This place was a great contrast between all of the seafood, seaside places. I believe it’s known for breakfast and burgers, but I’ve only tried the breakfast. Still a great local spot for anyone and everyone.

Kid-friendly
Takeout

Yardarm
LOVED this place. Great for a date night, but was still reasonably priced. We had to have a reservation (I think because of COVID), but there was no problem getting one. Each main entree comes with soup and salad, so unless you're super hungry there's no need for an appetizer. We sat right on the water and had such a fun time!

Kid-friendly
Reservation only
Outdoor seating
Full bar

La Palma
A Mexican place you gotta hit right before the beach! I've only had their quesadillas there, but I'm sure everything else is great. The best part about this place: to-go margaritas. Since the pandemic they've been allowing to-go margs as long as you get food as well. So, just make sure to get some of their delicious menu and then set up shop on the beach. 

Kid-friendly
Drive-through
Full bar

Rock n' Roll 
Best sushi bar I've been to in a while. Everything is super fresh and made to order. The atmosphere is all rock n' roll! You can dress up or down and either find a table or sit at the bar. The people there are all very nice and welcoming as well. You can't go wrong ordering anything here, that's for sure. 

Full bar
Reservations
Kid-friendly
Takeout

Kiko's
Kiko's is largely known in the nursing world for their boozy breakfast. If you want a margarita at 730 am, then they'll serve yuh as long as you're of age. The breakfast tacos are absolutely delicious as is the rest of their strictly Mexican menu. Once you taste their chips and salsa, you'll agree with my very good review. 

Full bar
Reservations
Kid-friendly
Takeout

Time is a funny thing to me. Some people want more of it, and some want less. Depending on the situation, I can say that I’ve consistently wished for both. Time is affluent, but doesn’t seem that way most days. I can say that in my short life of 24 years I’ve seen time speed up and slow down respectfully. I’ve seen people’s time on this earth come to an end, and people’s time on this earth just begin. Unfortunately for me, I mostly see time end. I bring up time because as a nurse, traveling or not, time is important. When a patient enters the ER with a heart attack (STEMI to be specific), the ER team has 90 minutes to get that patient to Cath lab. Within 90 minutes we are expected to start 2 large bore IV’s, get an EKG, completely undress the patient, page the Cath lab team, send blood work, and attach them to every monitor imaginable. Not to mention administer medications including aspirin, nitroglycerin, morphine, and oxygen (if needed really). 90 minutes from when that patient checks in.
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​If a stroke patient comes in, the ER team has 4 hours to administer TPA (thrombolytic therapy) from the time of their symptoms. If someone checks in 3 hours after the onset of symptoms, that time is now 1 hour to administer the medication. A medication that can ultimately evaporate all symptoms nonetheless. I say this not to scare anyone or make my job description seem cooler than it already does, but to give a perspective on the time crunch that I am constantly in. If you know me on a personal level you know that I don’t like being rushed and I don’t work well when I am stressed. In fact, in college I would have to nap if I got too stressed in order to be productive at all. These qualities may seem contradictory to an Emergency Department nurse, but I believe it makes me better at my job. I consistently think ahead so I don’t need to be stressed or rushed. Instead, the time clock seems to slow down and I am able to concentrate and get shit done (pardon my french… or get used to it). That being said, on my time off I like to take some time for a lack of better words. I take some time to appreciate the slower, less productive days and the faster paced, busier days. I take some time to appreciate the life I have and the lives I hope to change everyday. I think that if everyone self-reflected on how they spend their time, maybe we’d have a better world. Regardless, I hope that traveling will help me learn about different cultures, different places, and different ways people spend their time. Who knows? I just might learn something.