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As I entered the main building’s automatic doors, there was a huge desk with an older woman behind it. It was mostly quiet, the dull sounds of the closed-circuit TV played information about the hospital and a few staff members swiftly walked through, most holding to-go coffee cups.
I approached the large desk and the woman smiled. “Can I help you?” she asked with a warm smile.
“First day. Can you tell me where to find HR?”
She pulled a sheet of paper from a tray on her desk and circled something, then passed it to me as she stood. She leaned toward me and jabbed at the paper with the pen. “We are here,” she said as she traced the lines on the halls. “You go through here, turn here, then this is it.”
I smiled and took the paper. “Thanks for this, ma’am. Enjoy your day.”
Her cheeks pinkened. “So polite. Have a great first day.”
“Mike.”
“Welcome, Mike. I’m Judy. Better hustle. Dottie is a stickler on attendance.”
I smiled once more then took long strides down the corridor and followed Judy’s instruction. After walking nearly ten minutes, I finally found the door to the Human Resources area. Once inside, I was greeted with another smiling face. This time a younger woman with long black hair and dark brown eyes. “Good morning, may I help you?” I detected an accent but couldn’t place it.
“Good morning. I’m Mike Jones. First day.”
“Hello and welcome. Dottie told me to expect you.” She typed a few things on the computer. “Looks like we have your paperwork on file so we can get you to the desk for your orientation films. Follow me.”
The woman stood and I followed as we weaved through cubicles.
“Here we go. Did you get your login info when you sent your paperwork in?”
I nodded as I sat my lunch down. “I did,” I said as I leaned to see her name badge, “Clarita. Beautiful name.”
“Thank you. My parents are from Puerto Rico. I hated it as a kid growing up here, but it grew on me.” She seemed to make it obvious there was a ring on her finger as she tucked hair behind her ear. “Well, if you need anything, you know where to find me. Oh, you can take a few breaks to stretch your legs and lunch is usually based on your shift, but in here, you can have half an hour whenever. Just log out when you do.”
I fought to not roll my eyes at her waving her ring at me. I was just trying to learn her name since she didn’t offer it. “Thanks. I’m good. Will I see Dottie today?”
She shook her head. “Probably not, she gets folks in then the rest is on her staff. But her office is down that way in case you ever need to know. And you should have her email and phone number from your onboarding email. I need to get back to my desk. Good luck.”
Even though she made it a point to make sure I knew she was married, she sure did take a long look before she left. Grumbling, I pulled the chair out and logged in. The computer sent a welcome screen with the hospital logo and then prompted to click the arrow flashing on the screen to get started. It was just at seven a.m. so I clicked the arrow and started what surely would be the longest day ever.
***
Several hours later, I was fighting to keep my eyes open as I clicked through the orientation videos and training. I had eaten a granola bar earlier and decided to have my lunch. It didn’t take long to scarf down the sandwiches and chips and I needed some caffeine. I put my trash back in my lunch bag to discard once I got home; never good to leave food trash anywhere but the kitchen or cafeteria areas. Standing, I stretched my back and twisted my waist, then looked around to get my bearings. Once I remembered how I came in, I headed to the front.
“Excuse me, Clarita.” Once she glanced up, I continued. “Is there a break room with coffee?”
She smirked. “Umm, we have the cafe where you can buy coffee. And there may be a coffee trolley near one of the main entrances.”
I smiled back. I wouldn’t have to see her many more times, and as the new guy, I wasn’t about to give anyone a reason to say anything about me. “Sure thing. I’ll go grab my map.”
She smiled, not offering to direct me where the cafe was, so I went back to grab the map from my desk and made sure my wallet was still in my pocket.
Once I found the cafe, I sighed. There was a huge line to the coffee shop.
“There’s a coffee trolley just around the corner down the hall,” a soft voice said behind me.
Turning, I grinned down at the petite woman. She was striking. Rich dark skin, short twists in her hair, and hazel eyes. Her full lips were glossy and smiling up at me. She also was about a foot shorter than me, and she was donning pink scrubs. “Thanks. Is it that obvious I’m new?”
She waved me off then stuck her hand out. “Most NPs who are on shift wear their scopes and you have your badge around your neck. I’m Nikki.”
I shook her tiny hand. “Mike. Nice to meet you. You got me. But how am I supposed to wear my badge?”
Chuckling, she replied, “Clipped to your lab coat, usually. I never see anyone wear the lanyard.”
