APRN Student needing interview answers

Hello all. I am currently a travel nurse in the operating room, and because of this, I have zero connections with APRNs. I generally work with residents, doctors, and PAs. I plan to work in the ICU after my contract is finished, but I have an assignment for my first semester of NP school and need some help. I am supposed to interview an APRN! If anyone would be willing to answer a few questions and share some knowledge that would be wonderful!

Things you were not prepared for

An ethical issue that has come about during your time practicing

Performance assessment

Any recommendations

 

Thank you in advance!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN, CNS]

I'll give it a try:

Things you were not prepared for

      I am a nephrology APRN for 16 years and had NO nephrology experience. I was provided with a very solid orientation combining both clinical as well as didactic experiences. Solid orientation is a must.

An ethical issue that has come about during your time practicing

      I frequently deal with end of life decisions. For me, these are sometimes very difficult. For instance, many people who have end stage renal failure tell me "well I guess I have to do dialysis now." However, dialysis is not a benign process - its extremely taxing and does not make patients "feel normal." I recently had an elderly man with ESRD, dementia who's dementia had advanced to the point where he had lost 24 lbs in 4 weeks. His wife was conflicted as to whether he should be a DNR. I spoke to her for several days just getting to know her and her husband better, what they used to do and their general outlook on life. At the end of the week, she willingly signed the DNR form and he died peacefully in his sleep within 48 hours. 

Performance assessment

        Unsure what this means? I am guessing it means how my performance is assessed? I actually just had my annual review and received the highest rating. I am judged on overall attitude, communication skills, production goals, cooperation among myself, co-workers, others that I interact with on a daily basis

Any recommendation

       Negotiate a solid orientation for sure

[hayleyrank13]

Thank you so much for your answers. Ensuring I have a solid orientation is something I would not have possibly thought about. It gives me great encouragement that you were able to be successful in your specialty even with no nephrology experience prior. I really appreciate you answering my questions!

[Numenor]

On 6/26/2022 at 6:23 PM, hayleyrank13 said:

Thank you so much for your answers. Ensuring I have a solid orientation is something I would not have possibly thought about. It gives me great encouragement that you were able to be successful in your specialty even with no nephrology experience prior. I really appreciate you answering my questions!

Don't rely on an orientation which are often half-assed, do a residency if you can. I had to move but totally worth it. No way I could have worked acute care w/o it