Could an RN please help me?

YellowFinchFan · Jan 29, 2008

I am in a "Guidance for Nursing Majors" course in college, and one of our assignments is to interview an RN. There are 5 simple questions that I need answered. If someone could please take the time to answer them, I would really appreciate it. Thank you.
1.) What brought you into the field of nursing?
This was a 2nd career choice - I was mostly inspired to become a nurse because of the wonderful nurses I encountered when family members were hospitalized and one special hospice nurse we encountered.
2.) What keeps you in the field of nursing?
The flexibility in shift work with a family - 12 hour shifts - working only 3 days a week and the $$$.
3.) What do you recognize as the greatest rewards/challenges in the profession of nursing?
greatest rewards = when a patient or family member tells me I'm the best nurse they ever had or I truely make a difference in a patient's care and also caring for the family.
greatest challenge - the stress and it's personal toll, the great responsibility of the job, poor staffing.
4.) What changes would you like to see in the profession of nursing?
better recognition which translates to increased salaries which could encourage more people to become nurses.
Also regulated nurse patient ratios that are safe!
5.) What advice can you offer a student entering nursing school and the profession of nursing?
get experience if you can while in nursing school - as a CNA, and EMT, a unit secretary - something related to the field you are going in - most of the nursing students I worked with who were the most successful in clinicals had some experience in the above areas.
for a nurse just entering the profession...give yourself time - it takes a year at least till you feel somewhat comfortable in your role, you can't know everything, you will learn something new everyday (good and bad) - it can be the worst job you ever have and it can be the best job you can ever do.

sasha1224 · Jan 29, 2008

I am in a "Guidance for Nursing Majors" course in college, and one of our assignments is to interview an RN. There are 5 simple questions that I need answered. If someone could please take the time to answer them, I would really appreciate it. Thank you.
1.) What brought you into the field of nursing?
i liked babies and wanted to work with them. This is what made me consider the field when I knew I needed a career that had decent pay an job security. At the time, I was a new young mother (under 20) and newly married(was making sure I had a skill that would support the family of just me and baby if needed). Ironically, I didn't get to neonatal until after 10 years in the field!)
2.) What keeps you in the field of nursing?
frankly, pay. schedule and job security. And the fact that my degree doesn't qualify me for anything else. Don't get me wrong, there are days i like what I am doing and feel I make a difference in a patients life, but mostly if feels like I am just trying to get sh** on paper to make TPTB happy.
3.) What do you recognize as the greatest rewards/challenges in the profession of nursing?
Rewards-seeing a patient improve, get back to their previous life, go on living despite dire predictions, prove us(medicine) wrong with there recovery. i love to see these people walk out (or "stroll") and lead normal or near normal lives.
Challenges-dealing with managements constantly changing demands. the every changing documentation. short staffing. apathetic coworkers. increasingly over-demanding patients with riduculous demands.
4.) What changes would you like to see in the profession of nursing?
That we are actually valued, not just an expense. Reasonable pt load to take care of the needs of the pt(and if "Hilton" minded PTB want extras from us they need to staff that way!) Enough ancillary staff to help so I can be a NURSE, not dietary and housekeeping and pharmacy and a tech also.
5.) What advice can you offer a student entering nursing school and the profession of nursing?
This is physically and mentally demanding. You will feel sh** on. Management doesn't see you as "professional" but as a liability in terms of cost. (how few nurses can I get away with staffing/hiring to keep the bottom line down). You should EXPECT to work off shifts and weekends. You may get lucky and find a straight day shift and/or no weekends but not always. you should know this going in, not just think/hope you won't have to do these shifts.
If I could do it over would I have avoided nursing? Yes and No. i enjoy the difference I can make, the flexibilty and pay, but sometimes this doesn't offset all the other crap that goes on. BE INfORMED.

Nursebarebari · Jan 29, 2008

1- What brought you into nursing?

Ans. My mom was a CNA and I took her advise to go into nursing.

2- What keeps you in the field of nursing?

Ans-The happy faces of pts and their family when pts condition improved due my nsg intervention and the thank you's, the challenge of learning something new daily, the financial reward, the shift flexibilty, and the many different avenues of nursing are the few of the whys I remain in nursing.

3- What do you recognize as the greatest reward/challenges in the profession of nursing?

Ans- My greatest reward is improvement in pt condition, greatest challenge is satisfying/pleasing pt's family.

4- What changes would you like to see in the profession of nursing?

Autonomy, better image, less stress, less pt/nurse ratio, better salary/benefits.

5- Start at the bottom level, I was a CNA, then LPN, then RN with AAS, before BSN. It was much easier transition for me and my friends that started that way. Be ready to continue learning as a nurse, remember nursing is very stressful but doable; and don't be hard on yourself.

BlueRidgeHomeRN · Jan 29, 2008

:nurse:

i am in a "guidance for nursing majors" course in college, and one of our assignments is to interview an rn. there are 5 simple questions that i need answered. if someone could please take the time to answer them, i would really appreciate it. thank you.
1.) what brought you into the field of nursing?
i joke that i became a nurse because i was tired of being asked if i was one. as an army wife with two young sons, i found out that if the clinic doctors heard "the baby has a fever and is rubbing his ears" i would be told it was a virus and sent home with tylenol. so i read a lot and was able to say "he's febrile and has a history of otitis" and get my poor kid the correct treatment. in addition, i love science, love talking to people, and love being in a profession that has so much flexibility as well as a guarentee of employment.
2.) what keeps you in the field of nursing? direct patient contact and constant learning.
3.) what do you recognize as the greatest rewards/challenges in the profession of nursing? the greatest challenge is recruiting new, younger nurses into the field; the greatest reward is personal fullfillment as well as economic security.
4.) what changes would you like to see in the profession of nursing?
besides better pay and staffing levels???
5.) what advice can you offer a student entering nursing school and the profession of nursing?

"all the memorizing is just the apprentice part of your journey. once you have these tools, you can learn to apply them to problem solve and serve the health needs of each patient....and don't be discouraged by the occaisional nasty staff nurse--we're glad to have you join us."

khuship · Jan 29, 2008

(occupation: pre-nursing student):igtsyt:

1.) what brought you into the field of nursing?

ans. i always wanted to be in the kind of field where i can be helpful to the people. mother teresa's life has inspired me a lot to be in nursing field. my family also has supportd me on my decision to go for nursing career.

2.) what keeps you in the field of nursing?

ans. i am a human and so others. i believe i should have enough understanding and ability to help my patients and be with them at their down times just to make them stronger enough with the faith that everything will be all right. at last, i would mention on my payment.

3.) what do you recognize as the greatest rewards/challenges in the profession of nursing?

ans. friendly and helpful enough staff. work with doctors, not under them. enough time for work and family both.

4.) what changes would you like to see in the profession of nursing?

ans. my image after becoming a good nurse.

5.) what advice can you offer a student entering nursing school and the profession of nursing?

ans. nursing is a good career. we need million of nurses in coming years so there will not be anything to worry about getting job after becoming a nurse. if you really like to help others, nursing is for you.

RNSROC · Jan 31, 2008

1.) what brought you into the field of nursing?

sounds cheezy, but i always wanted to be a nurse. i came from a family of nurses. i tried to avoid it, until i got tired of doing desktop troubleshooting and sitting behind a desk 5 days a week. i always loved helping people. i got laid off from that position and seen it as an opportunity to start being what i wanted to be.

2.) what keeps you in the field of nursing?

the days that i can see a smile from someone who was really sick and getting better. the days i hear someone say "thank you for your help"(coworker or anyone). or just knowing i'm apart of a circle...that saves lives or brings one to peace with dignity.

3.) what do you recognize as the greatest rewards/challenges in the profession of nursing?

my rewards are in q#2. personalities are a challenge. your dealing with your peers, patients, their families and doctors, interns etc. i always considered myself to be a people person but before nursing, i don't think i was ever so assertive or agressive with getting what i need from someone. whether it be a boost, med or physical therapy.

4.) what changes would you like to see in the profession of nursing?

i'd like for nurses to "stop eating their young". start teaching each other, praising, and stop gossiping about each other. i'd like to see us unite. lol. i can hope. really i'd like to see more hospitals support higher learning and worry more about acheiving excellent care than their excellent census.

5.) what advice can you offer a student entering nursing school and the profession of nursing?

it's not going to be easy. i remember my first bedpan in school. i think it took me a good 20 mins to clean that person up. lol.

focus on you. its okay to study with your classmates, but don't make that your only study time. people called me stuck up through school, because i was quiet wouldn't study with my group all the time, but they were surprised to see me graduate with honors.

somedays you will laugh and say "this is what i went to school for" and some days you'll walk out of work, with a confidence and feel so good about what you do.