Help! I need to interview an RN

If you p.m. me with these questions I will be happy to give it my best shot.

1/ Most important role is as Patient Advocate, whether it be in being proactive in addressing their health concerns, such as changes in status, monitoring vitals, or communicating orders with MDs and pharmacy. Also important is the patients emotional well being, and being sensitive to their needs, requires a bit of intuition, people will not always tell you how they feel, but you can see the signs if you are paying attention. Also applies to family. Communication skills and reading between the lines to find the reason why a person behaves the way they do is very important.

2/Not really, although I thought I would be more respected by my co-workers, other disciplines etc.

3/Started out as an Undergrad in LTC, and psychiatry, moved into rural hospital nursing, then back to LTC in a different facility. Have also worked on a psychogeriatric unit for diagnosis and treatment of newly diagnosed dementias, as well as acute care of the elderly (who may be dementia patients as well). Now work in multi use facility with severely disabled clients and a 4 bed community support ward (palliative, respite, convalesence and infirmary). We get patients that are post acute but not ready to go home yet, LTC waiting placement, as well as palliative care.

4/All areas require a sensitivity to patient needs, and I feel a good nurse does not necessarily focus on "tasks" but sees the patient as a whole being. That means getting to know them, not medicating them to keep them calm or resorting to restrictive procedures in the name of "safety". Psychiatry and psychogeriatrics required the use of different approaches, and knowing how to diffuse and de-escalate a situation if the patient were exhibiting self harm or aggressive behaviors.

5/Patients, coworkers, family, doctors, in that order.

6/They must trust you in order to communicate effectively, and won't if they don't feel that you care about how they feel. It is important to always follow through on request for information or help, and never pass the buck.

7/ Understanding how they feel, empathy, put yourself in their shoes and see it through their eyes. Would you be afraid, unsure, angry or frustrated if you were them, if so, don't just react to their way of communicating this, but deal with whatever is behind it. I think this is sadly lacking in most cases.

Good luck!

I returned your pm. Hope it helps.