I would like to speak with a nurse asap

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 23, 2014

The purpose of these assignments is to get you out there talking to people. Multiple reasons exist for this:

1. You cannot verify that anyone on this site really is a nurse.

2. An interview is a back and forth exchange of information/discussion. Not really feasible in this format.

3. A face to face interview allows for flexibility in exploring answers by going off on related tangents. Not possible with this format.

4. There are many resources that you can use to find a verifiable nursing professional- your school nurse, the local public health office, your own primary care provider's office, etc.

5. By answering these questions, someone essentially does your homework for you- all that's left for you to do is copy and paste. Doesn't really seem fair/right, does it?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Sep 23, 2014

Hello, fellow nurses. I am a high school student and I am really interested in becoming a nurse, specifically a Neonatal nurse practitioner. I have a project that includes an interview and I would like to speak with a nurse. If anyone can answer these following questions asap, I would gladly appreciate it. Thank you for your time!
1. Is nursing worth it?
2. If you don't mind me asking, what is the average salary of the position?
3. What school did you attend to?
4. What was your major?
5. What classes did you have to take?
6. What are the pros/cons of being a nurse?
7. How well did the school you attended prepare you for nursing?
8. What are the benefits of nursing? (discounts, travel, etc.)
9. What is the workplace environment like?
10. What is the typical routine for a nurse?

This is an internationally read anonymous message board. How do you know the person responding is in fact a licensed nurse? There are many options for you to interview a nurse in person... The local hospital, physicians office, county health department, nurse practitioner at minute clinic, community health clinic...

allnurses Guide · Sep 23, 2014

Ask your parents if they know a nurse. Call a local hospital, ask to speak with the nursing supervisor, and see if she will get you some names and numbers to call. Ask your school if there is a school nurse assigned to your school, and go interview her (some schools share nurses, so you'd need to find out which days she/he is at your school). Call the county health office and ask to speak to a public health nurse. Not many doctors offices hire actual nurses these days, but you can try calling your family doctor's office; although lots of nurse practitioners work in doctor's offices.

roser13, ASN, RN · Sep 23, 2014

Thanks for asking, but none of us can really fulfill the goal of your assignment, which is to conduct an interview with a nurse.

1). Lots of responders here aren't actually nurses.

2). Interviews in person involve a conversational give and take that is not possible online.

I'm afraid that we will not be the answer to your homework assignment.

SDALPN · Sep 23, 2014

Just a thought, but how would they be sure they were talking to a nurse without verifying their license? The OP could go to her Dr office and ask for a nurse and then get a medical assistant. People lie in person too.

allnurses Guide · Sep 23, 2014

True, which is why I warned that few offices actually hire nurses; and the interview questions would show that (no degree etc.)

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2014

I am more forgiving of high school students...having a senior in high school and a freshman in college. Some high school students are in the 9th grade and 13 years old.

It is best if you talk to someone face to face for that is what an interview really is...a face to face conversation. To speak with someone is not typed word on the internet. However....not all high school students drive.

1. Is nursing worth it?

Worth it....that depends on what you mean by "worth it". Nursing is a difficult job. It is not sunshine and rainbows. You are responsible for everything but have very little control over anything. You will deal with people at their best and at their worst. Neonatal nurse practitioner sounds like a great place to work with babies.....however it can be a very difficult and challenging specialty. Babies do die. They are born early and ill. Their little lives are fragile. Being a Neonatal nurse practitioner is ore than taking care of cute babies.

Nursing today is very competitive. Start now. Make good grades. Take All of the science courses you can. You will need 2 preferably 3 years of a language. 3 preferably 4 years of math including physics and advanced algebra and statistics. Take your SAT early and often for the best combined score.

2. If you don't mind me asking, what is the average salary of the position? Average salary varies widely in nursing according to where you live. SO nurse in San Francisco might make $50.00/hr...the average home home is $800,000.00. Where as if you live in Indiana in a suburb you might make $28.00/hr the average home is $110,000.00. Here is a great thread https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/nursing-salary-survey-895587.html

3. What school did you attend to?

I attended a traditional 4 year college and graduated with an associate degree in nursing in two years (it was 35 years ago). There are three entry level programs to become a nurse. Look these up on Google. Diploma, Associate degree and Bachelor of science/nursing.

4. What was your major?

In high school take a college prep focus your adviser/guidance counselor can help you. Take honors as they count for more on your GPA. Be active in your school join HOSA if your school has it available as a club. Start thinking about your volunteer opportunities. Admissions for New Undergraduate Students

To be a nurse you major in nursing.

Diploma: Academic Programs | St. Elizabeth School of Nursing

ADN/ASN: Nursing program at MWCC Associate degree

BSN: http://www.purdue.edu/hhs/codo/documents/four_year_plans/NUR_FYP.pdf

5. What classes did you have to take?

Nursing today is very competitive. Start now. Make good grades. Take All of the science courses you can. You will need 2 preferably 3 years of a language. 3 preferably 4 years of math including physics and advanced algebra and statistics. Take your SAT early and often for the best combined score.

6. What are the pros/cons of being a nurse?

Pros: I love being a nurse. I like dealing with the unpredictable public. I specialized in critical care. I like the shift work. I have never paid for child care.

cons: Long hours. You work holidays nights and weekends. You deal with the general public.

There is no longer a nursing shortage. Many nursing who graduate now have trouble finding a job. Many hospitals are only hiring BSN graduates.

7. How well did the school you attended prepare you for nursing?

Nursing school does not really prepare you to be a nurse. It prepares you to be safe and then learn as you go. When you graduate you must pass a licensing exam that is called the NCLEX. Without this license you cannot be a nurse.

8. What are the benefits of nursing? (discounts, travel, etc.)

Being a nurse can give you many many opportunities once you have a couple of years experience under your belt. Explore the forum and read all about the pros and cons of being a nurse. Discounts? none.

9. What is the workplace environment like?

Like anything else you will find good and bad people/co-workers anywhere you go.

10. What is the typical routine for a nurse?

You take care of patients. You give baths and empty bedpans. You will clean up patients who go to the bathroom in the bed or throw up on the floor themselves or you. You ahve tons of paper work. You interpret lab work and call the MD. You pass meds. You comfort and educate your patients...you take them to tests admit them to the floor, discharge them home and care for them when they die. You will do most if not all of this in one 12 hour shift. It's a tough job.

It is a great career...if you're strong enough.

MeiLana · Sep 24, 2014

Thank you for being kind, Esme12 -- I also have a young high schooler.

Mei