I need to interview a nurse!!

happyinmyheart · Sep 8, 2014

Just going to warn you in advance.... People on this site will just advise you to talk to a nurse in real life and not online. This site isn't to do your homework for you. You don't have to be a nurse to be a member on this website, so you also would not know if your information was coming from a nurse :) Call around your local nursing homes and hospitals. Interviewing a nurse in person will be rewarding and eye opening for you. Best of luck!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2014

1. Can you tell me the title of your job and give me a description of your job?
My official title is nursing supervisor. I supervise two patient care floors at a small specialty hospital. I oversee a team of anywhere from four to six nurses, four to six patient care technicians, and usually one unit secretary. I'll provide care to a patient load if staffing is short, but the majority of the time I do not have patients.
2. What education did you complete to get this job?
I completed a 12-month vocational nursing program in 2005, which lead to licensing as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). After a few years of working as an LVN, I completed an LPN-to-RN transition program which resulted in conferral of an associate of science (ASN) degree in nursing in 2010. I have been licensed as an RN since 2010.

3. What do you enjoy most about your career?
I enjoy the flexible scheduling and the steady paycheck. Having four days off per week suits me better than working five days per week in a row.
4. If you could change anything about your career what would you change?
I would minimize the number of interactions I have with patients, families and coworkers. I am an introvert who does not particularly enjoy meeting new people, so nursing is not particularly suited to my personality type. In summary, I'm not the type of person who needs to "feel needed" by others.
5. What characteristics do you think are important for someone in this career?
I think honesty, tact, sensibility, an even temper, realism, integrity, intellectual curiosity, and attention to detail are characteristics that should be a part of a nurse's repertoire.
6. What are the continuing education requirements for your career?
I live in Texas, a state that requires 20 continuing education units (CEUs) to be completed every two years. I am also licensed in California, a state that requires completion of 30 CEUs every two years.
7. How many hours do you usually work?
I work three 12-hour night shifts per week, which amounts to 36 hours a week. However, I receive pay for 40 hours weekly.
8. How many other healthcare professionals do you interact with on a daily basis?
I interact with no other healthcare professionals on my days off. When I am at work, I might interact with anywhere from eight to fifteen healthcare workers per shift, depending on patient census.
9. Are there any advanced placement opportunities in this field?
Yes. There are opportunities to climb the clinical ladder, become certified or move into upper management, but I really do not want that.

10. Other interesting facts about your career?
Not really. I have a factory worker mentality when dealing with this job. It is just a means to an end for me and nothing more, nothing less.

Here you go!

erock1star · Sep 8, 2014

Thank you SO much!! Being a nursing supervisor is an option I hadn't thought about before.