I need to interview an RN with at least 5 years experience

Great topic, and a great opportunity to write an actual article looking at the bigger picture.

Do this one right and you can set yourself apart: "leadership" classes in a BSN (or greater) program, tend to focus on dealing with staff as they transition through and accept change handed down from on high.

What about finding a different perspective? Take it a step outside the box. Find an RN to interview that bucked the system/management/change and prevailed, or did not prevail, and why.

1). In the last 5 years we have gone from paper charting, to computer charting, from paper MAR to electronic... and every pill we give has to be scanned like we work at Wal Mart. Well I actually like that helps prevent medication errors.

2). No one likes change. There were a lot of issues, complaints, and a lot of I am turning in my two weeks notice, however, after a couple of weeks after we went live, THEY LOVE the new programs because it takes less time to chart now.

3). Big hospitals, Nurses talk. I think that is the only way a lot of the information is passed is via the grapevine than from administration.

4). with paper charting, we were told there were way to many people interjecting their opinion about things instead of the facts. And with the electronic MARs they have saved a lot of medication errors is what I was told.

5). No it didn't change my role or any other roles

6). since I work in the ICU yes, we had a little say in how the changes were done because the programs that they had did not have Charting for say, 15 min vitals, or for post procedures... Hard to chart pulses after a cath procedure when there isn't a place to chart it...

7). I like computers and technology. I think it was great. saves me time, and I love when I get a new patient... that I can look up a year or two in the past online and I don't have to worry with Medical Records and wait and wait for that chart that I need that I might get next week If I am lucky :0)

8). I couldn't imagine life without the changes and computers now. I don't know if I remember how to paper chart (kidding)

9). it's been years now since we changed the way we chart and give medications... I like it... but I love change, and trying new things.... the bulk of my job is still the same. I still provide healthcare to my patients... I still assess... ABC...

10). It's healthcare.... it's all about change... and learning everyday... if you aren't learning something everyday and stay stagnant you need to move onto another job... I know every time I go to work something else has changed. A New drug a new procedure a new way of doing things.. a new doctor...

:) Hope that helps

I will take your advice into consideration when writing the paper. Thank you

Thank you so much :yelclap: I found your responses really interesting and it got me thinking about how I should really appreciate electronic charting when I begin working.

Moved to the Nursing Student Assistance Forum, as more appropriate forum for these types of requests :)

with respect, i recommend that you interview a live nurse face-to-face. part of your faculty's reason for giving you this assignment is to get you to go out there and speak to an rn face to face. a big email blast is not a substitute for shoe leather. an is not google.

see, in nursing, you have to learn to speak to a lot of people you would not otherwise encounter; you might find yourself out of your comfort zone. this is part of nursing, a huge part. an anonymous respondent online, well, you don't really know who we are, do you? we could be the truck-driving guy living next door for all you know.

so if all you do about learning new things is "go to the keyboard and hit send," then you are limiting your chances of actual learning a valuable skill you will need all your working life.

that said: where will you find a nurse? think outside the (computer) box.

local hospital: go to the staff development/inservice education office and ask one of them. they value education and will be happy to chat or to hook you up with someone who is.

go to the public health department downtown. ditto.

go to the local school and ask to speak to a school nurse. ditto.

go to a local clinic / physician/np office. ditto.

go to the local jail and ask to speak to the nurse there. ditto.

notice all of these say, "go to..." and not "email..." remember that part about meeting new people face to face and comfort zone.

go!

The interview is a small part of this assignment. My group has to write how WE would plan change. The interview is just to get a view of some changes in the hospital and RNMH was very helpful with her/his response. I honestly don't have time going to a hospital and disturb a nurse during her working hours. Regardless thank you for the advice