Looking for experienced registered nurse

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2009

Need to know an interview for one of my classes, 6 questions is all I need from you. Here they are:
Okay first I need just some basic background information, like how long have you been a nurse, where did you get your degree, what department do you work in, and maybe an area you desire to work in.
1. How do you see the roles and responsibilities of the registered nurse changing in practice?
2. Please describe one example of an ethical dilemma you have faced in practice.
3. How do you maintain your practice expertise?
4. How do you deal with conflicts with members of the healthcare team? (other nurses, physicians, etc.)
5. What motivates and rewards you in your career?

Hi. I've been a nurse for 2 years. I got my Associate's Degree from a community college. I work in the Emergency Department, but spent my first 2 years in Cardiac. I'd like to do flight nursing some day, cause I loooove helicopters!

1. I think people are living longer with chronic progressive illnesses, and people that would have been in the ICU 20 years ago are now in the regular inpatient unit. This requires nurses to have a greater knowledge base, and to be prepared to respond quickly in the event of a change in condition.

2. I had a doctor's order to obtain consent for an invasive procedure for a demented patient. Since I didn't think the patient understood the situation, I did not obtain his consent, and documented this in the patient's chart. The patient's family member, who did not have MPOA, ended up signing for the patient, and the doctor witnessed.

3. I read nursing journals, read books, etc.

4. I explain the rationales that I operate under when questioned about why I did this or that, but I never make excuses for myself. I take responsibility for my own actions, and ask "How can I make this better?".

5. What motivates me in my career is wanting to give back to my community and to challenge myself to be better at what I do.

diane227, LPN, RN · Oct 21, 2009

1. Nurses have more responsibility and autonomy than ever. As we get younger physicians, I find that it is easier to have a team work approach that with some of the older doctors. I am a very assertive person and would say that I have reached the level in nurse were I am considered a specialist in my area. This way I can team build with all, other staff, physicians, administration etc and feel on a equal level.

2. Ethical dilemma: I had a nurse that was accused of sexually assaulting a patient. I had never had any problems with this nurse and he had never had any complaints of this nature. The issue went to court and I testified on his behalf even though something down deep in my heart told me it was true. But I had no facts to base it on. He was found to be not guilty. About 6 months later he was accused of the same thing and we fired him. I then knew my suspicions were correct and I felt great guilt over not assisting the first victim.

3. I read a lot, I keep up with my credentials and when I see something new that I am not familiar with I look it up as soon as possible. Thank God for the internet.

4. I am lucky that I have a cohesive team but when I have a problem I try to deal with it up front in a non confrontational way. But if the problem continues, I either address it more strongly, or write up the incident and forward it to Mary my director. Physician issues that cannot be resolved are forwarded to the chief of staff.

5. We have fun at work and I like all the people I work with. It is busy so the time goes fast. We have a good manager and we have time to have a lot of interaction with our patients. I am semi retired and make great money where I live. My manager has my back and she leaves me along to run my shift. This will be the last job that I have at the end of my career. I am 54 and plan to work until I am 70.