Nurse interview

icyounurse, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2008

Hey I need help with my nursing class. I have to interview a nurse with a BSN or higher. Only about 6 questions. I would really appreciate anyone helping me out. Thanks!
What made you decide to pursue nursing?
What kinds of clients do you work with?
What would you do in an average workday?
What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
What kinds of preparation or credentials does your position require?
What is of greatest value to you in your role as a professional nurse?

Hi, I have a BSN and am currently a masters student. I will try and help.

What made you decide to pursue nursing?

I wanted a practical career, and I wanted something with personal contact and a mental challenge. Nursing as all that and more.

What kinds of clients do you work with?

I work in intensive care and I care for high acuity patients who are many times intubated and on multiple vasoactive IV drips and aren't medically stable. When they become stable, I transfer patients to a stepdown/medical floor as appropriate.

What would you do in an average workday?

I work 12 hour shifts. First I get report and assess my patients, and I spend the day managing their medication schedules, scheduled lab tests and other procedures and manage the vital signs, body systems, and other needs of the critically ill patient. Then I give report and go home.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job?

Not always having the resources to properly do my job and having to "make do". A lack of resources could mean lack of staff, supplies or a doctor who wont call me back during a bad situation in the middle of the night (I work night shift).

What kinds of preparation or credentials does your position require?

I work in an ICU Pool position, which is per diem and requires an RN and at least 2-3 years of fulltime critical care experience. BSN and CCRN are preferred (I have both).

What is of greatest value to you in your role as a professional nurse?

I value my autonomy and growing body of knowledge as an ICU nurse. I learn something every single day and continue to become a better patient advocate as I feel my body of knowledge expand. I think its great that nurses never stop learning.

jamonit · Sep 17, 2008

What made you decide to pursue nursing?

I graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology and I realized I needed to go further with my education in order to get a good job--that my degree didn't open many doors. My grandfather was a small-town doctor/surgeon, my grandmother was a nurse, my aunt is a pharmacist, another aunt is a professor of nursing science, and my sister is in medical school. I think the desire to work in the medical profession is in the blood.

What kinds of clients do you work with?

I work in a progressive care unit at an education and research based hospital. We have patient's on total artifical hearts, ventricular assistive devices, ultra filtration, post-thoracotomy, valve repair, heart transplant, and CABG patients; as well as the occasional rule-out MI patients from the ED. People from all over the world elect to have their surgeries in our hospital due to our prestigious reputation.

What would you do in an average workday?

I'm a nursing preceptor so lately the average day consists of assessing my patient's with my new grad orientee, providing education for patients regarding lifestyle changes (most of the patients have congestive heart failure), charting, talking to doctors, teaching critical thinking to my orientee, and providing emotional support to patients and their families.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job?

When we have patients that have been on the floor for many months or patients that have been in and out of the hospital and they end up dying. We grow really close to our patients and their families. We have the best technology, equipment and some of the best surgeon's in the world but still sometimes all of that is not enough. It's really sad.

What kinds of preparation or credentials does your position require?

Nursing license, ACLS, critical thinking skills, keen assessment skills, and communication skills.

What is of greatest value to you in your role as a professional nurse?

Seeing the big picture. Treating the patient in a holistic fashion--teaching my patients and being taught in return. I have learned a lot about life from my patients, specifically that we only live once and there are no guarantees so live it to your fullest. :redbeathe