Nursing Informational Interview

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Hello There Everyone!

I have been instructed to conduct three informational interviews with nurses in different departments before I can begin nursing school this summer. I did see that someone has asked similar questions on here back in 2008, so I am reposting because I am curious if anything has changed since then.

If possible, I would like to have one nurse from different departments provide answers to the below questions. Preferably, ICU, ER/Trauma and Pediatrics. If a nurse from a department outside of these would like to answer as well, that's perfectly fine! Any answers will certainly be appreciated by me!

I know everyone is busy, so I thank you in advance to anyone who is willing to take the time to answer these questions to help me reach the next step!

Thanks so much!

Jadon

________________________________________________________

Name of Interviewee:

Job Title & Department:

Employer:

1. What do you like best about your job?

2. What do you like least about your job?

3. How physical is the job?

4. Do you feel valued?

5. How does working in the field differ from what you learned in school?

6. How stressful is the job and what makes it stressful?

7. If you quit today and moved to another area, how difficult would it be for you to find a similar job?

8. What do you actually do most of the day? How do you spend your time?

9. What are the opportunities for advancement?

10. What does the job pay? How do you get raises?

11. Are the benefits good? Is there a retirement plan? Annual PTO?

12. What kind of training, education, and experience would you recommend to get into this field?

13. How stable is your job? Is it seasonal? Are layoffs expected?

14. What hours and days do you work? Do you have to spend time working outside of these hours? (Preparation, maintenance of equipment, overtime, union meetings, volunteer work)

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Hi! Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

We get these requests...a lot. I believe these assignments are made to make nursing students get out of their comfort zones and do a face to face interview with a complete stranger.

These assignments are made this way on purpose. Nursing is not like many other disciplines...having face to face interviews with complete strangers asking them uncomfortable information is called the admission assessment. These assessments cannot be completed on line and are as important as learning to take a blood pressure or start and IV. There is much that can be learned about someone by watching the other persons (the patient) body language. I feel in the ever increasing keyboard world many are losing the ability to know how to read body ques which makes this an even greater importance for new students entering the field.

I STRONGLY encourage you NOT to use any of the information from the 2008 post as MUCH has changed.

I suggest.....call the nursing department and see if they will set up and interview for you. Check with your local schools and make and appointment with the school nurse. Call the Red Cross and ask to speak to the nurses. Call your local senior center and ask if they have a nurse you can talk to. Go to the CVS and other drug stores or the urgent cares and speak to the Nurse Practioners. Check with your city free clinic or elder health services or the board of health. There are many way to find a nurse that is not on the internet.

You will get out of your nursing education what you put into it. Always try to be the best you and the best nurse you can be......Peoples lives depend on it.

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Hello Esme,

Thanks for the warm welcoming! Also, thank you kindly for your response to my post. I am in a bit of a time crunch, hence me posting these online and not traveling to different facilities in order to have a face to face interview. I do believe that is the best way, however, I do not have that as an option at this point, as I need to report my findings to the VA in order to lock in my enrollment this summer.

I agree with you on the keyboard comment, which does indeed take away ones natural ability to notice those types of cues in regards to body language. I was a Rescue Swimmer in the U.S. Coast Guard, so everything you've said, I know all too well.

Thanks again for your response. Hoping someone will be willing to answer these questions online so I can move forward.

Jadon

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

While I understand your time crunch...how are you sure who answers your question is really a nurse. You can call some of the places I suggested and at least do it by phone.

You will get out of nursing only what you are willing to put into it.

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I don't even know if you're a real nurse, so I suppose you're right. How does anyone on here know their questions are answered by trusted sources then?

I completed the interviews early this morning by phone since no one responded. Thanks.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I don't even know if you're a real nurse, so I suppose you're right. How does anyone on here know their questions are answered by trusted sources then?

I completed the interviews early this morning by phone since no one responded. Thanks.

You are right...however as an administrator of the site you are pretty much guaranteed I am a nurse. I am glad you did them by phone...it was the right thing to do.

AN's purpose is to promote a supportive community that raises and supports the nursing profession to be the best it can be.

Show us you are putting in the effort by showing your work and we will jump right on.

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