Please help with an interview with a LPN

hi, my name is tea and i am a pre-nursing student. i need help! would someone please help and answer some interview questions for a project i have for my intro to nursing class?

1. what is your name and credentials? lee, lpn
   
2. number of years in practice/places practiced (nursing homes, hospitals, etc.) 20 years experience. cna for 14years, lpn for 7. snf rehab unit, hospital setting med-surg
   
3. education completed, both formal and informal 2 years university~ general, 2 years tech for nursing cna, then lpn program. also have degree in early childhood.
   
4. current job setting (describe services and clients served) most recent ltc rehab unit. (on leave nursing myself back to health, have an autoimmune condition that is flaring, big time)
   
5. what is a typical day like? in ltc have 20-25 patients on rehab unit, admissions, discharges, med admin, treatments all done by lpn. no unit secretary, so we do all own orders, and take all phone calls. supervise 3 cnas. it is a busy unit, and my shift flies by. have to be ready for anything to happen, and discuss situations with rn supervisor throughout the shift.
   
6. how do you organize your time to provide care to your patients? i have a form that i use daily to organize my time. it has med times, treatments, and important info to pass on to next shift. as i complete tasks they get crossed off. it really helps keep me organized. i concentrate the major of my time on my residents as they are the main focus and priority.
   
7. how do handle work, family, and having a social life too? i have found over the years that i love working the pm shift, it works best for me personally. although working that shift, i do miss out on some activities. a healthy balance is necessary. i make time to spend with people i care about.
   
8. what do you like best/least about nursing? best is making a difference everyday in people's lives, watching people heal from a surgery regain independance and go home! least like the management style and that nursing is a "business" also nurse/patient ratios
   
9. what is your opinion about nursing as a future career? "quality care" will become a memory. disappointed that the private insurance companies are here to stay.
   
10. what advice would you give to someone just starting in the nursing career? a student? just starting, don't expect to really feel comfortable for several months. be prepared to advocate for your patients, and at times for yourself as a nurse. student: study hard! gpa can matter specially in this job market!
    
11. is there anything else you think would be helpful for me to know? expect to make a mistake at some point, it will happen, people are human. when it does, admit it and do the right thing. and then, don't be too hard on yourself, but learn from it. also don't be too quick to please at work, if you need more training time, or don't feel comfortable with a task, speak up, a good employer will invest the time to train you properly on-the-job. remember that you work hard to get your license, protect it. remember to take care of yourself too!
    

good luck to you in your program!!

What is your name and Credentials?

Allison* LPN

Number of years in practice/places practiced (nursing homes, hospitals, etc.)

Brand new nurse in LTC facility, under one year.

Education completed, both formal and informal

LPN school.

Current job setting (describe services and clients served)

Long-term care facility, I have an average of 25 residents. I pass medications/treatments/chart/skin assesments/comprehensive assessments

What is a typical day like?

I arrive and count the cart with the first shift nurse, recieve report, fill out the CNA's assignments, pass 5pm medications, insulins, do treatments (flush caths/IV's, bolus feeds, apply creams, and currently have 2 ulcers to wrap, etc), chart on medicare residents and any PRN medications I gave, complete my skin and comprehensive assessments, pass my 9pm med pass, chart any PRN's or abnormal behavior, count cart with 3rd shift nurse, give report, go home! :) *This is what a "average" day is like. This doesn't really tell you how some days are. Some days you have residents or families with issues that you have to deal with/find someone to deal with. Some days you have a resident who won't stop vomiting that needs to be sent out. Some days you have a resident who is dying who needs medications q2-4 hours. Some days are hectic, what I wrote above is just a "average" day!

How do you organize your time to provide care to your patients?

This is something I learned how to do once I got to know my residents. You'll learn which ones take the longest and work around that.

How do handle work, family, and having a social life too?

It's been hard since I work 2nd shift. I haven't spent much time with my friends lately because I just really enjoy being alone on my days off!

What do you like best/least about nursing?

Honestly, there is nothing I don't like so far! I learn knew things everyday and it's just fun. :)

What is your opinion about nursing as a future career?

I think it's a great decision. I could never imagine having a job where I sit behind a desk all day. I love running around the unit and the fun conversations I have with my residents.

What advice would you give to someone just starting in the nursing career? A student?

Have fun! Never be afraid to ask a question, most nurses I have come across love teaching! Teaching is such a big part of the job sometimes anyway.

Is there anything else you think would be helpful for me to know?

Not that I can think of right now!