Please help with school project

KinshuKiba · Sep 3, 2010

How long have you been an RN? 5 years.

What is your educational background? ADN

What was the first medical job you held? Nurse's Aide on a medical floor and in an ER

If you had it to do over again would you still become an RN? I would indeed, but I would go to a different school, maybe get my BSN.

What is your favorite part of the job? Knowing that I made a difference to someone, that they entered my care in need of healing and left it in a better state.

What is the biggest disadvantage? Fatigue and strain on my nerves. On the worst of days, it can be hard to remember why I became a nurse.

What hours do you work? Three 12 hour shifts a week. On nights right now.

Are there other shifts available? Yes. I'm fixing to switch to 11a to 11p.

What is the chain of command? Charge nurse, assistant director, director, ect.

Do you have a specialty in this field? ER.

What made you choose that specialty? I have a short attention span and get bored easily, plus I work well under pressure.

What does your typical day consist of? There really isn't a typical day in the ER. Everything can change in an instant, and anything can walk through the door.

What are some duties that may not happen as often but still possible? I don't tend to work as hard, physically, as floor nurse. Bed changes and butt-wiping are decreased, and since our patients are usually with us a short amount of time, routine physical care, like bathing, oral care, or feeding, are almost absent.

Any advice for someone interested in this as a career? Working ER requires great flexability, a sharp mind, and a huge sense of humor; if you can't function without a schedule, or you can't laugh at something stupid or morbid, ER probably isn't the place for you.

Do you believe obtaining an associates, bachelors, or masters degree has a large difference in the field? I really think it depends on what you ultimately want to do. An ADN is sufficient for staff nursing, a BSN is more appropriate for management, and a masters is best for advanced practice, like CRNA or NP.

Are there times when the job becomes stressful? Why? My job is always stressful. And really, I think all nursing jobs are, simply because of the population one deals with. Sickness and pain tend to create misery and anger, which induces stress both in the patient and the care giver. The important thing is accept that it's never going to be a stress free field, and to learn how to properly manage your stress without succumbing to burn-out.

Do you believe it takes special characteristic in order to deal with this type of job? Yes.

If so, what are the most important characteristics? A sharp mind, a big heart, a strong stomach, and the ability to accept that not everyone can be saved.

Have you ever felt your job puts you in danger? Yes. Beyond the basic dangers every nurse deals with, like needlestick, we deal with violent or psychotic prisoners, patients in the throes of mental illness, over-doses, addicts, and drunks how can misconstrue the situation, and people that just decide they don't like you.

Do you think you will always be an RN? Nursing is a rewarding job and a stable one. I make a comfortable living and am proud of what I do. But, I don't know that I'll be a nurse forever. My pet dream is to open my own bookstore.

Where do you feel you spend most of your time with family of patients, with patients, or with physicians? I spend most of my time charting or running back and forth.

How do you keep up with the changes in technology and information? Osmosis, for the most part.

Nursing student85 · Sep 3, 2010

Thank you so much you are awesome!

godbless-yute · Sep 3, 2010

How long have you been an RN? 8months
What is your educational background? BSN and BS Health Sciences
What was the first medical job you held? census coordinator
If you had it to do over again would you still become an RN? yep
What is your favorite part of the job? the pace
What is the biggest disadvantage? the pace
What hours do you work? 3p-3a
Are there other shifts available? 7a, 11a, 7p
What is the chain of command? director - manager- clin. supervisors - me
Do you have a specialty in this field? ER
What made you choose that specialty? Same role, but job changes several time a day!
What does your typical day consist of? Lots of IV starts,
What are some duties that may not happen as often but still possible? bathing pts
Any advice for someone interested in this as a career? make sure its what u want to do. Don't do it for the money, because that will never be enough....you have to really enjoy this kinda stuff....I do!
Do you believe obtaining an associates, bachelors, or masters degree has a large difference in the field? It won't really make a difference in your day to day tasks, but I think it will give u a bigger sense of fulfillment if u at least have a BSN (no offense to the ASN folks). For mgmt roles, you will need at least that much, it puts you in a position where if later on u wanna advance ur role, you won't have to worry about going back to school first.
Are there times when the job becomes stressful? Why? Yes. When things that should be done, can't get done due to red tape.
Do you believe it takes special characteristic in order to deal with this type of job? YES!!!
If so, what are the most important characteristics? tough skin and confidence
Have you ever felt your job puts you in danger? yes, psych pts in the ER can be unpredictable.
Do you think you will always be an RN? yes, but not always bedside.
Where do you feel you spend most of your time with family of patients, with patients, or with physicians? patients.
How do you keep up with the changes in technology and information? I haven't been out of school long enough for major changes :)