futuremurse1

Good points. Although I've found that nursing school sometimes requires a bit of triage. Particularly with an assignment that requires securing another parties participation in a weeks time. That being said I've reached out to a half dozen nurses in hopes of gaining some headway and have yet to hear back from any. If any nurse that see's this is willing to provide some input it would be much appreciated and at least be of more help than the lack of replies I've received locally. Muchas gracias.

[TABLE] [TR] [TD] I'm a sixth semester BSN student and I was just given an assignment in week 1 to interview a neuro nurse by the end of the week. Since I don't know any neuro nurses and don't rotate to Neurology until next semester I was hoping one of you may be willing to provide brief responses to these ten questions. My other option is to wander onto the neuro unit with coffee and cake or something. At this point I know very little about neuro nursing so any information you can share with me would be helpful and very much appreciated. Question #1: Describe your current nursing role and the types of neurological patients you care for. [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Question #2: How long have you worked with neurological patients? [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Question #3: What would you describe as the most rewarding aspects of working with neurological patients? Why? [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Question #4: What are the greatest opportunities/challenges associated with working with neurological patients? Why? [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Question #5: Name a neurological scale or tool you have used or seen used neurological patients. Tool Name: Discuss the tools use: What are the key features of this tool?, How does it serve it purpose? Are there areas in the tool which may be improved? What other tools have you found helpful to assess neurological patients? I am most familiar with the Glasgow Coma Scale to assess arousal and awareness through eye movements, verbalization, a motor responses. But what is the best way to conduct this assessment for different types of patients? [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Question #6: Discuss a medication or class of medications that you have administered for a neurological purpose. Medication Name/Class of Medication: What was it for? What information is important for the nurse to know about it? What information is important for the patient to know about the medication? For instance I know that sumatriptan can be useful for treating migraine headaches but I don't know much about how it works, how to administer it most effectively, or what patient education is important. Many drugs have a long list of potential side effects but which are most common, potentially dangerous, or disconcerting to the patient? I've heard the term 'serotonin syndrome' but don't know how you'd identify it or what steps you'd take. [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Question #7: Describe one of the single most important aspects of working with neurological patients? [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Question #8: Describe key interdisciplinary healthcare team members to include in the care of the neurological patient? Why are they important? [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Question #9: Describe a nursing value (i.e. compassion, knowledge, respect, integrity) that you think is particularly important in caring fr neuro patients? Why? My first thought is that neuro patients may benefit most from a nurse who is very knowledgeable about their particular type of ailment and treatments. [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Question #10: What additional information do you feel is important to know about neurological nursing roles? [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]