Some questions for Registered Nurses

[alex189]

At my college I have to interview someone with the career that I hope to have in the future. Unfortunately, I don't know any Registered Nurses! It would be greatly appreciated and a huge help if someone would be willing share a little bit about their experiences and help out a hopefully future nurse. :)

In order to make sure that I'm not just making up answers, my professor is requiring that we include the first and last name of the person that we are interviewing, as well as a form of contact information (email address if fine). If you feel uncomfortable posting this here, please feel free to private message me.

Here are my questions:

1. What is your educational background?

2. What was your undergraduate major?

3. Do you feel that your undergraduate education helped prepare you for your profession?

4. What extracurricular activities were you involved in as an undergraduate? How important do you think they were?

5. Looking back at your undergraduate career, is there anything you wish you had done differently? If so, what?

6. What do you like most about your current position?

7. What do you like least about your current position?

8. What is a typical work week like for you?

9. Is your career, at this point, what you thought it would be?

10. What do you feel are the most important qualities for a person in your position?

More than one person can answer! The more information the better.

Thank you so much in advance to anyone willing to help! Please let me know if you have any questions :)

Alex

[jammin246RN]

1. What is your educational background?

Associates in Nursing Minor in Chemistry

2. What was your undergraduate major?

Nursing

3. Do you feel that your undergraduate education helped prepare you for your profession?

Yes, and No. It gave a basic framework and gave a taste of the stress experienced in the nursing profession, however most of the things we learned in nursing school have no basis in reality. Case in point the different theories of long dead nurses. Also most of the patient care and drugs you only learn on the job.

4. What extracurricular activities were you involved in as an undergraduate? How important do you think they were?

I enjoyed the brain drain of lab experiments and chemistry. I also enjoyed going to the local bar to study with classmates. Always have a designated driver :) This allowed me to destress while playing a round of pool. Very helpful.

5. Looking back at your undergraduate career, is there anything you wish you had done differently? If so, what?

Not really, I enjoyed my time at my university.

6. What do you like most about your current position?

Helping patients and family members through a tough situation. Also lending my experience to new members of the nursing profession.

7. What do you like least about your current position?

Dr.s who believe they walk on water.

8. What is a typical work week like for you?

3 days on 4 days off. 12 hour shifts can be very nice lol. My time and days vary from week to week. I prefer nights since there are fewer chiefs about.

9. Is your career, at this point, what you thought it would be?

The first couple years were quite rough. But after that, it has smoothed out and I enjoy where I am at, and the versitility that this career has.

10. What do you feel are the most important qualities for a person in your position?

Able to think on their feet, must be able to stand by their decision, and be tough skinned enough not to take things personally. You must also be compassionate, and a problem solver. Be creative and think of new ways to solve new problems. Be able to stay cool under stress.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

There are alot of these requests here. The problem is that I personally believe that your instructors want you to do a face to face interview. This is an important part of your daily interactions with patients. I think your instructors are looking to expose you and help you become more comfortable in talking with complete strangers.

The interview process in nursing is extremely important. It is imperative that you learn to pick up on verbal and nonverbal clues from the first moment of contact whether triaging or interveiwing you new admission. A lot of information can be obtained through non verbal communication and eye contact (or the lack thereof) Like " is anyone hurting you mentally of physically at home??" I can easily say no now but in person ....What does the body language show? Is someone hurting them and they are afraid to say????

I am thinking it is the face to face skills that your instructors are looking for.....not something tweeted or FB'd or blogged. Make an appointment at your own doctors office to talk to that nurse (just make sure they are a nurse and not a medical assistant...your assingment is to talk to a nurse.) Go to a minute clinic at CVS or Walgreens and talk to a nurse there......go to your town's board of health or health services. Go to your local schools.....elementry,middle,jr or high and speak to the school nurse. Go to the health stop on campus....there should be a nurse there too.......Good Luck..!

[alex189]

Yes, I understand what you mean about benefiting from a face to face conversation. I will definitely look into some nearby places to see if they have nurses working there. Thanks to both of you, very helpful! :)