Would you mind answering some questions for my school paper?

agent66 · Jul 14, 2007

I'm supposed to write an essay based on the interviews of the career that I've chose. For those of you who can: could you tell me your name (if you're uncomfortable with that you don't have to write last name), the degree, and where you work?
1. What is the perception of the role of your career (registered nurse)?
My perception is that of teacher, caregiver, lifesaver
2. Has that perception changed since you started your career?
Definately more of the teacher, lifesaver now
3. What areas of nursing have you worked?
neuro/neurosurg, medical teaching unit, cardiac surgery and cardiology unit
4. Did you feel as though you needed different types of communication for each specialty area? If so, how did you communication differ?
Definately different with the neuro given the amount of confusion in the patients with head traumas, and high level of stress with the families. They really needed to be approached sometimes with caution. Cardiology is a different population, now quite unfortunately young , but more receptive to information, or so it seems. Surgery is a little easier, follow caremaps, instruct with meds, incision care etc.
5. With whom do you communicate with most frequently?
I only work nights so for me it is 80% patient communication,5%family, 5%doctors, and 10% co-workers. I like it that way, gives you time to finish conversations instead of being interrupted by the phone, by the housekeeper, by thekitchen staff, residents etc etc
6. How important do you believe communication is in the nurse/customer (patient) relationship?
Extremely important, you can get a lot of info from the first 5minutes of a conversation with a patient. Are they ready to learn something new? Are they too upset with a diagnosis to do anything but vent at you? Is their wife sick at home and they are worried and therefore short fused with staff? People are just people, I always say no matter how ignorant some of them can be , there are (usually) good reasons for it and you have to look past it and treat them with respect.
7. Are there any insights or tips you can give me that you have discovered that enhance communication with clients or others?
Humour has always worked for me. Smile, be cheerful. If the nurse is a sourpuss how the heck is the patient going to be relaxed enough to learn, or be motivated to even go for a walk post op? Have been a patient too, and it was reassuring to have a kind soul come to give me my pills rather that someone who was just there to pay the bills. Patients do pick up on who enjoys their job and who doesn't.
Thank you for your reply and time!

Hoipe this helps you out!!

mcmike55 · Jul 14, 2007

I'm supposed to write an essay based on the interviews of the career that I've chose. For those of you who can: could you tell me your name (if you're uncomfortable with that you don't have to write last name), the degree, and where you work?
1. What is the perception of the role of your career (registered nurse)?
I started thinking of course, first care giver, bedside that is, then started seeing more of a desk bound supervisor type role. Thank goodness, after working nights on a busy medical floor, the caregiver side came back.
2. Has that perception changed since you started your career?
To a certain point. I still value my caregiving role. Working now in OR, it's such a one on one, hands on environment. But, now in my 30th year as a nurse, the teacher, mentor, resource person role is becoming a reality, I like that too.
3. What areas of nursing have you worked?
I've worked my whole life in one small rural hosptial. But I've worked everywhere, ICU, OB, OR, ER, general and med/surg. While in nursing school, I worked with an ambulance service, and done ride alongs in medical helicopters too. I've been lucky to see such a wide area.
4. Did you feel as though you needed different types of communication for each specialty area? If so, how did you communication differ?
Communication, to me, is a lot like teaching. You must vary your delivery to fit the class and the situation. Communication is critical, across the board. I think that different areas, say med/surg floor and ER or OR communciate differently because of the job they are doing, and the "players" (such as educational background, and number of people) involved.
5. With whom do you communicate with most frequently?
In our OR, other nurses, though not too much, as we are pretty much isolated in our own rooms, but we do confir on various matters as needed. We do communicate intimately with the receiving nurse in PACU, and the charge nurse running the front desk/pre-op area. Also nurses or docs in other areas, when I answer the surgeons pages. Other than RN's, my communication involves my partner scrub tech, and the anesthesiologist assigned to my room. Then there is commuication, of course with surgeons, and PCA' who assist us with moving the pt and helping with turn over.
6. How important do you believe communication is in the nurse/customer (patient) relationship?
Critical. Now keep in mind, for about 80-90% of the time, I have no conversation with my pt, not in surgery! But, to me this makes that small window of oportunity to talk with my pt all that more important. We must be sure that they have indeed been NPO, allergies, confirm operative procedure and site, etc. But just as important to me, is to make sure they understand what is going to happen, ease their fears, clear up misconceptions, etc
A lot to do in a short period of time, I tell you!
7. Are there any insights or tips you can give me that you have discovered that enhance communication with clients or others?
LISTEN!!!! Also watch your pt. I am big on non verbals. Body positioning, where are they looking, etc. I also try to be aware of the pt's interaction with the significant others involved, it can also help sometimes. With my co-workers, I guess I try to see their side in a conversation. Over the years, during a disagreement, it seems to me that the truth actually falls somewhere in between my viewpoint and yours!
Hope that helps, good luck!! Mike

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2007

Name: Don, Saint Petersburg FL, ADN

1. What is the perception of the role of your career (registered nurse)?My role is to maximize the patients wellness (which may involve helping them in their death) through assessment and intervention.

2. Has that perception changed since you started your career?No

3. What areas of nursing have you worked? trauma med-surg, neurology, cardiology, general medical/oncology

4. Did you feel as though you needed different types of communication for each specialty area? If so, how did you communication differ?No

5. With whom do you communicate with most frequently?The patient, then the family, then coworkers, especially the CNA I'm working with.

6. How important do you believe communication is in the nurse/customer (patient) relationship?Highly important, particularly the gift of listening

7. Are there any insights or tips you can give me that you have discovered that enhance communication with clients or others?Take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth (in other words listen to your patients), it's not about you but the patient.

luvschoolnursing, LPN · Jul 14, 2007

I'm supposed to write an essay based on the interviews of the career that I've chose. For those of you who can: could you tell me your name (if you're uncomfortable with that you don't have to write last name), the degree, and where you work?
RN, BSN, CSN (certified school nurse) Work in a public school
1. What is the perception of the role of your career (registered nurse)?
Mostly teacher. I do first aid, screenings, etc. but mostly (and what I enjoy most) is health teaching, wellness education, healthy lifestyle choices,
2. Has that perception changed since you started your career?
I did 17 years of med surg, so I almost feel like going into the schools 5 years ago was a new career. Had to learn an all new form of communication and set of skills, so I guess the short answer is "yes"
3. What areas of nursing have you worked?
Med surg, LTC, and school nursing
4. Did you feel as though you needed different types of communication for each specialty area? If so, how did you communication differ?
Yes, in the hospital people were in crisis and needed to be communicated with differently. Many people were confused. Now in the schools, working with different ages, most of whom are minors. Need to be aware of developmental level
5. With whom do you communicate with most frequently?
Students and teachers
6. How important do you believe communication is in the nurse/customer (patient) relationship?
Invaluable!!!
7. Are there any insights or tips you can give me that you have discovered that enhance communication with clients or others?
LISTEN first. Humor always helps, too
Thank you for your reply and time!

Hope this helps!

EmmaG, RN · Jul 14, 2007

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EmmaG, RN · Jul 14, 2007

1. What is the perception of the role of your career (registered nurse)? primarily? patient advocate

2. Has that perception changed since you started your career? no

3. What areas of nursing have you worked? Some experience in most adult areas of the hospital setting; home health (years ago); primarily hematology/oncology, med/surg, tele, neuro.

4. Did you feel as though you needed different types of communication for each specialty area? If so, how did you communication differ? I don't think so. Active listening works in any situation. Of course communication is tweaked to the situation, but in my experience not necessarily to a particular specialty.

5. With whom do you communicate with most frequently? Patients, families, staff, case managers, docs.

6. How important do you believe communication is in the nurse/customer (patient) relationship? Very important. Without it, you don't have a relationship.

7. Are there any insights or tips you can give me that you have discovered that enhance communication with clients or others? Rid the environment of as many distractions as possible. Attend to the patient's physical needs first (pain, bathroom, thirst/hunger, comfort, etc). Sit down. Listen and reflect.

TazziRN, RN · Jul 14, 2007

name and place: decline to answer

degree: adn

1. what is the perception of the role of your career (registered nurse)? pt advocacy, advanced caregiver, liason between pt and dr.

2. has that perception changed since you started your career? i don't remember!!! i would guess that it probably has, though. i don't think advocacy was pushed as hard as it is now.

3. what areas of nursing have you worked? er for 19 years, just started in home health

4. did you feel as though you needed different types of communication for each specialty area? if so, how did you communication differ? yes. in the er diplomacy was not always worried about. i was not afraid to stare at a doc and say "what are you thinking???" in home health diplomacy is a must.

5. with whom do you communicate with most frequently? in the er it was all hospital staff: lab, radiology, other units, drs. in home health it's mostly other nurses. i haven't started communicating with the doctors yet.

6. how important do you believe communication is in the nurse/customer (patient) relationship? very! if the pt doesn't like how you are communicating, s/he will shut down and not listen. if you don't make yourself clear, s/he will not understand a crucial piece of information.

7. are there any insights or tips you can give me that you have discovered that enhance communication with clients or others? listen!

YoGiDaBeAr · Jul 14, 2007

Wow! Thank you for all the helpful reply!

I think I've learned about this career in a whole new level. It got me to know about this field than just simple research from written sources.

I think I'll lurking (reading th forums, but not posting) here from time to time just to see what I can pick up.