A pediatric nurse was kind enough to share some insights into her daily duties and just how much the world is impacted by the great work the fine folks in healthcare do. I’m interviewing people in healthcare for a few posts to make sure I have a better understanding of some aspects of their daily life. Enjoy!
Healthcare Interviewee Profile
1) What is your official job / position title?
Certified Registered Nurse (RN)
2) What is your direct supervisor’s official job / position title?
Satellite Director
3) How many years have you been practicing as an RN or worked in Healthcare?
20
4) What are your specialties / areas of practice?
Pediatric
5) What is your highest level of formal education?
Undergraduate Degree – Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BNA)
Interviewee Responses
01) Describe what an RN does on a daily basis and for what ultimate purpose.
For me it begins with clocking in and checking email. Generally there is an hour or two before patient appointments; after that, I deal with the patients as scheduled. The visits can last from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on what needs to be done. Sometimes I give shots, other days it is just measuring children’s height, weight, blood pressure, temperature, and so forth. This is all done in the form of the patient’s yearly checkups.
02) Think back to a memorable time you interacted with another RN and share the story, please.
I can think back to when a fellow RN told me that she enjoyed giving shots to children! I was shocked to hear this, as this is the part I dislike the most. I have not met any other RN who has felt this way. Sometimes I wonder how this woman was raised!
03) Describe what you feel is the most fun part of being an RN?
The most fun part of being an RN is helping the children; it is such a beautiful thing to make a child laugh or smile. I do my job for the children, to make their experience as pleasant as possible. It really is the most fun when the kids are having fun, it takes away from the whole adult oriented part of the job.
04) Describe what you feel is the most stressful part of being an RN?
The most stressful part of the job is dealing with harsh parents. They do not come often, but when they do, it is very unpleasant to deal with. I think people just need to relax and realize they are in a hospital, which by its nature is a stressful environment.
05) Describe what you feel is the most rewarding part of being an RN?
The most rewarding part is seeing the kids so happy; as a kid, I was terrified of hospitals and shots. Being able to communicate with a child, distract them from the shot, and making them comfortable is beyond rewarding. It is the reason why I do what I do, and spent years in college to do so. It is a very heart warming job.
06) Teamwork is very important for all hospital staff. What can RNs do to improve teamwork in smaller teams and overall?
RNs have to communicate, not only with each other or the doctors, but also with the patients and their families. Proper teamwork is based upon communication, and without that there are going to be bumps in the road. The ability to communicate effectively is sorely missed in many areas of employment, not just among nurses.
07) Without integrity, patients and overall hospital quality declines. What can RNs do to maintain or increase integrity?
RNs must always remain calm and gentle in the presence of patients. If I have a parent acting out over supposedly waiting too long for their kid’s checkup, I try to remind them of the endless scenarios, patient jams, and remind them to be vigilant. Proper hygiene as always is best, as is keep workspace sanitary.
08) Staying on top of healthcare industry growth is very important. How can RNs achieve this through continued education and other means?
Continuing your education keeps the mind fresh, particularly in the healthcare industry. While programs don’t necessarily pay for graduate school these days, I think it is still a good idea to go to graduate school if you have a strong desire to move up the ladder. Otherwise, keeping up on the latest treatments, diseases, and so forth is a great way of staying alert.
09) What do you think it would take to make an RN want to quit, whether or not they actually do?
I think RNs are some of the emotionally strongest people on this earth, so this question is a bit hard to digest. I believe an RN who has her input disregarded, is mocked, and not listened to would find it rather easy to quit. People want to be respected and have their words heard, especially in a hospital environment
10) What about the healthcare industry, as it relates to nursing, do you think needs the most improvement?
I think the treatment part of the healthcare industry needs to be improved upon; x-rays and MRIs are just so darn expensive nowaways, particularly because there are no base stated prices for most of these maneuvers. A lot of treatments are extremely expensive, and it is disheartening to see a family deny preventative medication because of cost. In my opinion, preventative medication ought to be free, or nearly free, as it prevents huge costs in the long run.
11) If you owned a hospital, then what would you do to help RNs be more effective overall?
I would have the RNs get free access to therapists on the regular; it is a very stressful environment, and you don’t necessarily want the RNs bringing their job home. I feel this would be a great way for RNs to cope with stress. Another method I would employ is a way for RNs to work on effective communication, which is crucial when dealing with parents and patients alike.
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I’ve been told one of the most useful tools for building strong teams, improving communication, and strengthening coworker bonds is the Bird Personality Test. I’ve noticed this is especially true for the healthcare industry. It warms my heart to think a tool I offer is helping wonderful healers do their good work. Please consider using the tool with your team, too.