Jeannette and her husband
We know there are so many different nursing jobs out there, and we know that some of you are still in school, so we thought you might like to see what it’s really like working in the field on a daily basis in different roles. Today we talked to Jeannette who works two jobs as a nurse. She’s also a new mom.
1. What kind of nurse are you?
I work two different jobs as a nurse. I work as a “floor nurse” at Washington Regeional Medical Center (WRMC) as a progressive care cardiac nurse, which I have done since I graduated, and I also teach clinicals to nursing students to the University of Arkansas.
2. How would you describe what you do?
When I work at WRMC I take care of patients with cardiovascular problems such as a recent heart attack, congestive heart failure, or peripheral vascular disease to name a few.
When I teach I have a group of 7 or 8 students. We spend some time in lab learning how do perform different nursing skills and then we move to the hospital where they learn to care for these patients. They get to practice skills learned along with seeing first hand how many disease processes affect patients. They learn to apply textbook lectures to hands-on care.
3. What does a typical workday look like?
At WRMC, I care for 5 to 6 patients during my 12-hour shift. I start off by getting report from the off going nurse, once that is complete I start my day. I assess each patient, give scheduled medications, perform physician ordered tasks, which may be wound care, inserting a Foley catheter, assisting a patient walk around the unit, or simply bathing a patient. Each patient is different and each requires individualized care. All care is charted proficiently. I end my day handing off my patients to the oncoming nurse.
When I have my students, I am constantly observing them to see how well they are learning to be a nurse. I assist however needed, perfecting a head-to-toe assessment, quiz them on medication, and educate them on any area they are unsure about.
4. Why did you choose to be a nurse?
One day when I was maybe 15 or 16, nursing became my career choice. I had always been interested in caring for people and learning how to treat different ailments. My parents had the book, “Doctors Book of Home Remedies” and I remember reading about all sorts of treatments. My parents were and still are first responders for their community and I would attend their first aid training classes. As soon as I was old enough I was certified in CPR and would go with them on calls. When I graduated high school I knew what I wanted to major in in college, unlike many of my friends who were undecided. I have never regretted my decision.
5. What do you like about your work?
I love treating patients, and learning something every day. There are always new evidence-based studies coming out explaining better ways to treat patents. I try to work smarter not harder, meaning I want to make sure what I am doing is what is best for my patient and not going to cause more problems later.
To have a patient tell me how grateful they are for the care I have given makes everything worthwhile.
6. What do you dislike?
I hate seeing patients who seem to not care about their own health and who are patients of mine repeatedly because they are non-compliant with medications, physician instructions, or diet. It makes my care seem pointless when they don’t take initiative to better themselves.
I also hate when a patient dies. There are instances when a death is expected and the patient is “ready,” Then there are those times when a patient codes, everything is done, but they don’t make it though. Those are hard to deal with but what’s worse is I’ve become kind of dead to that, and it doesn’t affect me as bad as it once did. Over time, I have learned to deal with difficult situations and not let it affect me. Don’t get me wrong, I will still sit down with a patient that is dying and have utter sympathy for them and may even cry with them and the family, but death is something I have learned to respect.
7. How much money did you make starting out?
I don’t remember the exact amount, at WRMC I want to say somewhere around $18.50/hr. As I became certified in many things my pay went up. Each year I have received a raise based off my yearly evaluation.
Where/what you do will vary your pay rate.
8. What is the most challenging part of what you do?
Goes back to my answer about what I dislike about my job, keeping a positive front at all times no matter what is going on with my patients. Patients can be down right hateful and non-compliant. Trying to treat someone who could care less is very challenging.
9. What is the most rewarding?
I love when a patient comes in very, very sick and after treatment returns to their normal self. I think back to a patient who was about 85 years old and wanted to be able to work in her garden. She needed to have open-heart surgery but her age alone put her at a major risk for complications. She had her surgery, did wonderful, went home and got to start her garden.
I also love watching new nurses grow to become excellent nurses. The first year after graduation is scary, but with proper guidance they build confidence and learn to critical think and provide wonderful care.
10. What is a common misconception people have about what you do?
That nurses are subordinate to doctors, and must do whatever the doctor says.
Nurses do require physician orders for most of what we do, but we are also patient advocates. We sometimes have to question a doctor’s order or decision. Nurses need to make sure patients are well informed at all times about everything that is going on or planned. It may be questioning if a patient really should have surgery or a procedure that will potentially hurt the patient more than benefit the patient. Nurses are always the first ones blamed as soon as something goes wrong.
11. What goals/plans do you have for the future?
I have applied to UAMS to get my masters degree. I plan to study Family Health and get my Family Nurse Practitioner license. I will only be able to do this at a part time rate, so it will take me about 4 yrs to complete.
12. What else do you think someone who is considering nursing as a career should know about what you do?
Know that it is a stressful job and carries a lot of responsibility, but more times than not the rewards outweigh the bad times.
Thanks Jeannette!
If you would like to be featured on ScrubShopper.com or you know of a nurse we should interview please contact us. We love learning from you!
- Stephanie
smccratic (at) acumenholdings (dot) com
