For this paper, the author interviewed a nurse at a local hospital. They have been working there for five years as a registered nurse, throughout which they have performed well. However, they have chosen not to advance their career for now due to personal circumstances, remaining in their current position. Their experience makes their knowledge exciting and valuable, which is why the author has chosen to interview them. The main findings from the interview are summarized below, separated into three categories.
The interviewee stated that, as they generally work with patients, the related terms, such as health history, blood group, see the most use. Medication names are particularly prominent, as the nurse primarily works with inpatients and administers their treatments. Additionally, since the nurses are responsible for monitoring patient conditions, they often use medical terms to refer to instrument readings and patient appearance. Overall, the terms that are used daily appear to refer to immediate practice more than theory or long-term initiatives, such as evidence-based practice or quality improvement (Christenbery, 2017). These words are reserved for staff meetings and discussions with the leadership and management regarding potential new initiatives.
Throughout the interviewee’s career, they have observed many mistakes, most of which were minor. However, they remember several cases of misdiagnosis, where unnecessary treatments were administered or would have been administered but were prevented in time. With that said, the interviewee claimed that none of the incidents ended in significant harm to the patient, though the hospital has reimbursed some of them. More minor incidents generally involved small practical mistakes by other nurses, particularly newer and less experienced ones. As such, more experienced nurses generally pay increased attention to new workers and correct their mistakes during work.
The interviewee has expressed the belief that composure and self-possessions are the most important aspects of continued effectiveness and safety. They claimed that nurses who are not calm because of worry or stress are the most likely to make mistakes and be seen as liabilities rather than assets to the hospital. As such, they try to manage their stress, both job-related and otherwise, and stay focused on their work. They are aware that they could do more, seeking to improve the facility’s performance or grow personally. However, they stated that these goals are currently not a priority for them for the same personal reasons as those mentioned above.
Overall, throughout the interview, the author has gained insight into the practical work of nurses. They are more focused on practice than theory because of the nature of their profession, though they are not averse to the latter and will incorporate new findings if necessary. They are aware of the costs of mistakes and the principal causes, working to minimize the rates of errors in themselves as well as others. Moreover, the author has encountered the perspective of an experienced worker for whom professional growth is unnecessary, as they have other priorities. Overall, they have gained an improved insight into the nursing profession, which they will apply in their future work.
Reference
Christenbery, T. L. (2017). Evidence-based practice in nursing: Foundations, skills, and roles. Springer Publishing Company.