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Interview Questions
JN graduated from Miami Dade College School of Nursing on 2010 and has 7 years of
nursing experience.

1. What made you choose nursing as a career?

I always wanted to be in the medical field. Being a doctor was always my dream, but I had a
son at 17 and plans changed; at the same time, I was an oncology patient and acquired a deep
appreciation for nursing.

2. What are some of the struggles you encountered, if any, in nursing school?
Finding time to study and balancing work and family life.

3. Do you plan on pursuing a higher degree in nursing?

Yes, Nurse Practitioner.

4. Do you see yourself becoming a nursing professor or clinical instructor in the

future?
I thought about it, but perhaps when a Im a bit older.

5. What is the most difficult part of being a nurse?

Application of knowledge acquired via critical thinking skills.

6. How do you handle stress on a job?

I pray and ask many questions to make sure I understand everything.

7. Give an example of a situation where you had to deal with a difficult and demanding
patient and what you did.
Patients wife demanded that her 2-year-old son be allowed to see his father, although the
visitation policy was for 12 and older. I spoke to the MD and manager to allow a rule
exception.

8. What kind of personality traits are most effective for nurses to have?
Sharp critical thinking skills, detail oriented and multi-tasking, caring and compassionate.

9. What do you find most rewarding about being a nurse?

The humbling of yourself to serve other in dyer times.

10. If you had the choice to start over and choose a different career, would you?
I probably would.
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Interview Summary

JN was always inclined to pursue a career in the health science field. She started off
with dreams to become a doctor, but unfortunately was compelled to choose a different
career. Being a patient at the hospital herself made her inclined to the idea of becoming a
nurse. As she previously stated, she acquired a deep appreciation for the art of nursing.
She applied to nursing school and got into Miami Dade College School of Nursing. As many
other students, she tried to adjust to her new schedule and balance out school with work
and family duties. She was a young mother caring for her son and working to maintain her
family financially. Thus, trying to find time to study was difficult for her. Now that she
graduated and started working as an oncology nurse herself, she was confronted with more
struggles trying to adjust as a newly grad nurse. Like many others, it was difficult at first
getting the hang of it, especially with limited experience.

She claimed to most difficult part of becoming a nurse will have to be applying the
knowledge gained in certain situations and critical thinking. She emphasized the
importance of critical thinking in the nursing field. On top of that, other skills nurses must
cultivate is ability to multi-task and pay attention to details. Also, one must be
compassionate and caring in the nursing field. As a nurse, youre bound to encounter
stress; whether with the patient, patients family, or with your co-workers. JN described
one situation when trying to deal with a difficult and demanding patient. Her conflict
resolution was to speak with the medical doctor in charge of the patients care and to the
nurse manger. The problem was resolved and they made an exception to the patients
situation in regard to the hospital policy.

As nurses, were bound to a high stress working environment. Thus, we need an

outlet to cope with the stress. I asked JN how she handled her stress at the job and her
outlet for coping with stress is praying. She finds great peace in mind with praying. Also,
she likes to ask a lot of questions to verify her understanding. Although caring for sick
patients can be stressful at times, it can also be rewarding. Most patients in the end are
grateful and as JN stated it is humbling to care for those in need. JN plans on pursuing her
masters degree and becoming a nurse practitioner. She has considered becoming a nursing
professor or clinical instructor in the future when shes much older.
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In conclusion, JN is an oncology nurse with 7 years of experience. According to

Benner, her level of proficiency will be defined as an expert. She was confronted with
obstacles when in nursing school, but conquered them as she found a way to balance her
new life as a student, mother, and worker to provide for her family. As soon as she started
working as an oncology nurse she was welcomed with new obstacles of trying to adjust as a
beginner nurse. Now shes enhanced certain skills required in nursing, such as multi-
tasking and critical thinking. Shes managed past stressful situations with success and also
found healthy ways to cope with stress. Now shes planning to return to school to pursue a
higher degree in nursing.