That I am an RN and That I love my job. My education included an AA degree, then I had prerequisite science courses to take after that. Then I was accepted at Cal State San Marcos and went there for three years full time and earned my BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree.
- What is your job title?
I am the charge nurse.
- What are your main duties and responsibilities?
This is a rehab center as well as home to some long term residents. My main responsibility is to be an advocate for my patients and residents. Some of my duties include medication administration, dressing changes, following through on doctor orders, communicating with patients and families, hospice nursing, and making sure that the care center runs smoothly.
- Why did you choose to work here?
The fact that this job provides diversity in my field. I enjoyed my rotation in the
orthopedic area of the hospital. I am able to take care of residents as well as help the rehab patients regain their health and send them home. This is a beautiful setting to provide care. The patients, residents, and my coworkers are the reason I choose to stay here.
- How did you end up doing the job that you do?
When I was 39 years old I was going to school to be a teacher and I was diagnosed with breast cancer. When I was going through chemotherapy I had the most amazing nurses taking care of me. I decided that that was what I wanted to do and I changed my career path. My friends and family thought I was crazy but I did it. Looking back it was the best decision I have made in my life, I have never regretted it. My mother and aunt are retired nurses, and my sister is a pharmacist.... It took cancer for me to figure out what I wanted to be when I grow up.
- Do you consider a career in this area satisfying? In what ways?
Definitely! This is a field that offers so many options. It is never boring and very satisfying. If you get bored with the area of nursing that you are doing you can go into another area such as emergency room, operation room, labor and delivery, oncology, flight nurse, travel nurse, hospice nurse, home health nurse, the possibilities are endless.
- Is there anything you wish you'd realized about the world of work when you were my age?
I wish that I could have done an internship like the one you are doing. It is an eye opening experience. I wish I would have realized what a nurses job entails as I would have done this sooner.
- How important is getting along with other people in your career?
- How important is getting along with other people in your career?
It is very important. You need to have good communication skills with the patients and your co-workers. This is a very people oriented field and people skills is a must.
- What other personality traits, skills, or knowledge are important here?
Continuing education is a must as the field of medicine is constantly expanding and changing. Other personality traits needed for this field include patience, caring, listening, critical thinking, and having good assessment skills.