APRN (FNP) Interview
Interviewer: Thank you for finding the time to talk to us about your profession.
Lisa:You are welcome, the pleasure is all mine.
Interviewer:Tell us about yourself and your academic journey.
Lisa: My name is Lisa Haut; Iam currently married withtwo grown children. My medical career began when I attended New Jersey County College; this was for the ASN course. Afterward, my BSN coursewas studied at St Elizabeth College in the year 1980.
Interviewer: Any work experience?
Lisa:I worked at Danbury Hospital for 15 years as a Surgical /Medical expert in the ICU. Later on, I attended Hartford University where I obtained my Clinical Nurse Specialist degree in the year 1996. My FNP certificate was obtained at St Joseph University in the year 1998.The hospitals I worked for upon getting my FNP license includecommunity hospitals, unionized hospitals that paid every two weeks and so on. I also worked at nursing homes where my roleentailed doing admissions and H&P’s. I moved on to work in numerous community hospitals as a hospitalist until now.
Interviewer: What are your views concerning the role of the CT by past and present standards?
Lisa: Working in numerous places has allowed me to witness the metamorphosis of the roleto what it is today. My practice allows me to practice independently from a physician. This, in turn, provides me with more opportunities and complex functions.
Interviewer: Are there any benefits, which arise from these shifts in roles?
Lisa: Yes, first,the rolesare subjected to increase, this in turn results to a corresponding increase in the salary payable to us. So far, we have enjoyed a net rise of 130-160 every year. It is important to note that these increasesare initially slowly implemented.
Interviewer: Describe a typical day at the hospital for you.
Lisa: I am expected to see a total of 15-16 patients a day. This is on an average shift in the ER. I help with the patient admissions whenever am free.
Interviewer: Kindly share some insight on the division of roles in your current work place.
Lisa: On average, the hospital hires about 10 advanced practice nurses. This leads to division in roles as follows: Admission on days is split between three physicians and one APRN in the house and 2 physicians and 2APRN’s in the ER. As of the last three years, the Medical Director did my reviews; ithad been previously doneby the CNO.
Interviewer: Any temporary or community-based roles in other areas?
Lisa: Actually, I once served a temporary role where I was the Nursing Supervisor and APRN hospitalist for a 90 bed for Profit.The role was however characterizedby problems emanating from conflict of interest and lack of innovative ideas. The task was also overwhelming, and I was not able to offer support to the staff while making admissions. Nighttimeadmissionswere averaged at 8-9 patients.
Interviewer: Thank you for that, I hear that you are also a medical director for a school for troubled adolescents. Kindly share some insight on therole.
Lisa: Yes indeed, I am the certified Medical Director for Newbury School, which primarily focuses on troubled adolescents. My roles comprise of undertaking intakes, visiting the sick and fully supervising the nursing department.
Interviewer: We understand that such a role requires someone with much experience and added advantages, what made you a candidate and finally the person picked for the job?
Lisa: The role of a medical director is quite hectic; the 175,000 salary covers these hectic roles quite comfortably. My competencies, which made me a valid candidate for the role, include, having a firm scientific foundation, good leadership qualities practice inquiry, technology and information, policy, health delivery system, ethics, and independent practice. Quality competencies, which I have, that help in dealing directly with the patients include, knowing the relationship between access, quality, cost, and safety and how they influence health care. Also interpreting knowledge into practice interacts with the quality of the practice.
Interviewer: It can also be seen that your Patient outcomes and PresGaney are positive, any insight about this?
Lisa: Generating knowledge and continuously improving the practice has allowed me to gain the favor and approval of physicians and administrators. As a result, my patient outcomes and Pres Ganey are positive;this is for the sole purpose of maintaining this trust. I hold dear the roles of being a patient advocate and a teacher, one day I hope to get involved in research.
Interviewer: What are the obstacles and challenges surrounding this jobdescription?
Lisa: The major challenge met is transitioning to leadership mode after actively working from shoulder to shoulder as an active medical practitioner. The distribution of narcotic drugs is also a major problem since the drug seekers tend to be very convincing. As a nurse, I was taught to make sure the patient is free from pain at all costs hence the dilemma. Discrimination against the roles of some physicians and patients also go hand in hand to undermine the work environment since acceptance and respect as colleagues is a vital ingredient for a steady work environment. The final challenge isthe restrictions faced due to legislations, for instance, we are barred from performing H & P for admissions into nursing homes. Physicians are conventionally given this role. These restrictions are however,being countered, and a bill is awaiting the presidential signature.
Interviewer: Kindly provide a brief description of your overall job description in relation to all work areas mentioned above
Lisa: My job description is primarily Pt. centered, it includes collaborating with physicians to access, diagnosis, and treat patients while giving them continuity of care based on signs and symptoms and then finally, offering education to the patients.
Interviewer: Any further educational pursuits?
Lisa:Yes, I am currently attending Wilkes University to pursue a DNP. My primary goal and objective is to render access, quality evidence based care and make a difference.
Interviewer: Thank you for taking the time to share your professional life and congratulations on your medical achievements.
Lisa: Thank you! Glad I could be of help.
References
American Association of Nurse Practitioners (2015) Employment Negotiations.
Matzo, M. & Sherman, D. (2015). Palliative care nursing: quality care to the end of life. New York: Springer Publishing Company.