NUR 502 – Theoretical Foundations for Nursing Roles and Practice

Master’s Prepared Nurse Interview Guide

Introduction
I have chosen to interview the Manager of the Perioperative Services to gain insight into her career goals, achievements and motives for perusing a graduate degree in nursing. I am currently working in the Perianesthesia Department which provides services for approximately 36 surgeries a day. To maintain the privacy of this individual, I will refer to her a Jane.
Overview of Career
Jane was married by the young age of 20. She was a high school graduate and a stay at home wife. Finding herself bored at home with her new husband gone for long hours at work, Jane started taking courses at her local Junior College. After spending time and talking to her new friends, Jane became interested in the nursing program available at her local junior college. One of her friends suggested Jane applies with her to the nursing program. Excited about her new career, Jane embarked on a lifelong journey. As an excited brand new grad, Jane went straight to the ICU. After having her children, Jane was ready to move to another area of nursing. Jane had enjoyed her rotation of the operating room during nursing school, so when a position in the Recovery Room became available, Jane applied. Once proficient in the Recovery Room, Jane realized it was time to increase her education. The Charge nurse encouraged her to seek her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN). Jane heard about a new program through California State Dominguez Hills University (CSUDH) for working professionals (CSUDH, 2016). Jane found this very challenging as she had a young growing family, but with the support of her husband, she graduated in two years. Jane was very proud of her career and her new degree. Jane continued to work at the same facility in the Recovery Room for ten more years. With her critical care experience and BSN, Jane was offered a position at the Hospitals Out Patient Surgery Center as the Charge Nurse.
Graduate Education
This embankment on Jane’s new vocation lead her to see she was facing new tasks which she did not have the experience or education to challenge. Jane also felt she was not recognized for her strong critical-thinking skills and decision making abilities. This frustration and lack of support to improve the quality of care and growth of the surgery center prompted Jane to become certified in her field. Jane was the first and only nurse to become certified in her facility. Jane quickly became a Certified Perianesthesia Nurse (CPAN). Proud of her new-found knowledge, Jane quickly became certified in the Operating Room (CNOR) to increase the standard of care. Jane soon noticed her facility did not feel the need to push for service excellence and nursing mandates. This was not a priority at the Out Patient Facility.
Once again, Jane reached out to CSUDH to pursue her Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN). CSUDH had an on line MSN certified program allowing her to pursue her education while working full time (CSUDH, 2016). She was mentored by the Director of Education at her Main hospital’s facility. Jane felt she was lucky to have the Director of education to pave the road for her and showed her the importance critical thinking, effective communication and the importance of being a responsible leader.
After graduation, Jane accepted a position as the Perioperative Manager at a 300 bed facility, managing 40 surgeries a day. Jane was now in a position to share her knowledge, evidenced-based practices, and increased standards of care, i.e. Hospital Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Survey (HCCAPS), National Patient Safety Goals, Sponge Accounting, and Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP).
Pearls of Wisdom
Jane’s advice to everyone striving for increased knowledge or desire, to improve the standards of care is education. Jane feels the first step is to become certified in your area of specialty. Jane feels this is the foundation to the standards of practice, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, and practice recommendations.
Conclusion
Jane promotes evidence-based practice and educates her staff to the importance of data collection and auditing to monitor their practice. It was wonderful to see the excitement in her practice even after all these years. I am excited about my own degree and new-found knowledge. I have recently become certified in my area of specialty and found it to be a stepping stone to pursuing my degree. Jane has offered to be my mentor while perusing my MSN.

References

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/ccne-accreditation

http://www.gcu.edu/About-Us/Mission-and-Vision.php

http://www.gcu.edu/College-of-Nursing-and-Health-Care-Professions.php

http://www.myCSUDH.edu.com

Jane, 2016