Taking the first step in the path of becoming a registered nurse (RN) is not an easy one. There are so many possibilities and ways to become an RN that it can be confusing to choose how to start. In addition to becoming a nurse, there are many fields of expertise a nurse can choose from, it just depends on what you’re passionate about. As a person who is aspiring to become a future RN, I was interested in what the process of becoming a nurse was like and what goes on within their daily workplace. Luckily, Marichu Saludar, BSN, RN, CMSRN, who works for Veteran’s Affair in New Haven, CT granted me an opportunity to conduct an informational interview and provide valuable information that would help me in the path of becoming a successful nurse.
What does a workday look like for you?
I typically work a 12-hour shift, 3 times a week and the work usually depends on the number of patients and how much care they need. One nurse can be assigned a maximum of 3 critical patients at a time. I start by getting the patient report from the overnight shift and I take vitals, read charts and reports, go over lab results, and follow up doctors’ orders while monitoring the patient.
What were your early roles in your career?
I was an RN for Alzona hospital in the Philippines, I small hospital with a bed capacity of 25. I was assigned to the NICU and took care of newborns that required intensive care. I usually took care of 5 newborn babies providing basic infant care such as diaper changing and feeding.
What skills are the most important to learn to be successful in this career?
I was taught that you need to have passion and view nursing as not a profession but a vocation. You have to instill a mindset to not to be just satisfied by the pay but be satisfied in helping others to those who are sick.
What are the challenges you face while working in the nursing field?
There are many challenges I face but the most challenging is trying to separate the stress from work and home. Learning how to be patient and control your emotions is very important in this field. When you experience a loss of a patient, you need to control your empathy in front of others and prevent bringing your emotions out of the workplace.
The interview with Marichu gave me an insight into what it’s like to be a nurse. After hearing her experiences, I felt more confident that this was the career I wanted to be in and I have the right tools to become one. Marichu also mentioned that as long as I believe in myself and envision my future career with the goal of helping others, I can become the successful nurse that I strive to be.
