Considered working as a Labor and Delivery Nurse? This interview will take you through the ups and downs you can expect in the position, what it takes to land the job, what you can expect to earn and more. This is a true career story as told to AllHispanicJobs.com and is one of many interviews with professionals engineers which among others include a Bank Manager and an Assistant Manager.
What is your job title? How many years of experience do you have in that field?
I am a registered nurse and have been for the past 19 years. I work part-time in Labor and Delivery for a large hospital in New York.
Would you describe the things you do on a typical day?
My primary job functions are to care for postpartum women and their newborn babies, women who have undergone gynecological surgeries, as well as antepartum patients who have been admitted to the hospital for various reasons, such as the onset of premature labor.
What’s your ethnicity and gender? How has it hurt or helped you? If you ever experienced discrimination, how have you responded and what response worked best?
I am a Hispanic female. My Mom and Dad are both from El Salvador. I do not believe my ethnicity has hurt me in any way; in fact, it has helped me tremendously because most of my patients are Hispanic and speak little to no English. I have never been the object of discrimination in all my years as a registered nurse.
Do you speak any language other than English? If so, how has it helped you in your job?
I believe that my speaking Spanish is particularly comforting to my patients because it makes them feel less intimidated of their hospital surroundings and helps them to trust that they are not being taken advantage of because they do not speak English. I feel like I am an advocate for my Spanish-speaking patients because they cannot always articulate their needs.
On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate your job satisfaction? What would it take to increase that rating?
On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate my job satisfaction an 8. I love nearly every aspect of my job. What I do not care for is the politics that unfortunately come attached with my position. I believe that the upper echelon (management and supervisory positions) need to work better, or more closely with the nursing staff. Our job can be a difficult one and I believe it is important to back us and support us both as individuals and as a team.
What did you learn the hard way in this job and how did that happen?
In my line of work I have learned that you should NEVER assume anything. One time I was caring for a woman who had just undergone gynecological surgery. This particular woman was only in her 40s but looked much older. When her husband, who looked much younger than her, came to visit I put my foot in my mouth and said, “Oh, is this your son?” I wanted to die when she said that he was actually her husband!
What don’t they teach in school that would’ve been helpful to you?
As a nurse, one of the biggest things I did not learn in school but experienced the longer I worked was how to deal with family members, visitors and physicians. The down side of the job is diffusing arguments and avoiding negative confrontations with family members and/or visitors. Another major issue that had to be learned on the job as opposed to the classroom is how to prioritize my at-work schedule.
How did you get started in this line of work? If you could go back and do it differently, what would you change?
I honestly never had any intention to be a nurse; in fact, my passion was always in veterinary medicine, but I did not want to go through all of the required schooling so I decided to become a nurse instead. Thankfully, it was a decision I have never regretted.
What’s the strangest thing that ever happened to you in this job?
I don’t believe I have ever experienced anything that would be classified as strange; however, I have come across some very interesting cases in my two decades of nursing.
On a good day when things are going well, can you give an example of something that really makes you feel good?
On a good day when things are going well it makes me feel good when a patient tells me that I have made a difference in her life, or if she thanks me for the care she has received from me. These accolades truly warm my heart and they make the job that much more gratifying. It may not happen all the time, but when it does it really makes me feel appreciated.
When nothing seems to go right, what kind of snafus do you handle and what do you dislike the most?
As a nurse, it is easy to become overwhelmed with a heavy workload. It is at those times that I remind myself to handle one thing at a time. If necessary, I will ask one of my co-workers to assist me in the overflow. I know, especially in a position like mine that working haphazardly can be very dangerous to the welfare of the patient. What I dislike most is not being appreciated for all that I do each day.
How stressful is your job? Are you able to maintain a comfortable or healthy work-life balance?
My job can be very stressful. I am so thankful that I am able to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially since I am the mother of two young children. Working three days a week allows me to spend quality time with my family as well as help to supplement my husband’s income.
What’s a rough salary range for the position you hold? Are you paid enough considering your responsibilities?
I work part time, but if I worked full time with my years of experience, I would make between $85-90,000.00 a year. Sometimes I do feel like I am not paid enough for the type and amount of work I do each day: I literally have a person’s life and well-being in my hands.
What’s the most rewarding moment you’ve experienced in this position? Of all the things you’ve done at work, what are you most proud of?
I have had experienced many rewarding moments over the years. I was recently nominated as Nurse of Excellence by a co-worker. I was very honored and proud to receive that nomination. I love when I receive letters from patients who praise the type of care they received from me.
What’s the most challenging moment you’ve experienced? What would you prefer to forget?
One of the most challenging experiences I have had as a nurse was being involved in a Code Blue when a patient stops breathing and their heart stops. I would prefer to forget watching the first person I had as a patient die before my eyes.
What education and skills do you need to get hired and succeed in this field?
In terms of education, a registered nurse must have at least a two-year nursing degree in order to secure a position in the field. It also helps to have good people skills. Effective communication is vital in this particular field of employment.
What would you tell a friend considering your line of work?
I see many young people choose to become a nurse simply because the money is good. To them I say, “You have to like working with people and you must have a lot of patience in order to enter this field!” It is only a matter of time before the novelty of the position wears off and true motives are revealed.
How much vacation do you take? Is it enough?
I do work only part-time, but I take off all of the vacation time that has been allotted to me. I do believe the amount of time I receive each year is plenty.
Are there any common misunderstandings you want to correct about what you do?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that Labor and Delivery nurses play with babies all day long. That is far from the truth. Yes, I get to hold and love on babies, but there is so much more to the job than that.
Does this job move your heart? If not, what does?
Yes, I do feel like this job moves my heart in many different ways. There is nothing more special than to see a new mother interact with her baby!
If you could write your own ticket, what would you like to be doing in five years?
If I could write my own ticket, I would love to work as a registered nurse in the operating room.
Is there anything unique about your situation that readers should know when considering your experiences or accomplishments?
In my line of work every day is unique. You just cannot make up some of the things I have witnessed or experienced as a nurse. It’s what keeps my job interesting!
Have an interesting career story?
Interview with us and you may win an iPad!
