Bethany Castronuevo 1

ISM PERIOD 7

ISM- MENTOR INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

Student Name: Bethany Castronuevo Period: 7th

Printed Name of Person Interviewed: Julie D. Carlisle

Role of Individual:
__X__Mentor
Place/Name of Business: University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston

Business Address: 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555

Phone Number: +1(409) 772-1011
Date of Interview: November 12, 2017

Type of Interview: __Mentor__ In Person

1. For someone working in your field, please describe the fantasies versus realities of the
job.
(fantasy vs. reality)
Fantasy- When a person says they work with newborns, people think that they will be holding
babies, rocking, cradling them, changing diapers, and feeding them.
Real: You will need to intubate babies give medications, make constant checkups on them and
the mother, you have to educate the mother and father on how to take care of the baby, you
always need to keep the parents updated if there are any changes on the baby, you have to
develop a plan for the baby until they get discharged, you have to get their vital signs, all the
exams performed on them. We rarely get to hold them, and we dont even have a rocking chair,
for starters.

2. What is your current educational level? What continuing education and training are
required?
(educational level and requirements)
I have a bachelors degree in nursing and I also have a masters degree in being a pediatric nurse
practioner.
With being a CPNP, each year you have to document 15 contact hours in the certification you are
in on an online application. You also need to have documented 15 hours of pediatric
pharmacology.

3. Please describe the typical day to day activities of someone working in your field.
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ISM PERIOD 7
(day-to-day activities)
1st thing: You come in the morning for the morning report, which is from the night doctor, which
shows the babies and moms blood types, you will make sure they got treated right, you will see
the isolette, the bilirubin, see the change in glucose and more.
2nd thing: After that you would then define the many different roles, like the nurse practioner
who will do the term nursing, the nurse practioner who will work with the rest of the team, etc.
3rd: You would then split up which baby goes to which nurse practioner.
4th: You would then do rounds and update parents, and if there is a case, do discharge, do
circumcisions, and update the report if there is anything new.
5th: You would just update the mother through the day and coordinate with everyone about how
to work well together and notify the physician if there is any information needed.
6th: If there is any free time nurse practioners will work on their projects assigned by the
hospital (For example- My mentor needs to update her epics.) They can also work on updating
their DOBLS, NRPs, and PALS.

4. How secure are you in your current position? What do you think is the future of your
field?
(job security)
The job security at UTMB is really secure. They are really important because they have
autonomy, they educate future nurses and residents, they go and help out in delivery, and they do
what the doctors cant do. They can work anywhere besides the hospital because they can teach,
work at clinics, work at pharmacies, etc.
Some states require Nurse Practioners to get a doctorate degree, so Texas might have to get them
soon.

5. What satisfaction do you find in your job? At the end of the day, do you find being a
nurse practioner rewarding?
Yes, I can provide education for family, coordinate care, find resources, help out parents with
grief or counselling. It feels rewarding to help people, and how to help people take care of a
baby. It makes me feel proud when I do a good circumcision. It feels so rewarding.

6. What potential for growth is there in your field?

(growth potential)
Nurse practioners can work as a nurse or a nurse practioner as long as they keep up with their
requirements. They can work anywhere, so if they get bored with their job, they can always work
in another area. They can also teach other new nurse practioners anything as well.

***Questions 7-10 will be created by the ISM student.

7. Why did you choose to be a pediatric nurse practioner?
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ISM PERIOD 7
I was an RN, and I was ready to advance to the next level. I chose to be a pediatric nurse
practioner because I love children and I felt more autonomy in being one as well as wanting a
more flexible schedule.

8. When you are faced with an unfamiliar task, what do you do typically do?
I look at the protocol and instructions. I then get my supplies ready, as well as asking colleagues
for help and advice.

9. How do you handle disagreements and conflicts with fellow coworkers or doctors?
You need to figure a way and try not to escalate it. Do not get anyone who involved in the
conflict involved in the situation. You would go to the office to talk things out and ALWAYS
make sure to never fight in front of patients or babies. Sometimes, you will need to get someone
to intervene.

10. Have you ever experienced something unethical or unprofessional at work, and how did
you handle it?
At times, people ask for a prescription from me, even when they are not my patient. They might
be 30, even though my patients are 0-21 years old. I refuse to prescribe them if they are not on
my patient chart. I can give them some advice on what to do, but in the end, they need to get a
follow up from a doctor.

Interview Summary
What information from this interview will you select for your page typed, bulleted list of
research informationto be used in your presentation? Create a bulleted summary list on the
next page.
 Bethany Castronuevo 4
ISM PERIOD 7
Working with newborns isnt all just changing diapers, holding babies, and cradling
them. Its a lot more checking up on them, and making sure they are not sick.
arent just caring for the babies. Have to take care of the mother.
Just because you are working with newborns doesnt mean that its less work
You have to be a patient person because youre not just doing rounds. You have to teach
the family as well.
Theres a lot of planning that goes on as well. Discharge is planned from the beginning
with the babies plans when they have future doctors appointments.
Lots of studying is required in order to be an PNP
You also have to do outside activities besides the job you do in the hospital.
Nurse practioners are really vital because they do so much in the hospital
NPS are somewhat like doctors
Helping out people feels really rewarding
You have to do a lot, and you dont really get to rest
Every nurse practioner is really important
You have to be really good at explaining
There are many objectives that need to get finished
NPS have a really flexible schedule, compared to a normal nurse
NPS can find a job mostly anywhere
You always have to follow the rules and protocol because it is really important for the
nurses and patients safety.
You always have to stay level headed and calm because that is professional and classy.