ISM- MENTOR INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

Student Name: Kiana Peek Period:6th

Printed Name of Person Interviewed: Barbara Greb

Role of Individual:
__X__Mentor
Place/Name of Business: UTMB Pediatric Unit

Business Address: 301 8th St, Galveston, TX 77550

Phone Number: 512-650-7225

Date of Interview: 11/9/18

Type of Interview: __X__ In Person

1. For someone working in your field, please describe the fantasies versus realities of the job.
(fantasy vs. reality)
The fantasy is that everyday I go to work to help a patient and the family heal and get better. That I provide
comfort and care to improve their outcome and every goes home happy and healed. The reality of it si that some
patients are sick and have illnesses or diseases they will not get better from. The reality that some families don’t
know how to deal with the pain and loss and will lash out at you even though it is not your fault for their
condition. You have to be strong when someone dies or deals with a devastating diagnosis you need to help the
patient as well as their family and yourself to accept and deal with the relatives.

2. What is your current educational level? What continuing education and training are required?
(educational level and requirements)
I have an associate in nursing. I have a RN license and am required to have 20 continuing education units (CEU)
per 2-year period to maintain it. I have a pediatric certification that requires me to have 10 CEU per year t to
maintain it. I am certified chemo nurse and am required to complete a bio/chemo course every 2years to keep
certification.

3. Please describe the typical day to day activities of someone working in your field.
(day-to-day activities)
A typical day for me I arrive at work at 6:45am and receive report for the off going RN on my patient assignment.
If I am in charge that day I will also receive a report from the night shift RN on any expected admissions,
surgeries, or any issues with the unit or patients and/or family members for that day. I will check my orders on
the computer for each patient and prioritize my care accordingly. Once I receive report I will check on my
patients which is usually 3 to 4 depending on the census. I perform my head to toe assessment and administer any
medications scheduled or needed. I will help with baths and any wound care that needs to be performed and
check vital signs for any abnormalities and continue care throughout the day. I will make rounds with the doctors
on my patients and give any input that may be useful in their care. I will keep the doctor updated throughout the
day. I also make sure patients get up and move if so prescribed and keep track of their input and output (I&O)

Revised Fall 2017

amounts. I will document all findings and assessments in my charting. Assess I&O and IV sites every two hours,
and vital signs (v/s) every four hours along with pain scores. At the end of my shift I will then give a shift report
to the on coming RN.

4. How secure are you in your current position? What do you think is the future of your field?
(job security)
I feel very secure in my field at this time. Bedside nursing is usually the last place to cut when making budget cut
backs. Nursing as a whole is a secure field because it is so diverse that you have many options to work with.
Inpatient, clinic, triage, anesthesia, doctor offices, private duty, travel nursing, teaching, administration, work for
insurance company, medical representative, etc. The future of nursing is secure and solid. Many become nurse
practitioners and work for doctors in rural areas that have limited access.

5. What is a typical (average or lowest to highest) salary of someone working in your field?
(salary)
My mentor did not answer this question but according t google this is it. Typical salary for pediatric nurse in
Texas is $59,000/year.

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

(growth potential)
There is great potential for growth as I sited previously. Many doctors in rural areas are using nurses and nurse
practitioners to help with the patient load and care. More hospitals are being built for specialty care and an aging
population. That’s why I believe this career field has room for growth.

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

7. What is hardest part of your job?

It is when I feel helpless for instance when I am trying to help either patient or their family with something that
can not be healed. Also, when I am helping a patient’s family or friends to get over a loss that took place at the
hospital or prior to them coming into John Sealy.

8. What would you do if you could do something different?

I don’t think I would do anything different with my career choice. But if I did do something different I would
probably work in a bakery because I have wanted to own one since I was little. And to this day I love to bake
especially during the holidays with my family.

9. How long have you been in your field?

I have been working with UTMB at john Sealy hospital as a pediatric nurse on the 9th floor for twenty-six years
now. I have only worked here as a pediatric nurse. I did work at Texas Children Hospital before going to UTMB.

10. What do you like about where your work and would you want to work anywhere else?
I like working where I work with UTMB at john Sealy because it has all the different specialties on one unit and
one floor which can be crammed, but if I had to choose I would probably go back to being a pediatric
hematology/oncology nurse at Texas Children Hospital.

Revised Fall 2017

 Interview Summary
What information from this interview will you select for your ½ page typed,
bulleted list of research information—to be used in your presentation?
Interview SummaryCreate
Lista bulleted summary list on the next page.

 I will mostly include her view on what being a Pediatric Nurse is really about. Also, how she
believes there is growth to be made in the field of pediatrics and nursing in general. Because they are
always needed. Lastly, I would put how most nurses become practitioners and work in rural areas for
doctors.

Revised Fall 2017