Informational Interview

Camilla Dinkins
CLSS 2100
April 2, 2011
Informational Interview
I interviewed Laura Berg, who is a Registered Nurse at American Fork Hospital’s Emergency Room.
1. How did you decide to become an RN, and what steps did you take to enter the field?

After 20 years of marriage and giving birth to six children, I ended up getting divorced, and decided to go back to school so I could provide for my family. Throughout my marriage, I spent a lot of time in a hospital, birthing my children and caring for my daughter who had cancer. Whenever I was in a hospital, I just had a gut feeling that someday I would work in a hospital. I have always loved science, and I enjoy caring for others. So I attended nursing school and at the age of 39, became a registered nurse.

I attended Salt Lake Community College for my general and prerequisite requirements, and then completed my ASN at the Davis Applied Technology Center at Weber State University. I am now just two classes away from getting my Bachelor’s degree.

2. What are the tasks you do in a typical work day?
I work in an Emergency Room. Sometimes I work as a Triage Nurse and sometimes as a Floor Nurse in the Emergency Room. When I do triage, I take vitals and do a visual assessment of patients, try to determine the severity of their condition and assign them to the correct room. As a Floor Nurse, I instruct the patient to put on a hospital gown, collect urine samples, take blood, and discuss their symptoms with them and treat them. I work with all ages, from premature babies, to elderly patients.

3. What do you find most satisfying about your job?
In the Emergency Room I am constantly learning new things, because we treat such a wide variety of patients and conditions. I also enjoy having a close-knit group of nurses I work with. They become like family to me. We deal with a lot of tragedy, and we support each other through that.

4. What do you find most challenging about your job?
It is very mentally and physically taxing. I work 12 hour shifts. I am completely drained when I get home. I also have to spend a lot of time calming people down, (patients and their family members) and that is very emotionally draining.

5. What types of stress do you encounter in your work?
The hard work and long hours. Being responsible for saving lives. Knowing that if you make a mistake it could be very serious. Dealing with the arrogance and moodiness of some doctors.

6. What personal qualities do you feel are important in your work? Why?
Integrity, Honesty, conscientiousness, hard work, genuinely caring about people These are all vital qualities that you need every day when working as a nurse.

7. What kinds of continuing education requirements do you have to meet?
Your RN license must be renewed every two years. You must meet requirements for clinical hours as well as taking some continuing education classes. In addition, workplaces usually require specialty certifications. In the ER there are five additional certificates needed.

8. What advice would you give to someone considering a career in Nursing?
Nursing is a very good, diverse career. There is so much variety and so many options that you can easily find a niche you are comfortable in. You may need to take a job that is less desirable when you are right out of school, but take it, and gain valuable experience, and have something to add to your resume, then you can work your way toward your dream job. It is very hard work, but very worth it in the end. In school, there are three things I would suggest in order to get an A in your classes. Don’t ever miss class, take very good notes, and go to all the study groups. Also, pay more attention to your notes than to your textbook.



I learned a lot about what a career in nursing is really like from this interview. I think Laura will be an important person to have in my network, as she is a very experienced nurse who knows a lot of people in the field. To prepare for this interview, I spent a lot of time planning what questions to ask, so I will really get information that will help me make a decision about whether or not to pursue this career. I will definitely use this process again throughout the process of deciding on a major and preparing for a career.