4 answers
Gurleen
Student
1
Question
Updated
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Any Medical professional person and answer these for me!! ?
Any Medical professional person and answer these for me!!
I know i have to do on call but if it's possible someone can answer these for me in chat I would really appreciate it. Thank you
Interview Guidelines
Make contact with a current professional in the career of your choice. Gather the following information:
a. Name of professional:
b. Place of employment:
c. Job Title:
How did you get into this career?
What does a typical day entail?
What are the rewards that you experience working in this career?
What are the challenges that you experience working in this career?
What are important skills someone should have if they want to have this career?
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to get into this career?
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4 answers
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
257
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
a. Name of professional: James H. Hanson, M.D.
b. Place of employment: Retired (from UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland)
c. Job Title: Pediatric intensivist
How did you get into this career? Job counselors suggested I consider becoming a physician. Fortunately for me, my oldest brother was a family practice doctor while I was in college, and I had the opportunity to follow him through his work for several weeks. That solidified my interest in the profession. Once in medical school, I had a hard time deciding which of the many wonderful options of specialty I would pursue. Ultimately I picked pediatrics. During residency, I also considered many specialties, but decided on intensive care, and am happy I made that choice.
What does a typical day entail? In most Pediatric ICUs, a physician with my credentials is needed on site 24/7. Therefore, I worked during the day (about 07:00-19:00) Monday-Friday 1/3 of the weeks. I worked 24-hour weekend/holiday shifts 1/6 of those days, and 18:00-08:00 overnights every sixth night, on the average. The number of days, nights, and weekends is variable across the country, and those who do research or administrative roles may work far fewer of these direct patient care shifts. Work is a combination of direct patient care, teaching, documentation, and collaboration with others.
What are the rewards that you experience working in this career? Truly and actually saving the lives of critically ill and injured children. Getting to work with wonderful, caring, dedicated people. Developing systems of care to enhance patient outcomes and experiences.
What are the challenges that you experience working in this career? The long hours and high stress do wear on one. Although when a patient dies it is always very sad, you realize you aren't expected to save everyone. Still, it is emotionally taxing.
What are important skills someone should have if they want to have this career? You must be a leader. You need to be a life-long learner who is always trying to stay ahead of the literature to provide the best possible care as science progresses. You should be a scientist who understands the scientific method and how to do high-quality studies to learn what better care can be. You must communicate well and empathetically. You have to become good at procedures, so need manual dexterity.
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to get into this career? Become an excellent student/learner. Listen to others and consider many perspectives on how others think and feel. Try to find ways to experience intensive care, such as becoming an EMT/paramedic or ED tech. Shadow in person if you can (that can be a difficult challenge due to patient privacy laws and such). Don't make up your mind about what you want to do/become without lots of exploration of other possibilities. To put so much effort and time into being an intensive care physician without liking what you are doing would be a big shame (but it certainly does happen).
b. Place of employment: Retired (from UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland)
c. Job Title: Pediatric intensivist
How did you get into this career? Job counselors suggested I consider becoming a physician. Fortunately for me, my oldest brother was a family practice doctor while I was in college, and I had the opportunity to follow him through his work for several weeks. That solidified my interest in the profession. Once in medical school, I had a hard time deciding which of the many wonderful options of specialty I would pursue. Ultimately I picked pediatrics. During residency, I also considered many specialties, but decided on intensive care, and am happy I made that choice.
What does a typical day entail? In most Pediatric ICUs, a physician with my credentials is needed on site 24/7. Therefore, I worked during the day (about 07:00-19:00) Monday-Friday 1/3 of the weeks. I worked 24-hour weekend/holiday shifts 1/6 of those days, and 18:00-08:00 overnights every sixth night, on the average. The number of days, nights, and weekends is variable across the country, and those who do research or administrative roles may work far fewer of these direct patient care shifts. Work is a combination of direct patient care, teaching, documentation, and collaboration with others.
What are the rewards that you experience working in this career? Truly and actually saving the lives of critically ill and injured children. Getting to work with wonderful, caring, dedicated people. Developing systems of care to enhance patient outcomes and experiences.
What are the challenges that you experience working in this career? The long hours and high stress do wear on one. Although when a patient dies it is always very sad, you realize you aren't expected to save everyone. Still, it is emotionally taxing.
What are important skills someone should have if they want to have this career? You must be a leader. You need to be a life-long learner who is always trying to stay ahead of the literature to provide the best possible care as science progresses. You should be a scientist who understands the scientific method and how to do high-quality studies to learn what better care can be. You must communicate well and empathetically. You have to become good at procedures, so need manual dexterity.
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to get into this career? Become an excellent student/learner. Listen to others and consider many perspectives on how others think and feel. Try to find ways to experience intensive care, such as becoming an EMT/paramedic or ED tech. Shadow in person if you can (that can be a difficult challenge due to patient privacy laws and such). Don't make up your mind about what you want to do/become without lots of exploration of other possibilities. To put so much effort and time into being an intensive care physician without liking what you are doing would be a big shame (but it certainly does happen).
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Gurleen
Alexander Verma
Physician - neurologist
13
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Alexander’s Answer
a. Name of professional: Alex Verma, MD PhD
b. Place of employment: University of Colorado Anschutz
c. Job Title: Physician - Neurologist - Vascular Neurology Fellow
How did you get into this career?
I knew I wanted to go into medical school from a young age. I love life sciences, I love problem solving, and I love helping people. During undergraduate I did a lot of research in a lab specializing in molecular biology and found I enjoyed basic sciences as well, so I applied for a dual MD/PhD program. When I started medical school I wanted to be a cancer doctor and did research focused on cancer physiology. However, early on I encountered a very experienced neurologist who sparked my interest in neurology. I ended up doing my neurology residency at a program that focuses heavily on stroke and really enjoyed everything about stroke management. I decided to take an extra year of training to specialize in stroke care (aka a fellowship), which I'm finishing up now.
What does a typical day entail?
My day as a fellow is a little atypical for a doctor. When I'm on the stroke service, I wake up around 530 AM. While I'm helping get myself and my family ready for the day, I review patient charts for the patients on our service as well as any I might have heard about while on call overnight. I arrive at the hospital early to review charts before going to discuss patients with the rest of the team. We review their images and lab findings, discus treatment plans, discuss where they will go after they leave the hospital, and what needs they might have when they leave. We then walk around the hospital to see the patients in person, which is called rounds. After rounds, the residents write notes while I review patient charts i more detail and work on personal projects. In the afternoon I am on call waiting for stroke alerts to be paged out. When a stroke alert is paged out the team goes to examine the patient and get scans, then we discuss if we think someone is having a stroke and what treatment options we can give. I might also have clinic in the afternoon or I may have meetings. Once a week I am on call, meaning I answer phone calls from home overnight on patients who might have a stroke. Most stroke doctors at my institution work 7 days straight with call for 3 nights during that week, during their off week they usually focus on things like teaching and administrative tasks.
What are the rewards that you experience working in this career?
There is obviously the satisfaction of helping someone get better. I work in a teaching hospital and so I get the reward of teaching residents and medical students. I enjoy thinking about the brain and pinpointing which part exactly is affected, which is its own reward.
What are the challenges that you experience working in this career?
The hours are long, and especially with stroke care your sleep suffers when you are on service. It's easy to bring stress home from work and that can affect your relationship with friends and family. The intellectual demands are high. As a fellow I am shielded somewhat if I make a bad decision and it affects a patient, but at some point it's your responsibility if you miss an important detail or if a patient suffers harm under your care. It is not uncommon to have patients either die or have serious disability that we cannot fix. Some patients have home situations that make their recovery very difficult and these cannot be fixed either. Some patients and families can be challenging too. One of the hardest things you can do as a doctor is realize you have limited control over a patient's health without becoming cynical or giving in to despair.
What are important skills someone should have if they want to have this career?
Good communication skills, organization, emotional resilience, teamwork skills, intellectual curiosity, the ability to multitask, leadership skills, good writing skills, empathy.
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to get into this career?
A good attitude, willingness to learn, and intellectual curiosity will get you far. Try to learn something new every day and remember why you're doing it. Being a doctor pays well but it takes a long time to get there and you will spend a lot of time, money, and effort to get there that you could have otherwise spent building up your finances and enjoying your youth. If you want to do medicine, do it because you want to be a doctor and not because you want to make a fortune. Also, not all doctors take call but you will have to do at least some during residency.
b. Place of employment: University of Colorado Anschutz
c. Job Title: Physician - Neurologist - Vascular Neurology Fellow
How did you get into this career?
I knew I wanted to go into medical school from a young age. I love life sciences, I love problem solving, and I love helping people. During undergraduate I did a lot of research in a lab specializing in molecular biology and found I enjoyed basic sciences as well, so I applied for a dual MD/PhD program. When I started medical school I wanted to be a cancer doctor and did research focused on cancer physiology. However, early on I encountered a very experienced neurologist who sparked my interest in neurology. I ended up doing my neurology residency at a program that focuses heavily on stroke and really enjoyed everything about stroke management. I decided to take an extra year of training to specialize in stroke care (aka a fellowship), which I'm finishing up now.
What does a typical day entail?
My day as a fellow is a little atypical for a doctor. When I'm on the stroke service, I wake up around 530 AM. While I'm helping get myself and my family ready for the day, I review patient charts for the patients on our service as well as any I might have heard about while on call overnight. I arrive at the hospital early to review charts before going to discuss patients with the rest of the team. We review their images and lab findings, discus treatment plans, discuss where they will go after they leave the hospital, and what needs they might have when they leave. We then walk around the hospital to see the patients in person, which is called rounds. After rounds, the residents write notes while I review patient charts i more detail and work on personal projects. In the afternoon I am on call waiting for stroke alerts to be paged out. When a stroke alert is paged out the team goes to examine the patient and get scans, then we discuss if we think someone is having a stroke and what treatment options we can give. I might also have clinic in the afternoon or I may have meetings. Once a week I am on call, meaning I answer phone calls from home overnight on patients who might have a stroke. Most stroke doctors at my institution work 7 days straight with call for 3 nights during that week, during their off week they usually focus on things like teaching and administrative tasks.
What are the rewards that you experience working in this career?
There is obviously the satisfaction of helping someone get better. I work in a teaching hospital and so I get the reward of teaching residents and medical students. I enjoy thinking about the brain and pinpointing which part exactly is affected, which is its own reward.
What are the challenges that you experience working in this career?
The hours are long, and especially with stroke care your sleep suffers when you are on service. It's easy to bring stress home from work and that can affect your relationship with friends and family. The intellectual demands are high. As a fellow I am shielded somewhat if I make a bad decision and it affects a patient, but at some point it's your responsibility if you miss an important detail or if a patient suffers harm under your care. It is not uncommon to have patients either die or have serious disability that we cannot fix. Some patients have home situations that make their recovery very difficult and these cannot be fixed either. Some patients and families can be challenging too. One of the hardest things you can do as a doctor is realize you have limited control over a patient's health without becoming cynical or giving in to despair.
What are important skills someone should have if they want to have this career?
Good communication skills, organization, emotional resilience, teamwork skills, intellectual curiosity, the ability to multitask, leadership skills, good writing skills, empathy.
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to get into this career?
A good attitude, willingness to learn, and intellectual curiosity will get you far. Try to learn something new every day and remember why you're doing it. Being a doctor pays well but it takes a long time to get there and you will spend a lot of time, money, and effort to get there that you could have otherwise spent building up your finances and enjoying your youth. If you want to do medicine, do it because you want to be a doctor and not because you want to make a fortune. Also, not all doctors take call but you will have to do at least some during residency.
Maria Gamez
Material Master Data Specialist
6
Answers
San José, Costa Rica
Updated
Maria’s Answer
a. Name of professional: Maria Gamez
b. Place of employment: HP Inc. (Corporate role) / Healthcare background
c. Job Title: Registered Nurse (RN)
How did you get into this career?
I became interested in nursing because I wanted a career where I could help people in a meaningful way. I studied nursing in school, completed my clinical training, and passed my licensing exam to become a Registered Nurse. Along the way, I learned that nursing offers many different paths and opportunities to grow.
What does a typical day entail?
A typical day as a nurse involves caring for patients, monitoring their condition, administering medications, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, and making sure patients feel safe and supported. Every day can be different depending on the setting, which is one of the things that makes healthcare interesting.
What are the rewards that you experience working in this career?
One of the biggest rewards is knowing that your work makes a real difference in people’s lives. Helping someone feel better, supporting patients and families during difficult moments, and being part of a healthcare team is very fulfilling.
What are the challenges that you experience working in this career?
Nursing can be physically and emotionally demanding. Long hours, high responsibility, and caring for people during stressful situations can be challenging. Learning how to manage stress and take care of yourself is very important in this career.
What are important skills someone should have if they want to have this career?
good communication, empathy, critical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Time management and teamwork are also very important in healthcare.
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to get into this career?
My advice is to take it one step at a time, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Healthcare offers many different career paths, so stay open to learning and growing as you discover what area interests you most.
b. Place of employment: HP Inc. (Corporate role) / Healthcare background
c. Job Title: Registered Nurse (RN)
How did you get into this career?
I became interested in nursing because I wanted a career where I could help people in a meaningful way. I studied nursing in school, completed my clinical training, and passed my licensing exam to become a Registered Nurse. Along the way, I learned that nursing offers many different paths and opportunities to grow.
What does a typical day entail?
A typical day as a nurse involves caring for patients, monitoring their condition, administering medications, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, and making sure patients feel safe and supported. Every day can be different depending on the setting, which is one of the things that makes healthcare interesting.
What are the rewards that you experience working in this career?
One of the biggest rewards is knowing that your work makes a real difference in people’s lives. Helping someone feel better, supporting patients and families during difficult moments, and being part of a healthcare team is very fulfilling.
What are the challenges that you experience working in this career?
Nursing can be physically and emotionally demanding. Long hours, high responsibility, and caring for people during stressful situations can be challenging. Learning how to manage stress and take care of yourself is very important in this career.
What are important skills someone should have if they want to have this career?
good communication, empathy, critical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Time management and teamwork are also very important in healthcare.
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to get into this career?
My advice is to take it one step at a time, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Healthcare offers many different career paths, so stay open to learning and growing as you discover what area interests you most.
Imani Reece
Pediatric Registered Nurse
2
Answers
Charlotte, North Carolina
Updated
Imani’s Answer
a. Name of professional: Pediatric Behavioral and Mental Health Registered Nurse
b. Place of employment: Levine Children’s Hospital
c. Job Title: Registered Nurse
How did you get into this career?
I have sickle cell disease so I grew up in and out of the hospital. Nurses took care of me and made my time at the hospital easier. I knew that’s what I wanted to do.
What does a typical day entail?
I work night shift. So I come in at 630-645 pm. I get report at 7 and do my initial rounds on my patients. From 7-8 I review their charts. At 8 pm I do medication administration for my patients then I chart my assessments. From 8-11 pm ranges from interacting with my patients or assisting with de-escalation when needed. If I’m charge nurse I oversee the unit and assist anyone who needs it.
What are the rewards that you experience working in this career?
Working in psych I get to be a resource for patients and help provide tools that can help them. I can be a source of happiness, support, and even love at times. But being a nurse means I help people and it’s a wonderful feeling!
What are the challenges that you experience working in this career?
Sometimes patients can get hostile and want to harm you. I’ve seen nurses and other staff get severely hurt. I’ve experienced the “nurses eat their young” narrative and it can be discouraging. Sometimes executive decisions at the higher levels negatively impact staff and patients and it’s not much you can do.
What are important skills someone should have if they want to have this career?
To be successful you must be a critical thinker, you must possess compassion and empathy always. You must have a strong moral compass. You must know how to manage good mental health for yourself and others. You must be approachable and of course very smart. Especially in math and science
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to get into this career?
Figure out what kind of learner you are. It helps once you get into nursing school. Do not do this career because of the money. Become a nurse for the right reason!
b. Place of employment: Levine Children’s Hospital
c. Job Title: Registered Nurse
How did you get into this career?
I have sickle cell disease so I grew up in and out of the hospital. Nurses took care of me and made my time at the hospital easier. I knew that’s what I wanted to do.
What does a typical day entail?
I work night shift. So I come in at 630-645 pm. I get report at 7 and do my initial rounds on my patients. From 7-8 I review their charts. At 8 pm I do medication administration for my patients then I chart my assessments. From 8-11 pm ranges from interacting with my patients or assisting with de-escalation when needed. If I’m charge nurse I oversee the unit and assist anyone who needs it.
What are the rewards that you experience working in this career?
Working in psych I get to be a resource for patients and help provide tools that can help them. I can be a source of happiness, support, and even love at times. But being a nurse means I help people and it’s a wonderful feeling!
What are the challenges that you experience working in this career?
Sometimes patients can get hostile and want to harm you. I’ve seen nurses and other staff get severely hurt. I’ve experienced the “nurses eat their young” narrative and it can be discouraging. Sometimes executive decisions at the higher levels negatively impact staff and patients and it’s not much you can do.
What are important skills someone should have if they want to have this career?
To be successful you must be a critical thinker, you must possess compassion and empathy always. You must have a strong moral compass. You must know how to manage good mental health for yourself and others. You must be approachable and of course very smart. Especially in math and science
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to get into this career?
Figure out what kind of learner you are. It helps once you get into nursing school. Do not do this career because of the money. Become a nurse for the right reason!