Korrie McFarlane

1. What is your background?

a. Started at GRCC then transferred to Grand Valley
b. Graduated with BSN
c. Started working at Spectrum OB 12 years
i. Complicated pregnancies
ii. Multiples
iii. Preterm
iv. Mom and baby care
d. Then went to home visit Welcome Home Baby Kenty County
i. Teaching postpartum baby
ii. Breastfeeding support
e. 2013 started in KCTC
f. Clinical for GVSU rotations
g. Filled in offices
h. Cholesterol Screening
2. Why did you get into this field?
a. As a kid she would be interested in medical things
b. Brother was type 1 diabetic at the age of 7 and she was 12
i. She would help him so he wouldn’t be sad
ii. She gave her brother insulin injection
iii. She liked helping her brother
c. In high school enjoyed classes pertaining to the human body
i. Biology
ii. Anatomy
iii. Physiology
3. What are the things you find personally rewarding in your career?
a. Running into people at the store and them remembering that you were there
b. Seeing them smile
c. Compassion towards people
d. Making the patients day
e. Feeling like you did a difference
f. Being in patient’s biggest moment of life
g. No two days are the same the routine changes
4. What are the things you find frustrating or disappointing?
a. Coworkers
i. You need all their help
ii. They won’t always have your back
b. Patient to nurse ratio
i. Too many patients
ii. Race to give them care
iii. Not enough attention
5. If your job were suddenly eliminated what other kinds of work could you do? (Different
avenues you could take)
a. Teach nursing
i. Technical Center
ii. Clinicals
iii. College
b. Home visits
i. One on one with people
ii. Different environments
c. Anything in health department
d. Hospice
e. Doctor Office
f. Medical supplier
g. Work giving flu shots in pharmacies
6. What was the most surprising part of your transition from high school/college to work?
a. In nursing school you learn it one way and in the hospital another
b. You have to be flexible
c. Go with the flow
d. You get the basics in college
e. You get orientation in each floor by other nurses
f. New techniques
g. You find something new in the hospital
7. What advice do you have for someone planning to start a career in this field?
a. Try not to get frustrated
b. Don’t give up
c. Don’t get overwhelmed
i. Try to get one thing done at a time
d. Study time
i. Set aside time to get prepared
e. Get it done the 1st time
f. Note cards
g. Know when you need a break/relax
h. Figure out if you really will make it in this career
8. What do you see as the biggest challenges new graduates face when they enter your
industry?
a. Find a job
i. High demand of nurses
b. Change from textbook to real life work
c. Being flexible
d. Don’t be hard on yourself
e. You will learn so much in the beginning it may be frustrating
f. Perfectionist
i. Ask questions
 ii. There's always something new
g. Don’t get confident
i. Your dealing with a person’s life you can’t always get too confident
ii. You will learn something new from each patient
9. What are some important characteristics for a person entering into this field? What are
employees looking for?
a. Reliable
b. Flexible
c. Team player
d. Organized
e. Compassionate/empathetic
f. Problem solver
g. Critical thinking
10. What kind of extracurricular activities would volunteer experience would be beneficial?
a. In a hospital
b. Organization
c. Make awareness over a disease
i. Participate
11. How has the field changed since you first started your career?
a. More of a need of nurses in hospital
i. More competitive
b. Technology
i. Computers
ii. Machines
iii. Charting online
c. More patient less time
i. Less time for each patient
ii. You don’t interact with them
12. How did you find your first job after graduation?
a. Newspaper
b. Job posting
i. Worked her way up after once getting in there
13. What role does networking play, if any, to help break into this field?
a. It’s important
b. Facebook and linkedin
i. You meet new people
ii. People can get you into jobs
iii. References
iv. Met people that helped her get the job at kctc
v. Favors
14. Are there any professionals in your network that you would suggest I talk to?
a. KCTC
i. Mrs. Wheeler
 ii. Mrs. Jones
iii. Mrs. Ford
b. Depends on your field
i. Once you get into the hospital and you do rotations you’ll be able to talk to
people

Linda Ford
1. What is your background?
a. Geriatric psychiatric nurse
i. Worked in Forest View for 24 years
b. BSN in nursing
c. MSN in nursing
2. Why did you get into this field?
a. Mom and sister are nurses
b. Wanted to be a nurse or teacher since in elementary
c. Enjoyed science classes in high school
i. Physiology
ii. Anatomy
iii. Biology
3. What are the things you find personally rewarding in your career?
a. Helping people
b. Being around older people
i. They have a lot to share and teach us
4. What are the things you find frustrating or disappointing?
a. Not enough staff
b. Not being able to give the best quality care
5. If your job were suddenly eliminated what other kinds of work could you do? (Different
avenues you could take)
a. Veterinarian/Vet tech
b. Love working with animals
6. What was the most surprising part of your transition from high school/college to work?
a. Making decisions
b. You don’t have your instructor to check with
c. Dosage of medicine
7. What advice do you have for someone planning to start a career in this field?
a. Start working as a Nurse Assistant after high school if you able
b. Know what you want to do after high school
c. Have confidence
d. Get into the field as soon as possible
8. What do you see as the biggest challenges new graduates face when they enter your
industry?
a. Such a need for registered nurses and certified nurse assistants
i. Easy to get overworked
 b. Constantly working extra time
i. Cover shifts
c. Don’t give enough time for yourself
i. Wears you out easily
d. Learn to relax
9. What are some important characteristics for a person entering into this field? What are
employees looking for?
a. Someone who can easily talk
b. Dedicative
c. Patience
i. Patients may take it out on you
ii. Don’t take things personal
d. Dependable and Reliable
i. Be there on time
ii. Show up
10. What kind of extracurricular activities would volunteer experience would be beneficial?
a. Volunteer in the hospital
i. While in high school
b. Volunteer in anything where you can help people out
11. How has the field changed since you first started your career?
a. Technology
i. They use to handwrite notes and vital signs would have to be done
manually
ii. Results come back quicker by the computer
b. Discharge people quicker
i. Patients are sent home after surgery in same day
ii. IV’s can go home
c. Insurance
12. How did you find your first job after graduation?
a. Sister worked in a hospital
i. Applied in the same hospital
b. Application weren’t available online
13. What role does networking play, if any, to help break into this field?
a. It’s a huge part
i. You get into a job much quicker
ii. Easier to get the hang of the job
14. Are there any professionals in your network that you would suggest I talk to?
a. Not really just get in the hospital and talk to people
b. You could go to any hospital and any CNA could talk about their experience
i. Starting off as a CNA is a great foundation