Interview a Health Professional
I interviewed Margie Milliner.
Education: She earned an associate degree in nursing in 1970 New York, was a licensed registered nurse at that time. Then she got her bachelor’s in nursing at Geroge Mason University in 1983. Then she went back for her master’s in health promotion and education at Trinty College in 1999.
- What inspired him/her to get into that field
I asked Margie what inspired her in going into the health field. She said that she was inspired at a very young age. She when she was little, she used to live next to a hospital in Manhattan, NY called Joint Disease Hospital School of Nursing. She would see the nurse walking by in their scrubs, she saw how professional they looked. How they all carried themselves. She wanted to be like them. Her mother also inspired her saying that it was a good job for her that she would fit the job perfectly.
- What was his/her path to his/her current job
She recently retired from being a Public Health nurse. She worked in public health for over 35 years. She was a surgical nurse, geriatric nurse, and taught classes to nursing assistants. Then moved to Georgia. She wanted to give back to the community. She volunteers at Hands of Hope charity for people who are insured. Teaching wellness classes.
- Basic roles and responsibilities
She said that being a nurse is a very hands-on job. As in giving treatment, injection, taking the patient blood pressure. Educating the patients on the right thing to do. Making appointments for patients. Taking to the doctors. Interacting with the patient’s family. The most important thing is to be a support and advocate for the person being cared for.
- His/her favorite (or most rewarding) aspect about the job
Margie’s favorite aspect of being a nurse is seeing positives outcomes of the patients she cared for. Educating them, directing them, and encouraging them. Many patients came back thanking her for guiding them and giving them support. She made an impact in peoples lives and the community.
- What is the most surprising aspect of their career
She was surprised that she would end up loving what she is doing. She became a mentor to a lot of nurses.
- What is the most challenging aspect of their career
The most challenging aspect of being a nurse Margie said was keeping up with all the patients and all their needs. There was a lot of training to maintain current and up to date with the new requirements and regulations.
- Advice he/she would give to someone getting into the health field
The advice she would give to anyone that wants to go into the health field make sure you like what you are doing. Knowing how to work and care for different types of people. Not everyone is the same. It is a good stable profession to be in but there are always things changing. Always look for something new to learn. Challenge yourself to be the best you can be and do it with a good heart