Jennifer Luper is a DNN health worker in Upper Saddle, New Jersey. She holds a Masters Degree in pediatric nursing. However she has since changed to health work as she claims to have more satisfaction there. I chose to interview She comes out as a very interesting person who is also dedicated to her work. Luper since based on her experience, she seemed very resourceful.
DNN Health Worker, Upper Saddle, New Jersey
1. Why are you interested in health work?
“It has been in my interest to support and help people who are not able to access basic and primary health care. Thus as a health worker I am convinced that I have a profession and not just a job or employment. And the fact that I am able to accept the pay of a health worker which is not good, justifies my willingness and the degree of my interest in health work.”
2. Before becoming a health worker, did you have any other career?, and if so how did you
manage to change your career?
I have a master’s degree in Pediatric Nursing, but I opted to change to health work. It was not easy changing may career though, but having been motivated with my core value, helping others, I found it easy to contribute to other peoples life.
3. Where did you go to school?
I attended Michigan Institute of Tech for both my undergrad and post grad
4. How do your day at work looks like? Before changing from pediatric, I worked from Monday to Friday with alternating night shifts after every fortnight. But today I work on Monday, Tuesday and Friday during the day only.
5. Is there any job pressure? And if there is, how do you manage the pressure resulting from your work?
There is too much pressure in this job, however it is easy to manage the pressure resulting from this job since I am self motivated and the job is more of volunteering and contributing into others lives.
6. Are there any professional developments in this job?
I will admit that the opportunities for growth in this field are very few. But for career growth they are endless because after I completed my post grad four years ago I thought I had completed my studies. However due to demands in this field I have consistently pursued diploma courses in community work and health related fields.
7. Is this field growing, and if so explain to me the level of growth?
Definitely this field is not static. With the increase in the number of people needing care I find it challenging for the few health workers to manage the work demand in the near future.
8. Is the job security of this profession guaranteed? Please explain to me why you think so?
One job and profession that has job security for sure is a health workers job. The reason is obvious, with many people needing care and the few health workers; job security is not a question or an issue to worry about. Haha
9. Can you be a health worker for the rest of your life?
Of course no, I hope one day I will retire, but before that day, I will do all that I can to remain in the health work as long as I can.
10. Is there any advice you can give?
Well, I must accept the fact that being from a different community and culture, this work has been very difficult and harder than I had expected. However, as I can see, you are so much like me, I would ask you to be open minded and also to try as much as possible not to let cultural influences to come your way.
In conclusion I will say that informational interview is very important and takes a formal and a relaxed mode. It is also a two way conversation that assists in getting the needed information.
