Is Phys. Office nursing "Really Nursing"?

When I worked for a group of Cardiologists in their stress lab in the office I started IV's everyday. There a many skills in office nursing. There are many times folks walked into our office and the hospital was across the street and they were having an MI.

So for the nurse who feel they may be bored working in an office setting may be judging the hospital environmrnt to an unknown office environment. There is a difference but there is still a great need of nurses quick on their feet and quick witted. There ia a need for prioritizing at times.

My experience includes work as an MA (cardiology/pediatrics office), then nursing in nursing home, home health, ambulatory care, family practice, neurology office. No med surge but think in retrospect it would have been the most efficient way to develop nursing skills, apply nursing and fully understand its unique role as compared to other medical roles eg Medical Assistant (MAs), advanced degrees, etc. I find it challenging in office settings because many (MA's and even docs) do not fully understand the nursing role; applying the scientific process with skills of assessment, documentation (and having the knowledge and understanding of its legal importance), education, follow-up, etc., and also having the opportunity to create and build programs that benefit the patient and the organization is what has ultimately earned me respect and set my nursing duties apart from duties of MAs, LPNs, etc. In an office setting, there is much responsibility for oversight of subordinates and setting an example, for clinical skills, communication (particularly documentation), patient education and interaction and customer service, etc. Nurses are greatly under utilized in the office setting, particularly since that is where the diagnoses begins, but where patient education should also be readily available at the outset (the doc's just don't have the time).

I have a friend who is an LPN in a dermatology office. She LOVES it. She says it's very specialized and feels that her job is extremely rewarding in every way.

With all the new skin issues/treatments/surgeries becoming not only more popular, but more advanced, she says it's a wonderful field to be in.

I'm considering the field now, but in a different office.

But I'm probably sold mostly on the evenings, weekends, and holidays off. Currently I'm working full time in LTC and am on a continually rotating two week schedule which includes working every other weekend. I don't like working weekends, period.

I'm a tad worried though, because if I switch jobs now, it will be the fourth switch in 1 year. I'm just having trouble finding the right fit for my life and family.

Any one else with that problem?

Blue

Yikes!!! This thread is 4.5 years old. I just noticed another MA vs Nurse thread revitalized after over 8 years. Is there a conspiracy here to drive me out of my mind. Why?? I think we've beat this issue until the preverbal horse is not dead but now lying in ashes!

Dutchgirl, you're funny.

But it is easier to reincarnate subjects than read through every single reply.

Blue

Although this thread is 4 1/2 years old, it was not the intention of this being a MA vs Nurse thread. The OP was asking about office nursing....no mention whatsoever about MA's.

Sorry, my mistake. Guess I'm getting overly sensitive

Maybe an old thread, but i always welcome new healthcare workers.

Humbily said I was sorry and I do agree. Newbies are "always" welcome.

Hey we all have been students, worked long hours, heard the same complaints, but that is similiar to the patient walking in with a cold..... we still take care of it.

No worries, no hard feelings, sometimes we just have to remember when.... ya know?

Sharona