Urgent Care Clinic

[finallyRN7]

Did anyone start out at an Urgent Care Clinic as a new graduate?? If so, I'd like to know what a typical day would be like. How many RNs are typically assigned, and what are the responsibilities of the RN? How long was your orientation also? I would appreciate any input from any seasoned ambulatory (Urgent care nurses) out there as well. I've been applying everywhere and anywhere for work but nothing yet. I still have hope. I just like to get as much information as I can about a particular position that I might consider taking before-hand. Thanks so much in advance guys.

[linguine]

It could prepare for working in the ER. The hospital interviews I have been too have asked if I were interested in the ER because of the triage experience in urgent care.

[ms_orion]

Personally...My Hospital experience sucked! BUT..it was at a VA Hospital, substandard care and disrespect!!! More skills are learned in a physicians office....except the use of lifts and all the back-breaking stuff.

[monmmunoz]

What is the going rate for a a new grad RN starting out in an urgent care?

[2BS Nurse, BSN]

I work as a RN in an Urgent Care clinic. I really like the unpredictability and not knowing who's going to walk through the door. Not having to prep for patients in the morning is a bonus too. One thing I've realized after talking to my other friends who work in UC is that every clinic is different. If you work in a big city, you're going to be busier. We start IVs occasionally, but not on a daily basis. Some of our more common procedures include IM injections, ear lavage, nebulizer treatments, wound care for lacerations, applying air casts, splints and walking boots, EKGs, TB test placement and readings. We tend to get busy around noon, slow down in the afternoon, and get busy again after 5 p.m. The slow days can be a little boring. Because every UC is set up differently, my friend does occupational health physicals in her clinic, but we do not. Patients are not supposed to come to UC for chest pain, but they do. We will occasionally have a bleeding patient walk through the doors five minutes before we close. In this case, I may end up working up to an hour after closing time. All in all, I like the job. The slow days are easy, but you have to move really fast and prioritize on the busy days. I've never worked in a hospital, but just like any other area of nursing, you have to do a lot of self-study to get yourself up to speed when working on a new unit. I feel as if I'm doing just as well as the RNs with hospital experience.