[mh3136]

Hey all,

I was wondering what the perception was of NPs working in retail clinics such as Minute Clinic or Take Care etc.... Are these clinics a good starting point for new grads? I was considering applying for such a position, but I have some reservations. How is the pay? Also, would it be easy to transition from these clinics to private practices or other settings down the road, Or would it be a hard sell to a future employer? Just curious...

[sirI]

Hello and welcome to allnurses.com and the NP forum

Good to have you with us.

Here are a couple threads about the topic:

http://allnurses.com/forums/f34/nps-...ng-129113.html

http://allnurses.com/forums/f34/minu...ed-215587.html

http://allnurses.com/forums/f34/any-...ic-192545.html

Hope you enjoy the site.

[core0]

Originally Posted by mh3136

Hey all,

I was wondering what the perception was of NPs working in retail clinics such as Minute Clinic or Take Care etc.... Are these clinics a good starting point for new grads? I was considering applying for such a position, but I have some reservations. How is the pay? Also, would it be easy to transition from these clinics to private practices or other settings down the road, Or would it be a hard sell to a future employer? Just curious...

I would second Siris comments. Most of your questions are answered there. You do bring up a new question. How will this be looked at by future employers. I think that it depends on the feelings of the local medical community. If they dislike the concept then it might be a significant negative.

For your other questions
I feel that this is a poor starting point for a new grad. There is minimal support with no real mentoring opportunities. This is cookbook medicine and will not allow you to develop diagnostic skills. Given the lack of development it would be hard to transition to FP. The information that I have from one of the executives who posts on the PA board is that they only hire experienced people. Whether this is true with all providers or happens nationwide I have no way of knowing. They have a lot of people that are 15-20 years out and looking to slow down.

David Carpenter, PA-C

[sirI]

I feel that this is a poor starting point for a new grad. There is minimal support with no real mentoring opportunities.

I want to second that. IMO? These clinics are no place for the new NP grad.

[VivaRN]

For what it's worth, they also told us at my school not to do retail clinic as a new grad. For the reasons CoreO and Siri have said. Salary is nice, FP experience not so nice.

Apparently they want experienced providers - but when they can't get them they go for newbies. They are recruiting new grads where I am because of the rapid growth of these clinics in my area.

[ShellyNP22]

I have been approached to say the least by several Retail Clinics and wanted to talk with someone who actually has worked or is working in one of these type clinics. I have some basic questions such as hours, on call, benefits package. Any help would be appreciated.

[DanFNP]

I agree that it probably isn't a good place for new grads. In fact, I was talking to a recruiter a while ago for MinuteClinic and she said they don't want new grad FNPs, and they hire many more NPs than PAs due to the autonomy issue. However, it is growing by leaps and bounds now and is generally well received by patients -- the people who actually give us the money. Walmart and Target are quickly expanding into this and, well, as Walmart goes, so goes America. I do feel it's going to be a huge opportunity for NPs in the future in many aspects. It will be a great PR/public education vehicle for the general masses to know what NPs are and do. And its becoming increasingly profitable -- these money-loaded chains are willing to pay top dollar. My buddy is a pharmacist for Walmart. One thing about them -- they pay their associates next to nothing..but very generou$ to their professional employees.