Anyone work in a GP surgery?

[bulletproofbarb]

I've had a gutful of ward nursing and am a bit lost as to what i want to do. I'm currently working in the medical field but not as a nurse and it's only part time work. The job I have is really relaxed and stress free but the pay isn't the best and also, I need to work in nursing to keep my skills up and maintain my registration.

Anyway, I have applied for a couple of jobs in GP surgery and have had one interview and have another at a different surgery next week.

I just came away from the first interview feeling lost..because I think would enjoy it but at the same time felt a bit hesitant...i guess because it's unkown territory.

I still have the second interview to go to but am wondering if anyone has or is working in A GP surgery, would they mind telling me a bit about it.

I'm looking for part time work and really dont want to give up my hours in the job I have cause whilst it may be low pay, the quality of life is sooo much better.

The first job would require me to give up one day in my current job but they have fairly good training which makes me feel good...although what they said and what I have heard are two different things.

The scond I have no idea about yet but would not require me to give up any of my current job hours.

ah I just fel so lost really. I think I have worn out my friends with my confusion.

Other areas I have considered are radiology...bu thats all I can think of...GP or radiology. I dont want to do community nursing as in going from peoples houses....not sure about aged care..have done it as agency but another thing is I want to get away from shift work as well.

[ceridwyn]

Hi Barb, I have worked in a GP clinic, hardest thing was the lower wage about, at that time, 6.00 less an hour than the hospital. That was in Victoria.

I found a did get quite a bit of experience that has served me well since, things like immunisations, trauma, cardiac episodes, lots of ecgs, sometimes it was like a mini ED.

Drug seekers....was facinated but also sad, to what extremes they go too to get that shot of morhpine.

Sutures and all type of clips, sometimes embedded from most interesting places, because the big hospitals in melbourne just say....see your local GP, had instructions from a plastic surgeon in theatre once...trying to take sutures froma dressing off a nose....

Assisting in minor procedures...never done that before in hospital....vasectomies?....mole removals, implanon implants, PVs, PRs, smears, you name it....

the cleaning use to get to me sometimes.....I look back fondly, but could not go back because of the pay.

Also we did the packing of the procedure trays so I did learn about instruments as AI did not do theatre in training.

Our clinic had 6 doctors and was not far from Melbourne.

[bulletproofbarb]

Thanks so much.

Thats great to know.

My current job pays $12.00 an hour less than ward work so going to work in GP will be a pay rise for me. BUT that drop in pay is absolutely nothing compared to drop in stress. I actually work more days than on the ward so take home pay is only a little smaller than my ward pay.

However, i dont want to give up nursing, but i dont want shift work either and I also dont want full time as yet in GP...I am happy to plod along as I am..i just want a smallish job (hours) to maintain registration, skills and use my brains.

I noticed in WA GP rates vary greatly if you have experience from $26 to $34 an hour...wards are $34.00 an hour plus penalties at my level..i have been an RN for 21 years.

Aged care pays less than ward work but more than GP and Radiology sits in the GP range as well.

So really considering the greatest stress is on the wards, they are your sickest patients, plus you have to teach grads and students...well that $34 they pay is actually a slap in the face when you compare it to other areas.