Advice for an FNP transitioning from retail...

[Nelly, FNP]

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone can give me some advice! Im a TX NP who for the last 2 yrs has worked in the Retail Health Setting (i.e. Minute Clinic etc). I feel as though Ive sort of pigeonholed myself by working in such a setting as now I find myself challenged in finding a Family Practice/Primary Care job. What I saw mostly at the clinic were URI's, UTI's, allergies, colds/flus, physicals and vaccinations. Now that Im back on the market I feel that potential employers might be passing up on my resume due to a lack of chronic care management on my resume. One recruiter even said to me "oh you've worked at the Doc-n-a-box". Yeah, really encouraging!!!

My concern also is that of pay. I was able to bring home upwards of 90K at the clinic with Holidays, OT and weekend differentials. Im concerned that without chronic care mangement experience Im going to have to take a pay cut in order to accept a position (what ive seen here in TX for FP/Primary care practices has been 75-85K w/o experience). I feel like a new grad all over again, lol as I desire a setting that will lend ample support, training and mentorship. Most listings Ive seen really want you to come in and hit the ground running. Often time the MD is available by phone or is not patient enough to train. Its pretty frustrating!!!!!

Im currently working per-diem at an occupational health setting until I find a decent practice to apply for and join!! I guess im just venting but does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions??? Has anyone had a similar experience transitioning from retail. ThankS!

[Nelly, FNP]

Hello Dancingnurse

I'll be able to PM soon, yaay lol!!!

Yes you need to be an FNP in order to see ages 18 months and up. As it stands right now most patients present with allergies, cold/flus, strains/sprains, physical exam requests, blood work, vaccinations-pretty basic non-chronic conditions. If you want to get a broad base of experience you might search for a supportive family practice or primary care clinic. Not all primary care clinics do PAP smears either so if your interest is in womens health than you might locate a clinic that includes PAP's in their scope of services.

The pay was an hourly wage. As a new grade there my hourly wage was $42/hour during the week and $46/hour on weekends. They also gave monthly bonuses based on the volume of patients you see as well as over-time differentials. It is a good job to work as a part-timer.

The clinic is normally pretty slow during the summers. Sept/October through to about Jan/Feb are the ridiculously high volume seasons due to all the circulating bugs during that time of year. Spring time is next in line due to allergies.

Regarding marketing, yes, it was definetly hard to swallow. I think it was demeaning. You would never see an MD out holding signs or passing out flyers, right? My supervising physician also thought it was a ridiculous expectation.

Insurance is processed electronically. If there was an issue with the insurance then it would be the patient's responsibility to sort it out by phone but they would be required to pay out of pocket if they still wanted to be seen.

My store only used one NP/PA per ****. We also had one medical assistant.

Yes there is a high level of redundancy and it can get to be quite annoying when patient after patient rolls in with a viral infection and you have to keep repeating that antibiotics arent necessary!

Its basically a step below an urgent care. We didnt do any procedures such as incision/drainage of abscesses, stitching/suturing, splinting. No xrays. You would see a lot more as an NP in the urgent care!!

Thanks for the well wishes. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

[shannons1]

I left a job that I had for many years to try mc. So I had a good amount of experience. I would never recommend a new NP work at a retail clinic. Mostly for the reasons already mentioned-long hours, generally by yourself, silly marketing stuff...I just think there is so much more to learn in other settings without burning yourself out. I ended up leaving after about three years & now work inpatient peds heme/onc. Really love it!! Best of luck:)

[pinkbubbles31]

I worked for a retail clinic for 10 months straight after FNP school. The pay and the hrs attracted me and the thought that " I am autonomous" and that I wont have to deal with alot of sick pts. WRONG! Please new grads, I do not recommend this as your first job, unless you know for sure that you want to make this your career. If you get bored easily, this will be painful. After 3 months, I felt pretty comfortable on my own and felt that I am can pretty much run my own show. BY 6 months I was literally dreading going to work as I was already bored with sinus infection, UTI, cought, OM and allergies. It just wore me out.

Thankfully, I was hired by the Urgent cares and family practice, once I was honest about what my limitations are and willingness to learn. If you are able to sell yourself and be seen as an asset they will give you the chance. The one thing that I do give credit to the retail setting is that it helps you to learn to function independently and use your resources well. I am now at a family practice and even thou it is really busy and chaotic, it helps when you have another provider to bounce things off of.

[patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP]

I also worked at a inner grocery store clinic for a year and then their corporate called and closed all the clinics down in the state. It has been a blessing to get out of the grocery store clinic and now I work in a urgent and primary care clinic. The primary care is the toughest.. I deal with pts going into ARF/ARI from via telephone and order labs and interpret.. Its more of a challenge and I like it.. I would tell a new NP to not go into those clinics..

[danceluver]

do you all think its a good alternative for a new grad who cannot find a job immediately but needs to start making some money after graduating? Maybe at least until another job comes their way?

[pinkbubbles31]

Patrick, you could be my twin. I think we had the same "shocking" expereince in May while the store "moves in a different direction", but was a blessing in disguise." Nuff said. I find that I like primary care and a new grad really should not be in those clinics. Today I had a pt with a sinus infection and it was nice among all the other "complicated" pts. Its nice when you see someone with crazy blood pressure you can start them on something and follow up instead of sending them back to thier primary. I understood the liabilites and the reason for doing it, but deep down in my heart, I always felt that I wish I could do more. Now I can and I am so much more fulfilled.

[Nelly, FNP]

Dancingnurse-I would really advise against it. I would focus my efforts on finding a supportive primary care practice. Be sure it is one that is open to new grads so that you will have the mentorship and guidance you need.

[Nelly, FNP]

Hey pinkbubbles, my store closed in May as well, wasnt making enough money. Ive been working per diem ever since. Yet another reason why I wouldnt recommend these clinics as they tend to have a high rate of turnover and clinic closures!

[N9nes]

I know this is an older thread, but if anyone still checks it I am conducting research on FNP experience in retail care centers like Minute Clinic, Target Clinics and Take Care clinics. If you or someone you know has worked in this setting for at least 6 months I would appreciate your help!

For more information please see my post in the Academic Nurse Research section: https://allnurses.com/academic-nursing-research/calling-fnps-retail-690300.html

Thanks!