What do you think about Retail medicine ?

Specialties NP

Published

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

What do you think of retail medicine such as The Little Clinic, Minute Clinic, Take Care Health ?

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

Well, I was pretty glad they existed on 2 occasions when my provider was out of town and I wasn't really sick enough to go to the ER. I think I got good care from the 2 NPs I saw. As a job, I have mixed feelings....I know several NPs who work per diem at Minute Clinics. They say the money is great, but it's boring. You're very limited in what you can do and you have to follow set protocols. I'd consider it in the future as supplementary income but not as my main job.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

The $$$ is great in my area but boring - at least from my NP friends. However, its a nice supplement

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Frustrating. I had a UTI and my primary care provider and gyno wouldn't let me just come in and pee in a cup really quick. Neither one could get me in for a full week. I wasn't about to ER for a UTI (plus, my insurance pays next to nothing for ER visits unless they are considered a true emergency and a UTI is not on that list) so I had to pay $400 to go to an urgent care center. Those Minute Clinic type places said they couldn't do that type stuff there and weren't allowed to prescribe Cipro.

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I've received great care at local CareNow clinics and wouldn't hesitate to go to them again when it's Sunday @ 3 pm and I'm pretty sure I have strep throat. When I had pneumonia and couldn't get in to see my PCP they were amazing...I had an o2 sat, assessment, CXR and neb treatment within 15 minutes and was treated according to national guidelines.

As a job I've heard the same things as everyone else: kind of boring, have to adhere to guidelines but good $$. I will definitely consider it as a good supplement at some point in time. Boring doesn't really bother me sometimes!

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I worked for one for 2 years which was affiliated with a hospital system. We had no protocols to follow but we stick to a lower scope of practice due to the setting. The visits are at least 1/2 the price of the urgent care and I have been there myself for the same reason "cant get in to my PCP". I know each "retail" may have their own scope and yes some national ones do have protocols. They are perfect for ENT, minor derm and other lower scope of practice diagnosis.

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I was wondering if anyone can tell me what "good money" means...i.e. what do these hourly positions pay? I agree..."boring" isn't always that bad! I have not yet graduated FNP, but I am interested in maximum flexibility in scheduling, so I was thinking an hourly/per diem type opportunity may work well for me. Thanks for all your input to everyone who responds.

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my stepfather is a manager at walgreens where they also have a take care clinic. he overheard the pharmacist complaining one day because the NP there makes more money then he does. I know the pharmacists there make close to 100 grand a year, so yeah, its safe to assume that the np's there make "good money" lol

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I know the NPs in the Minute Clinic's around here make $70-$80k. Considering the hours and the work environment... not bad.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Central IL - approx $55-60.

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shelbee and foreverLaur...thanks so much for the info! Could you please share the location that these rates apply? (e.g. city, state). :)

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