Dr office vs er

wearyLPN · Mar 11, 2012

The hospital will give you more experience and more money than a doctors office. Don't overlook the nursing home!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 11, 2012

Dr's office: better hours (most likely weekdays 8-4 or something similar); no weekends (unless your doc is open on weekends); holidays off; pay is lower than the ER; stress level is lower than the ER; depending on the type of office you are are working for your duties can range anywhere from just doing vital signs to assisting the doc with practically every procedure.

ER: unpredictable hours and long shifts; nights, weekends and holidays are not days off; better pay than the office; more stress than the office and increased risk of burnout; will use a lot more hands-on nursing skills.

Which one is best for you? That depends on what YOU are looking for. Each has its pros and cons. The ER will give you more hands-on nursing experience than the office and will help if your desire is to work in acute care. However, there's no law stating that to be a nurse you must work in a hospital, and some nurses are happy making their care entirely outside of acute care settings for whatever reason (family, desire for autonomy, etc.).

Also don't forget that you picked only two areas out of a wide range: there's lots of places that nursing can take you.

Best of luck in nursing school.

iliketohelp · Mar 11, 2012

Thanks alot guys! im looking for the satisfaction in helping people the most. im just afraid working in a hospital wont give me a "social life"?

How does working in a hospital with the long hours affect your personal life?

allnurses Guide · Mar 14, 2012

Problem is, very few doctor's offices hire nurses anymore; mostly what you will see are MAs and aides, sometimes just people hired off the street and "trained" to do whatever (docs can delegate what they want to in an office, under their own license).

Social life? unless you sign up for a permanent weekend job, you usually get every other one off. Work nights? Go out with friends during your evenings off. Who says a good dinner date only happens during certain hours or days?

People everywhere need help, clinic to ICU to community. You need to be happy with where you are before you can be satisfied with the help you give. Long hours... 8 or 12 hours? Working 8's gives you lots of time during the rest of the day. WOrking 12s gives you 4 days off every week.

iliketohelp · Mar 16, 2012

i drive a 2012 bmw, i have money to pay off my student loans, my hubby and i invested in 3 homes, each worth 250k, sold those, now we are investing in some more houses. im thinking i would want to be a er nurse more hands on work!:)