Does anyone work / know someone at Patient First?

EvelynRN-BSN · Dec 2, 2009

I would like information about Patient First, urgent care and primary care center, please. I have heard that it is a nice place to work. Are they accustomed to orienting new grads? Who is typically staffed there or an average shift? Is the pay fair? What is the orientation process? The acuity of the patients? Thank you, I look forward to all responses and information.

Nice orientation: Some days your going to the corporate office and other days to your center. You will have a welcome class, treatment class, drug screen class, 1:1 buddy training (several of them) some with an MA and some with RN's. You will have a day in the lab. Spend some time at the Front Desk, X-Ray. This is so you can see how things work in each area. Computer class as well.

It goes on for about a month and a half of training.

Each center has different amount of rooms, some centers are busier than others. Open from 8a - 10p. Doors lock at 10p, but all patients inside must be seen. I was told by one staff member the latest they stayed was 11:45p. If working the first part of the shift you should arrive by 7:30am or 7:45am. Shifts are 8a-3p, 12p-7p, 3p-10p. I have heard that they hire a lot of New Grads so that would be a plus for you if your a new grad because now you know they are used to training New Grads rather than mostly seasoned nurses, although they do hire Seasoned Nurses, like myself. Matter of fact one of the trainers said that it was nice to be able to orient a seasoned nurse for once because it had been awhile since that person got to orient one. Although they said they enjoy orienting new grads as well.

The typical staff: At least two, sometimes three (MD's or PA's), MA, LPN, RN on the floor. There will always be an RN on during the shift. Everyone works well and works as a team all the time, especially when busy. Very sick ones that come in are sent out 911. They do require all staff to be ACLS certified. Don't be scared of ACLS you can do it, just study for it and they even have the class/training at Patient First. They pay is pretty good.

Acuity: Really bad sent out 911. Mostly I see: Sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, pink eye, chest pain, abdominal pain, physicals, drug screening, HIV Screening, animal bites, abscesses, lady partsl/penile discharges, a lot of flu and strep (and performing the tests), lacerations, bone breaks, sprains, strains, work comp patients, rashes, cellulitis, tampons that patients cannot get out, staph infection, URI, UTI's, Pyelonephritis, bumps and bruises.

delvenia · Dec 5, 2009

when they came to our school, they told us that they will only hire new grad rn's that already have 1 years worth of acute care experiance. they also said that they make you work as a medical assisstant if you didnt have the experiance which i thought was absolutly weird. i had never heard of such. i would call them and get clarification and make sure. this was in feb of this year that they came

EvelynRN-BSN · Dec 5, 2009

I am not a New Graduate and have been an RN for almost 6 years, so as far as New Graduate nurses I am not sure what their requirements are. I am also a Clinical Nursing Instructor at a College and spoke with the DMS in regards to hiring new graduates and and she states that Patient First welcomes them. I have recommended on of my New Graduates May 09 to apply their because she hates the politics that are going on at the hospital where she works. I even let the HR and DMS know at Patient First and they are waiting to review her application, which she is getting ready to complete, so I know they will hire New Grads for sure, but I will get some clarification for New Grads and the orientation process and about the 1 year experience, etc. We all at Patient First work as a Team and we all will help our MA's and works right along with them and will help them pull patients back and get vitals etc. It is a great work environment for all scopes of practice.

FirefightersWife · Dec 6, 2009

Do they only hire RNs, or will they hire LPNs too? Their website only says nurse, but doesn't say if there is a preference.

EvelynRN-BSN · Dec 8, 2009

Yes, they hire LPN's as well. There are a few at my center.

babyphat · Dec 13, 2009

Do anyone know if their pay is the same as the pay in a hospital?

MissBrittanyRN · Dec 13, 2009

I heard (but don't quote me) that their new grad pay is 24 or 24.50 /hr. I am sure it varies for experienced nurses.