Doctors office job..think I made a mistake...

Specialties Ambulatory

Published

I took a position in a doctors office a few months ago. While I don't have to get up early & the hours aren't bad, the distance isn't too far from my home, I realize this is not the type of nursing for me. What I was told during the interview the job would entail has turned out to be completely opposite.The doctor runs late all the time & for no real reason other than he is slow & on the phone w/friends & family. The job doesn't utilize any nursing skills (not even vital signs & again, this is different than when I interviewed). I have, politely, brought this to the attention of those I interviewed with..they dance around it. The doctor himself was friendly during the interview but has literally not spoke 100 words to me since I've been there nor does he acknowledge the others in the office unless needed. I am not saying he should stop & chit-chat w/any of us but when I say he doesn't acknowledge us - I mean at ALL unless we approach him first for something then it's short answers to the point his meaning isn't always clear. I am staying because I need the money & because, frankly, it's an easy job. But, it's boring, making me lazy as a nurse & I know I need to get back into a position that is better suited for me. I honestly do not understand why they hired an RN for the position because an unlicensed person could do this job easily. There is also an LPN who works there. She was hired a few months before me & basically is sent home early a lot because there is little for the both of us to do. She too is confused as to what she was told in the interview & what its turned out to be. The only other job offer for me is a 12 hr hospital shift which I'm not opposed to however it's at a hospital about an hour one way from where I live. I am torn as to just hanging in there w/this office job until something closer opens up or going ahead & taking this position an hour a way to at least keep my skills up. I do NOT mean to offend anyone who may work at a doctors office but at this particular office..there are other things too..it's not very clean though they claim to have a cleaning crew, the doctor doesn't wash his hands between patients & I notice he has them come back a lot when there doesn't seem to be a need & several complain, directly to him, about his care. The also keep expired items - nothing major but still. I know I just started so maybe I'm reacting too quickly? Thoughts??:uhoh3:

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

I'm really sorry you feel this way, but I can relate 110%.

Personally I would jump at the hospital job opportunity even if it means an hour drive. Do you have a reliable car? If you have kids/pets, do you have appropriate child/pet care for 14+ hrs per day? Could you move to be closer to work?

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stay at the doctors office hospitals are over rated!!!!

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.
stay at the doctors office hospitals are over rated!!!!

Ditto. Hospitals sell this idea that the only real nursing that goes on is in their facility.

I'll tell ya what, how bout we switch places. I'll do your job. Doc don't have to talk to me. In fact, I prefer he don't.

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I would approach the doctor and flat out say "I"M BORED!" What kind of practice is it? Could you possibly do skin care, wound care, teeth whitening?

I go to a family practice doctor (on rare occasions) and he has gotten into all kind of stuff. Weight loss, lasers for skin care, he even sells Obagi. Maybe you could suggest some of these things and make your own "clinic".

I can relate to the late hours too. I used to work for an orthopedic surgeon. It was "Old Home Week", every afternoon. Friends, family stopping by the office. Wasn't a problem until I had a baby and was breastfeeding. My milk would come in at 5pm, and my uniform would be drenched! lol! He took the hint, obviously, it was time to go!

Hang in there if you can. Hospitals are over-rated. Skills, smills. You haven't lost anything. Start taking BP's, if it makes you feel better. Can you do hospital rounds with the doctor? Volunteer to do so if you haven't.

Good luck and keep us posted!

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Specializes in medical surgical.

Yep, hospital totally overrated. Enjoy the boredom. At least you are getting a paycheck.

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Specializes in OR.

I'd love a doctor's office job. I also hate this idea that has been ingrained (engrained? spelling?) into new graduates heads that hospitals are the only real nursing jobs. I guess thats true, if you like headaches, drama, politics, and being understaffed nearly all the time. (Of course, there are hospital dream jobs so I hear, but few and far between)

You know? I got into nursing because I always thought to myself "Man, I don't want the typical 9-5 job." And to an extent, that's still very true. However, Having worked a year and a half now in nursing, I'd almost rather HAVE normal hours, just in a nursing setting. Like one previous poster said, doctors isnt talking to you? That may be a better deal than you think! If you're worried about performance or if you should be doing anything different, I'd just ask him one day, or ask him every week or so if there is anything else you could be doing!

Another poster said to volunteer. This is a great way to make connections and get your foot in the door somewhere!

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Personally, I would much rather be at a doctors office. My experience with hospital nursing has included

being overworked, underpaid, overstressed, disrespectfully talked to by MD's, and burnt out...but if those things don't bother you, or you've been blessed enough to not experience any of the mentioned above, by all means, go back to hospital nursing and be happy :)

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Specializes in OR.
Personally, I would much rather be at a doctors office. My experience with hospital nursing has included

being overworked, underpaid, overstressed, disrespectfully talked to by MD's, and burnt out...but if those things don't bother you, or you've been blessed enough to not experience any of the mentioned above, by all means, go back to hospital nursing and be happy :)

I wish I could say this wasn't true! I had some good times at the hospital. Sometimes you feel really, really important, and those moments where everything comes together with the patients and the families are awesome. They were just overshadowed by everything Gemini stated above =(

It's a shame because you learn a LOT in hospitals. It's just not worth it now, in my opinion that is.

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I always dream to work in a dr.'s office. Easy job and happy hours. You can enjoy life and take care of your own health and your beloved folks'. Hospitals get you burned out! And, your license is always challenged. And, you are prone to violence from patients and their family members.

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Specializes in Home Health & Hospice.

The grass isn't greener honey!! I agree with Gemini...hospitals are tough! I work on a very busy cardiac stepdown unit and am currently interviewing for home health/case management positions. I would LOVE a Dr. office. When I leave the hosp. I am exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally. All the BS isn't worth it, I feel like I've lost my spirit. This isn't what nursing is to me. I don't feel you should stay if you really don't like it, trust me I know what that feels like. But, maybe think about something other than the hosp. And, the hour drive sucks!! I do it now and daydream about something closer. Good luck, I know you will find what you're looking for :yeah:

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I would be bored too. To me, your situation sounds awful. If the hospital isn't your thing, have you thought about looking for a position at a clinic, or in home health, or hospice? In my area, the clinics have way more nurse run programs. One of my friends works for a clinic and she does it all, including, diabetes eduction, some wound management, and a lot of case management. Also, my experience, home health/ hospice are nurse driven organizations. Where everything is pretty much done and decided by the RNs and signed off by the medical director. I think that type of environment attracts physicians who like and respect the work of RNs. All of the medical directors that I worked with in those settings totally believed in nursing judgement, and it was awesome. If I were willing to work 9 to 5, I would go back.

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