Any allergy nurses out there?

mttopmama · Aug 9, 2011

lemonspark

Did you get the ENT/allergy job?

I work in an ENT office so I can help you if you need some tips

DOU RN · Oct 22, 2011

I'm a DOU Rn that is getting too old to be working on the stressful and physical

DOU. I have an interview for an allergy clinic job this week. What do I need to know for the interview? I'm gleaning all the info in this site, but I didn't see an answer to the last RN who asked for interview advice. How often do you have patients with adverse reactions after the testing or shots?

Oedgar · Oct 22, 2011

I am no good with interviews, but I can tell you that close attention to detail is important in an allergy office job... but all nursing jobs require this as well. Mixing vials requires complete accuracy, is a multi-step process, many opportunities for messing up. As for reactions... my coworker who had been the twenty years, and seen a couple of systemic reactions in her time there. In my six years the most I saw was a lot of local reactions at the injection site, and the occasional sniffling or drippy nose from the shots. We just observed those patients for awhile. I never had to give epinephrine as a result of giving an allergy shot.

DOU RN · Oct 22, 2011

Thank you. I think I'm ready. I can handle a reaction every 10 years. It's better than a 60/23 BP and 180-240 HR every shift in the DOU.

jars7 · Nov 15, 2011

I have been reading this thread. I just started yesterday in Allergy Clinic as the new Allergy nurse. Transferred to clinic from surgery where I worked forever. I am LPN/IVC. It is so much to learn and almost was overwhelmed yesterday hearing everything that has to be done. I will be learning what to do for 2 weeks, taking lots of notes. Later in spring when another class is offered, the ENT doctor said he wants to send me there for training also. Any suggestions for a newbie? I know accuracy and focus is most important on this type of position.

MhoRN · Nov 18, 2011

Hi, so...this is one of my few first posts. I am a new grad and was just recently interviewed at an Allergy and Asthma clinic in NYC, I did two days trial (non-paid) and I was offered the job at the end of the trial and after the manager and the allergist interviewed about 10 candidates. The starting salary is 25$/hr, no holidays or sick paid days and insurance yes but only medical...I find it a little low in the spectrum of nursing in NYC...I might be a new grad, but I have my BSN and I also just recently started training at a home care agency where I am paid 35$/hr just orientation. I love the clinic and the environment, it's definitely and low stress environment than home care and hospital, but I will be the only nurse at the clinic, I will be doing the usual (giving allergy shots, making vials, skin, PCN testing, Xolair and so on and on. There is some documentation, but it's pretty low key. The employers and the Dr are nice, but I find it insulting starting at 25/hr and less than 50,000 per year? I have so much student loan to pay off and not to add my bills to the table....I don't know Maybe I'm overreacting...I need some advices, and no hard feelings taken

Thanks

Sneezes n' wheezes · Nov 19, 2011

Just found this site and joined up to help out in any way I can. Mho RN - Yes, $25 an hour is an insult especially given your NYC location (cost of living). I have worked for several allergists in my 22 years in the field. I currently work in a large metropolitan hospital-based clinic, where I primarily mix extracts for about 900 patients. I work with 4 wonderful docs, and 7 dedicated nurses. We are one nurse short lately, as the Clinic elected NOT to replace a recently-resigned LPN, and that has resulted in my being out at the injection station and check-in station far too frequently to allow me to mix the volume of vials I need to. But the salary is more than I've ever made in nursing before, the DON is extremely supportive of all the nurses, and I LOVE my job. I am a member of both the Academy and the College and attend nearly all the national meetings to stay on top of the profession, and the hospital often picks up the tab.

If I can be a resource for any allergy/asthma nurses out there, please don't hesitate to write. I am familiar with every aspect of the field, including billing, mixing, injections, and testing. Hope to hear from anyone out there.

MhoRN · Nov 19, 2011

Sneezes n' wheezes, thank you so much for your input. I am still in awe about the offer, I will call in Monday to negotiate the salary, I really like this specialty and I will continue doing so if the salary is right. The good thing is they are willing to train me, but I feel degraded for accepting that salary. Thanks for your willingness to help and I appreciate your input alot.

Sneezes n' wheezes · Nov 19, 2011

Mho, your situation reminds me of a physician I worked with for 18 years and just left last January. His wife worked in the office part time the past ten years and essentially was the practice manager. When a job opening arose (and it often did, due to turnover), I discovered they would advertise the posting on CraigsList. Given the economy, they would get a slew of applicants for office assistant, medical assistant and/or nurse. They would hire an inexperienced candidate at a low rate, claiming they would spend time and money to train them, promise a raise after six months or a year, and then renege on that promise. The employee would then feel betrayed and leave. (I counted 19 people come and gone in the past 12 years or so, many of whom would have stayed on had they received even a modest increase.) If they had medical insurance through a parent or significant other, they would work 36-40 hours a week. If not ,their hours would be limited so as not to qualify for insurance. The games they played with these people were despicable. I had to leave (after 18 years) after the doc began to plant lies about me in the office in an effort to get me to quit. I found out later, he DID want me to leave, because after this length of time and only 5 raises later, I was making too much money!! If you accept this job, Mho, get everything in writing, including increases in pay, and any promises or assurances as well. Hold your head high and let your heart tell you if it is the right place for you to be.

MhoRN · Nov 21, 2011

Mho your situation reminds me of a physician I worked with for 18 years and just left last January. His wife worked in the office part time the past ten years and essentially was the practice manager. When a job opening arose (and it often did, due to turnover), I discovered they would advertise the posting on CraigsList. Given the economy, they would get a slew of applicants for office assistant, medical assistant and/or nurse. They would hire an inexperienced candidate at a low rate, claiming they would spend time and money to train them, promise a raise after six months or a year, and then renege on that promise. The employee would then feel betrayed and leave. (I counted 19 people come and gone in the past 12 years or so, many of whom would have stayed on had they received even a modest increase.) If they had medical insurance through a parent or significant other, they would work 36-40 hours a week. If not ,their hours would be limited so as not to qualify for insurance. The games they played with these people were despicable. I had to leave (after 18 years) after the doc began to plant lies about me in the office in an effort to get me to quit. I found out later, he DID want me to leave, because after this length of time and only 5 raises later, I was making too much money!! If you accept this job, Mho, get everything in writing, including increases in pay, and any promises or assurances as well. Hold your head high and let your heart tell you if it is the right place for you to be.[/quote']
You know on top of everything, they wanted to have me sign a contract that ill have to give 2 months in advance if I decide to quit, when I kindly turned down the offer and explained my reasons (low salary and no benefits?) Manager said she understood , I guess they are going to slay another victim whoever is willing to take the offer. I held my head high and said this is not the place for me to be.
I'm so glad you love what you do :)

Sneezes n' wheezes · Nov 21, 2011

Good for you, Mho, you did the right thing. Continue to have self-respect in all that you do.

nursingj · Feb 15, 2012

I'am an RN who has a job interview in an allergy office. It has been difficult to find a job where I live. Are there any allergy nurses that can give me advice before I go for the interview as far as what I need to learn to better interview. I really want this job. Thanks.