Are RNs being phased out of Urgent Care?

[Lemon Bars]

I found out quickly that hospital nursing is not for me. I worked three years in a primary care clinic and now three years in an urgent care clinic. Urgent care is much more interesting to me. But now I've decided that I want to live in a different state and I've been looking for RN jobs in Urgent Care and...I don't see many job postings for this. Also, I've just been told that my clinic will be transitioning to a work flow where both LPNs and RNs will need to triage all walk in patients in consultation with a provider (previously only LPNs had to consult a provider when doing triage). LPNs can start IVs here, send prescriptions, autosign work release letters for providers, etc. It looks like there is nothing I can do as an RN here that an LPN cannot do for less money. These makes me wonder, are RNs being phased out at Urgent Care clinics and perhaps other ambulatory clinics as well? Do I need to go back to school and get a Family Nurse Practitioner license if I want to continue in this field? Thanks for any insight into this issue!

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Hi,

I think it just depends on the area and who "owns" the urgent care.  Most hospital based urgent care centers hire RNs and LPNs, while many other non hospital based tend to hire paramedics, EMTAs and medical assistants.  

Having worked at an urgent care I can tell you I didn't really feel like I needed my RN license to care for patients in that setting, as most of the complaints are just minor doctor's office type stuff, with the exception of the occasional patient who walked in needing 911 and an ER, and not urgent care.   My state does not allow urgent care to do triage, however, obviously if we had a chest pain or something that could be life threatening we will take them right in.   

Anyway, I found UC really boring and only stayed a year per diem before moving on.  I don't think nurses are being phased out, like I said, I think it has more to do with who owns the UC.  

 

Annie

[Mickey9700, RN]

Hi, I've worked in Pediatric Urgent Care for 7 years. I also think it depends on the part of the country. I live in the northeast and we have RNs and LPNs and MAs. However, the more southern states have Medics. I'm not sure what the difference is, but I can see how when a nurse is out sick, a few MAs can do their job,  just without giving meds.