Clinical vs hospital RN

Published

Just taking opinions on whether people prefer clinic or hospital setting as a nurse? And why? Starting to realize maybe hospital nursing isn't for me. I've been doing LTC for about a year (PRN as of right now) and love it because I'm able to develop a long lasting relationship with my patients. I've been on an ortho/neuro floor for 6months and hate it due to lack of resources, off shift (taking a toll on my family and my health), short staffed, constantly feeling overwhelmed and stressed.. I find myself crying before heading into work because I dread it so bad. I have anywhere between 7-9 patients each night. Every nurse on the floor that works nights has less than a years of experience. I don't feel safe at times or feel as though my license is at risk. I've recently been promoted as charge nurse and don't like the added stress.. I've expressed my concerns with my manager and my manager simply stated, "that's part of nursing." This is not what nursing is to me. Feeling this way going into the hospital is not worth it. I look forward to the days where I'm able to work at the LTC facility. I was thinking of staying at my LTC facility and finding a part time clinic position.

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've only worked in a hospital setting and I like it, but ortho is heavy and 7-9 patients is way too many. That doesn't mean that you're going to get less, of course. It means that you need to look elsewhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I've been doing LTC for about a year (PRN as of right now) and love it because I'm able to develop a long lasting relationship with my patients.

There's a certain security in knowing your patients and in knowing the routine, eh Rhinelander? It was one of the most enjoyable things for me when I worked LTC.

I worked in a mental health clinic for about 5 years and enjoyed that. I also got to know quite a few of the patients since they saw the psychiatrist routinely. Meeting newcomers was good too.

Good luck to you in finding your place, Rhinelander, and welcome to AN.com!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No clinic or hospital for me. I prefer sitting on my assets, working from home.

Think outside the box.

7-9 patients on a "ortho-neuro" floor is unsafe for everybody. What the heck is ortho-neuro anyway? Never saw that combo.

Best wishes, hope you find something you LIKE to do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What the heck is ortho-neuro anyway? Never saw that combo.

My hospital had that. It's when they reach for stroke status designation by whatever committee they're wooing and hastily put together a neuro "floor" by saying X amount of beds are designated for stroke care and hastily jam it into an existing floor. They did it for a few years and then finally dedicated a floor for neuro.

Back to OP's situation...even now I would not be comfortable being assigned charge, let alone at 6 months of experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What the heck is ortho-neuro anyway? Never saw that combo.

Regular orthopedics+back/neck surgical patients. When I had my broken neck fixed it was done by a neurosurgeon even though the actual work was more orthopedic so I was classified as a neuro patient but on an ortho floor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Floor nursing was not for me, I worked med-surg for a few years. But have been in clinic setting for the past 13 years.

I love occupational / employee health nursing. Hours are great and you have a lot of opportunities. I am currently looking into nursing informatics courses because I also enjoy IT. It is so many areas in the nursing field I would encourage you to keep looking until you find the one you love.

Telehealth is also another area many nurses enjoy. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Any place that promotes a nurse to charge after only 6 months of experience in the hospital and a year of LTC has poor judgement. That should be clue number one for you to get out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Any place that promotes a nurse to charge after only 6 months of experience in the hospital and a year of LTC has poor judgement. That should be clue number one for you to get out.

"Charge" is very different from one place to another. In some places, they simply come in 15 minutes early to make the room assignments, schedule lunch breaks, etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What do you do from home? I want to think outside of the box but just recently graduated and feel like my options are very limited.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion