Decisions inpt or outpt

[beckymcrn]

Hello Everyone. I am trying to figure out just exactly what it is I want to do. I have been in oncology for 7 years. I absolutely love it!!! That is not the problem . In a nut shell here is my problem. I work in an out pt clinic, university hospital based. I am the clinic nurse for GYN oncology. My duties are far and above that of a clinic nurse. I coordinate all care for pts after their visits, moniter labs on chemo pts, man the clinic as a chaperone for almost all exams, do follow up care for pts, answer phone calls when directed to our clinic (usually a tirage nurse handles this but most of the patients ask for me because the doc tells them to ask for me; and gives out the number to my direct line which is a no no. He has been told about this a million times! :angryfire ). Not to mention post all surgeries for the the GYN onc service, make sure all supplies are ordered for my clinics, rooms stocked, and whatever else. (By the way I failed to mention we say approx 60-70 pts in TWO days of clinic!) Actually this is the job of a clinic coordinator, how ever I am not considered a clinic coordinator. I am a clinic nurse!

Recently one of the other services in the Cancer Center (neuro onc) just got a clinic coordinator. Actually one of my fellow nurses was promoted to the position. Don't get me wrong I am thrilled for her. This service may see 20-25 pts a week and believe me that is pushing it.

When I ask my manager how to go about getting a clinic coordinator in our clinic I was told we do not have enough pt load ! WHAT!!!!!!!

I feel like I have been beating my head against the wall with this for 2 years and they keep telling me its up to the OB dept or not enough pt load or some other crazy thing! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! :angryfire

I do not know what to do. I did finally decied to speak to the dept chair of gyn onc dept. I plan to let him know their dept is getting the shaft becasue if they had a coordinator the clinic would run so much smoother. Because for one there would be a clinic coordinator and a clinic nurse.

Here is my delema I recently got hired for a prn job in a local hospital. They offered me 96 hors a week at almost $6.00 more than I work now. I would work 2 12s a week. Of course no benefits but not a M-F deal.

Only thing is it is med surg not oncology . Did I mention I love oncology.

I love my patients and would miss them. I do not know what to do.

Just needed to vent a bit.

AND Think!!!!

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

I wouldn't work full time in a hospital again for all the tea in China. No amount of money would be enough given today's health care environment. Standard disclaimer: Your results may vary .