ER Nurse to clinic nurse...am I crazy?

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I am an RN currently workin in a pediatric emergency room. It's a level 1 trauma center and a very busy ED. I work 12 hour night shifts. My background is in adult ER and about a year of pediatric ICU. All I've ever known is high acuity, fast paced nursing. Also, I've only ever worked night shift and I don't think I've had a Christmas off in 5 years.

Anyway, I recently interviewed at a myeloma clinic. It's one of the best in the country. Day shift, no weekends, no holidays. Doesn't sound like I'll be using many (if any) nursing "skills". Seems like mostly patient teaching and care coordinating. The idea of a slower paced clinic setting appeals to me but I know the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Anyone made a transition similar to this? Are you surviving? Regrets?

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I work in an outpatient setting. I can tell you I do get bored with my job and think about getting back into acute care even as a PRN or part time. Keep in mind that it is busy, but a different type of busy.

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I left a level 2 trauma center ER because I thought the grass would be greener at a clinic. Went to work at a busy urgent care for 2.5 years. Had 3 RN's, 2 providers, 1-2 MA's, and saw 80-110 patients per day. Ran my butt off for 14 hour shifts (12 hour shifts were actually 0730-2130, because you had to open and close the clinic). Had to triage and start interventions for patients that walked in with STEMI's, stroke symptoms, allergic reactions. It was amazing that people think Urgent Care=ER. I was the EKG tech, the respiratory therapist, the IV therapist who accessed ports and started all IV's. It was challenging and rewarding, and I made great friends at this clinic. But after a while, I became tired of the never-ending strep throat cultures, sprained ankles, STD exams, and longed for the higher acuity patients in the ER. The pay at the clinic was almost half of the hospital, and eventually I returned back to the ER, where I feel at home, and appreciate the daily challenges I face. So for me, my foray into the clinic was not a waste of time. It taught me that I am wired for the ER.

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I think with your background of 5 years in the hospital it would be safe for to try out clinic without worry because you have solid acute care exp. If you don't like it you can just go back. Like previous posters clinic is a different kind of busy and there are times you miss the acuity. I personally miss working with other nurses "in the trenches".

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Specializes in ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, community health.

I have worked in ER for 20 years and recently left for a change. I am starting a job in a mobile clinic. I'm a little nervous.

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I can related I work as an ER tech while in LPN school and now I'm working urgent care. I love that fact that we close the doors at night and I'm not dead dog tired when I leave but I do miss a good trauma and the fast pace of the ER. I may return once I get my RN...but who knows.

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I have been working 2 years in the ER at a small hospital. I am switching to a community clinic. I am hoping I will enjoy it but am nervous to make the change, too. I hope it worked out well for everyone!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

I went from inpatient OB/L&D to outpatient OB/Gyn. Love it. Never going back to bedside.

Ah, I see I got sucked into another zombie thread.

Read the dates before responding, Kerry.

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My part was recent. Thanks for the feedback. I hope I love it too :-)

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I went from inpatient OB/L&D to outpatient OB/Gyn. Love it. Never going back to bedside.

Ah, I see I got sucked into another zombie thread.

Read the dates before responding, Kerry.

Don't worry, Kerry! I'm here! :) do you like labor and delivery? I really want to go into that specialty once I graduate but I want to know your opinion.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Don't worry, Kerry! I'm here! :) do you like labor and delivery? I really want to go into that specialty once I graduate but I want to know your opinion.

You should check out the OB/Gyn nursing forum, then! Lots of posts and stories that I'm sure you would find interesting.

Ob/Gyn Nursing

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