First interview as an RN....nightmare!

[SammyRN2012]

So my first interview was ultimately a nightmare. It was for an Office RN position at a busy family practice associated with a big hospital. Met first with HR, and it went well. I then was asked to meet with the office manager as it seemed they were interested. I entered the facility and i got such a bad vibe. Met with the manager only to find out there would be only ONE RN for this busy practice. I would be expected to give vaccines, answer triage calls from front desk at any given time, see pts for teaching, assist the providers with procedures and jump to help the Medical assistants if the run behind. Mind you there are 2 medical assistants and only one RN. How the heck would I be expected to all this alone? Oh, and the best part was when i asked about the orientation she said it would be with her and the Medical assistants would check me off on my nursing skillls...what??!! Um no thank you! Being checked off by non clinical staff is not appropriate. I would also be reporting to this non clinical manager with absolutely no nursing support. She asked me if I knew anything about lab values. I was like, well of course i do, I am an RN and studied lab values over the course of nursing school. Such a stupid question. She then proceeded by saying "oh good, because I don't". Um okay...

I was expecting to shadow a nurse at another outpatient site for a few weeks, as most clinics do, but that wasn't the case with this place. Is it just me, or is this clearly absurd?! I was so turned off by the end of the second interview that i just wanted to exist ASAP. She asked me when i would be able to start so I guess she was interested. I would have to be crazy to accept this position if I were to receive an offer. I know that i am a new grad and that i cannot be too picky, but i don't want to work for organization that doesn't support new grads. Sorry but i am not going to get burnt out in my first year out of school. I currently have a non clinical full time job so it's not like I'm unemployed. I'm continuing on for BSN and will be done by next year. Any thoughts about my experience? Advice? Is this common? Sorry for rambling, but i was just so upset...

[ozoian]

Don't do it! Think about your license!! BEtter things are coming your way:w00t:keep searching for that dream job! I got mine recently and I just kept looking!

[Rednights]

Wouldn't do it. Looks like they want a more experienced nurse without realizing it.

[Leonardo Del Toro, RN]

At best they are a disorganized and unsafe workplace at worst they are using you and your licence. But you're right, a job these days is so rare you can't afford to lose this opportunity. I would accept the position but go over each point carefully. Ask your manager that before you sign anything you want to read your job description. If they don't have one I would be very suspicious if the do read every line and ask questions and take notes (in front of them). Don't feel intimidated.

[nursel56]

I will swim against the tide here . . having worked in family practice, allergy, dermatology and peds clinics and offices it doesn't sound that unusual to me. How insane it is depends on how many doctors are in the office seeing patients, how many they see, the average length of those appointments and how many procedures they do in the office as opposed to being sent to an offsite location.

If there is an MD present, he or she is responsible for what the MAs do. Depending on the state laws governing medical assistants they can give immunizations, and most of the other activities that take up most of your time (ie calling patients in and taking vitals, weights, heights and reason for visit).

The front office and MAs don't do patient education or telephone triage, but will transfer a call to a nurse if it is necessary. Clinics can get crazy busy it's true, but it isn't the same as being a new grad taking care of patients in the hospital.

Not saying you made the wrong choice, because you were there and caught the whole vibe - just saying what is typical in an environment like that. Honestly, the very fact that they want an RN there is a good sign. Too many doctors have MAs doing everything and just hope for the best.

[happyclinicRN, RN]

How many docs? If more than 2 I would be wary. If just one it is completely normal. I love clinic life and in the right environment you might too! No nights, weekends, or holidays to fight to get off!

[SammyRN2012]

2 docs & 2 NP's. Busy family medicine clinic. Medical assistants work up pts, vitals, EKG's and blood draws, order supplies.

[bayareastudent0711]

It sounds a bit dangerous, but just try it out. You'd be surprised how little employers support nurses. That's why nursing autonomy is emphasized a lot in school. Try it out, and you can always quit. You may like it, and it sounds like you will gain a lot of experience. Patient teaching. Medication Administration. Interpreting lab values. Triaging. Prioritization. Assisting in procedures that may help you out in the future when applying for a RN position caring for surgical population.