FNP in urgent care

[kelbeljo]

Hey guys! I was wondering if any FNPs with experience in UC could provide me with some insight. I am in my third semester of my FNP program and plan on working UC after graduation.

1. What are your hours? Holidays? weekends?

2. What lenght of orientation did you receive and what would be appropriate to ask for?

3. I am most nervous about xrays, suturing, and splinting. Are there any good resources for these?

4. What is an acceptable pay?

5. I am moving at the end of the year and starting at a new hospital. I have experience on a cardiac step down and observation unit. Should I try to work the ER? I have been a nurse for four years.

Thanks!!

[renzlao, MSN, APRN]

Im not an NP yet but I'm also in my 3rd semester of my FNP and I plan on working in the UC as well. I've been working in the ER, however, in the last 10 years. I find my ER cases really helpful because every time I see a new patient as a nurse , I do my own differential in my head. What I would ask for my ROS and what testing I would do. I then ask the MD why if the work up is a bit different. You get tons of experience splinting in the ER as RNs do that. Suturing, obviously we don't do, but I tend to observe what the docs do and always volunteer to be at their side if my patients are stable. I'm trying to make my work at the ER supplement my current NP education.

[kelbeljo]

Thanks for your reply! This is exactly why I feel like ER would be great for me, however I am nervous about the stress of learning a new work environment while in school. I have a couple of months to think about it. Thanks for your input!

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

Thanks for your reply! This is exactly why I feel like ER would be great for me, however I am nervous about the stress of learning a new work environment while in school. I have a couple of months to think about it. Thanks for your input!

What about looking for a RN job in Urgent Care? You won't see the acuity of patients that you see in the ER, but it will give you a first hand look at what the day to day workload is like.

I worked in Urgent Care for 4 years per diem as a NP. Pay was good as a per diem. The UC I worked at was part of a large primary care and multi-specialty practice, and was open 365 days. We did splinting, suturing, and minor procedures like I&Ds. We gave IV fluids and antibiotics, and had lab and xray on site. There were always at least 4-5 providers there, with 2 RNs, and several MAs. Radiology was available remotely to read xrays. They were open weekdays 9-8 and weekends 9-4.

I oriented for 2 weekends, as I had previous primary care experience and already knew how to suture (I took a class right after graduation) and do minor procedures. I enjoyed working in UC, as you saw a lot of different things and it was fast paced. Some smaller UC facilities might only have one provider on at a time, and I've seen postings for 3-12 hour shifts, with an every other weekend requirement. They usually want a couple of years of UC experience.

Best of luck to you with school and the move.