front desk job at a medical office ?

PixieButtercup · Nov 25, 2011

I worked as a receptionist at a pediatrician's office while I was in nursing school and there were really no skills that carried over to my nursing job. It might also depend on the kind of office you are talking about. The office I worked in, the back office girls basically did throat cultures, vitals and vaccinations. But it might get your foot in the door when/if a back office position opens up. Or maybe one of the doc's could put in a good word for you at the hospital once you have been there for a while? It definitely will give you some customer service skills, though. Good luck!!

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Nov 25, 2011

I would take it. Anything that will get your foot in the door. This is just my opinion.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 25, 2011

I think it's a better option than the home health one. It does give you a chance to get your foot in somewhere and to start networking. Depending on the type of office and your job duties you may be able to utilize some of your nursing skills. It's safer to your license. And it's a paycheck while you keep searching for other positions.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Nov 25, 2011

sure, if you can get work there, go ahead. just don't be under any illusions that being the front desk "girl" will have anything at all to do with nursing. there's not going to be any "networking" from that desk that will get you in the door at a hospital or agency where you would do, like, actual nursing; if you apply for nursing jobs, it won't carry any weight at all, either.

might as well expand your job search to macy's if all you want is work with a customer service focus. they probably pay better too. :twocents:

su9032 · Nov 25, 2011

What about applying for a "unit secretary" position at a hospital. At least you could become familiar with a unit and make contacts and prove yourself as a hard worker with good customer service skills. You would also be an internal employee and learn how to navigate the computer system, put in orders, etc.

Also, have you tapped into all your personal resources? Do you have friends or family that could tell their unit manager about you and recommend you. Then you could go in and meet the manager with resume & cover letter in hand. Sometimes that works faster than getting through HR.

maelstrom143 · Nov 25, 2011

No. I would be looking at being a HUC/secretary at a unit hospital, if I were you. Although, our HUCs have to be cross-trained to work the floor when short of CNAs. The best nurses I have encountered have usually been CNAs before they became nurses. :twocents: Customer service skills are important, but will not CYA as fas as nursing goes.

allnurses Guide · Nov 25, 2011

No. A front desk job is not going to help you. Largely you will be checking people in, having them sign forms, collecting copayments, answering phones, checking people out and getting charts ready for the back office. It won't open doors or make connections because you won't have contact with other physicians and the one you work for will not be appreciative if you take the job only in hopes that he can help you get a foot in the door of whatever hospitals he is on staff with.

You can take that kind of a job to help pay the bills - beats waiting tables. But it won't do a thing for your nursing career and it won't pay well. $12/hr on average in most parts of the US.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Nov 25, 2011

GRAB that! With any luck this will become your niche.

You will avoid years of abuse and stress in the hospital setting.

jadedgreeneyes · Nov 25, 2011

I am going to have to respectfully disagree with everyone who is telling you not to go for this position. I worked a front-desk position at a physicians office while in nursing school and several years prior. This gave me invaluable experience that helps me so much today as a floor nurse.

The physician I worked for loved to teach and often gave me tidbits here and there. Dealing with frustrated/difficult patients has really helped me manage them in the hospital. Knowledge of insurance carriers has been very helpful. Taking refill request from patients helped me become familiar with medications/generic names and classes. I also frequently helped out in the back when it was busy, taking vitals, doing patient health historys etc.

If this is a viable option for you at this point, ie. you could survive on the pay, I say go for it. And as far as no networking opportunities, HAHAHA! You will be meeting MANY pharmaceutical reps, home health managers, hospital officials and other MDs. This could be an awesome position for you to hear about other opportunities in your area! :yeah:

SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS · Nov 25, 2011

GRAB that! With any luck this will become your niche.
You will avoid years of abuse and stress in the hospital setting.

Nope. Our front desk staff are waaaay abused by patients on the phone and in person. They treat the RN's, MA's, and docs with respect though!

netglow, ASN, RN · Nov 25, 2011

Well as someone else just posted I also ran an office doing all things during nursing school: prelim triage and making/changing the doctors schedule, all treatment plans, all referrals, all clinical liaison work with surgeons/specialists one to one, all education, dealt with patient "issues" as I saw fit, all insurance filing and follow up, all chart management, all money issues, etc. I could pretty much have a patient fired from our practice without much lobbying. The doc and I were always in agreement in stuff like that.

I've got a business background as well, an have thought that some administrators do very well. Maybe that would have been the easier road to pursue for a more stable career?!