Hospital vs. Clinic

Loo17 · Feb 6, 2015

If you do not see a future for yourself in hospital nursing, I think the clinic would be great but you are correct you will lose acute care skills. You are still fairly new so if you see yourself wanting an acute care position in the future I would not recommend going to a clinic at this point.

FlyingScot, RN · Feb 6, 2015

If you do not see a future for yourself in hospital nursing, I think the clinic would be great but you are correct you will lose acute care skills. You are still fairly new so if you see yourself wanting an acute care position in the future I would not recommend going to a clinic at this point.

This is rather a broad brush you're painting of clinic nursing and without knowing the type of clinic it is may not be entirely or even remotely true. I currently work in a very busy oncology clinic with extremely sick patients. I use acute care skills all day, every day and haven't lost any of them OR my ability to assess and critically think.

Loo17 · Feb 6, 2015

This is rather a broad brush you're painting of clinic nursing and without knowing the type of clinic it is may not be entirely or even remotely true. I currently work in a very busy oncology clinic with extremely sick patients. I use acute care skills all day, every day and haven't lost any of them OR my ability to assess and critically think.

The OP said a con was losing hospital skills. I made the assumption this would not be a clinic as you describe for this reason. Regardless my personal opinion is that a new nurse should not work in a clinic if they hope to work in an acute setting again in the future. With less than a year experience most new grads haven't really had the opportunity to perfect assessment or critical thinking skills. This is just my opinion based on the limited information and pros/cons in the post.

FloatFNP-C, BSN, MSN, NP · Feb 6, 2015

It's an adult pulmonolgy clinic. I have no idea how busy or acute it would be.

FlyingScot, RN · Feb 6, 2015

The OP said a con was losing hospital skills. I made the assumption this would not be a clinic as you describe for this reason. Regardless my personal opinion is that a new nurse should not work in a clinic if they hope to work in an acute setting again in the future. With less than a year experience most new grads haven't really had the opportunity to perfect assessment or critical thinking skills. This is just my opinion based on the limited information and pros/cons in the post.

And I agree with you on that point. At the same time I feel it's necessary to dispel the myth that clinic nursing, in its entirety, is not acute care. That might be the case for some facilites but not for all and the face of ambulatory nursing is changing. With shorter hospital stays more and more patients are being seen in ambulatory settings while still in the acute phase of their illnesses. In addition, with the overcrowding of EDs across the country we are seeing an increase of really ill patients who did not want the ED experience of long waits.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Feb 7, 2015

Says who? I'm clinic, highly specialized and do many things you think only "hospital nurses" do!

If you do not see a future for yourself in hospital nursing, I think the clinic would be great but you are correct you will lose acute care skills. You are still fairly new so if you see yourself wanting an acute care position in the future I would not recommend going to a clinic at this point.

FloatFNP-C, BSN, MSN, NP · Feb 7, 2015

Maybe I am wrong to say a "con" is losing acute care skills. I will probably lose some for sure and gain specialized pulmonary skills.

Loo17 · Feb 7, 2015

Says who? I'm clinic, highly specialized and do many things you think only "hospital nurses" do!

Oh my goodness. I didn't mean to offend anyone. Switching to different areas of nursing ANY area, you will lose certain skills because you wont do them. Whether it be IV skills, infusion skills, wound care, medication knowledge, etc. Of course it will depend on what type of clinic you go to - a pulmonary clinic you will maintain certain skills such as lung assessment skills, but you probably wont be assessing wounds, doing CPR, or pushing meds in a code situation. I haven't always worked in a hospital and I have nothing against clinic nurses. I see clinic work as a specialty and with any specialty it can be difficult to branch out afterwards. Not impossible but difficult. A new grad has not honed in on their skills yet. It would be nice if people just expressed their opinion instead of criticizing mine. Its just my personal opinion based on the very limited information in the first post. I want to make sure I am clear: I have nothing against clinic nurses. The skill set of clinic nurses is often different (not less, different) than that of a nurse in an acute care setting.

Silver144 · Feb 11, 2015

Even though it might be preferable to have more hospital experience before going to the clinic, my gut says, "Take the clinic job". You should logically weigh the pros & cons of each, and then listen to that inner voice that guides us to what will make us happiest.

Tropical_rn1 · Feb 11, 2015

Hi AN family! I have a third world problem I was wondering if I could get some advice on.
I'm about 7 mo into my BSN nursing career and recently was switched to day shift so I could orient on critical care (I am on the float pool). OH MY GOODNESS how much better do I feel! I love DAYS! I do not want to go back to night shift in a month. I've gained weight and it makes me feel just awful and sleepy all the time.
I've told my boss my preference. I will probably be next in line for days but there is a surplus of RNs on that shift and not enough on nights... I'll be on nights for a while.
A very renowned clinic associated with a hospital has asked to interview me next week. It's 9-5.
Pros: Better shift; I have a life before and after work; I will be able to go to the GYM and feel healthier; more time with my BRAND new husband :); specializing. Never again 6 PATIENTS!
Cons: Not having 3-4 days off a week; I will lose my hospital skills I've been busy gaining for the last 7 months; I will lose 2.5 years seniority at this hospital.
Having just starting my nursing career, I am nervous about leaving the hospital so soon. On a side note, we are going to start having kids within the next year and I wonder what schedule (12's vs 8's) is better (I'll be part-time). I am also thinking about going for my FNP and wonder if hospital experience is valued more/will help me more in school.
I would love some input from different perspectives since all of you have such vast experience and advice! Thanks for reading.

Hi! I would love to offer you some advice because I feel like you just described me completely! I work in a hospital and on nights. I am in my 3rd semester of an FNP program...I was working three 12's but it became i became worried about how I was going to have the time when clinicals start so I took a weekend option spot. I love it except that it's still nightshift and I lose a day sleeping after my shifts! I recently got injuried and have been on light duty for the last month on dayshift and oh my goodness! I like you feel soooo much better! I am more focused and love being able to study in the evening! I never want to go back to nights either and I'm hoping I can make a change. Days are staffed well in my situation too. I am looking elsewhere because of this. If I were you I'd go for the clinic! You being happy and healthy is much more important! Don't worry about needing hospital experience for an FNP program. All of my precepters are NOT in the hospital setting!

[email protected] · Feb 11, 2015

your so right! I went from 3 yrs of hospital experience(Med surg, urolog, oncology, & orthopedic)said I wasn't going to out long, went to outpatient, chronic Hemodialysis, yes it's a speciality area. we have CPR codes too! that beig said, Hospital staff have other medical staff & equipment to help with their codes, Dialysis has not half of that! we are on our own. I wanted to keep my foot in the hosp setting too, but got too laxed, been ou for 3 yrs now. wany to go back, but afraid. you will lose your skills if you stay out too long. a pulmonary does non of this!!