I just got hired in a plastic surgery clinic. Are these red flags?

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

Hi everyone!

I work bedside in the NICU for about 8 months. I hate it. Management sucks, completely understaffed so I've found myself in unsafe situations and so, on. I have a contract with them that I knew I would break eventually because I knew I wouldn't end up there for even a year.

I applied to a plastic surgery clinic position (cosmetic - Brazilian butt lifts, breast implants, tummy tucks, etc.) This plastic surgery is all over TV in my city even though he's just starting practice and he's pretty popular on social media. I had to do an online test, a phone interview, interview with the doctor and manager and finally an interview with his business advisor today (which I've never heard of having to do before). They all absolutely loved me. However, are these red flags?

1)I would be the only registered nurse working in the entire clinic. Surgeries are Tuesdays and Fridays and the doctor would be in another clinic Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays doing other surgeries. On M, W, F, I would be the one seeing every post-op patient from Tuesday and Friday by myself without having the doctor to consult. I would do patient education, dressing changes, and other stuff that for right now I don't know..

2) I would have to write his progress notes. They use Nextech, which I'm not familiar with but I'm really good with computers. However, writing his progress notes? That seems weird? He said it's because since he's only there Tuesdays and Thursdays, he wouldn't have a chance.

3) No insurance and no 401k. The business advisor told me they're in the process of getting it for the employees. My current job has both. Because of this, when we spoke about pay, I told them I would want the highest they're offering because it almost matches my current job. Surprisingly, they agreed and said I could be looking toward raises in the future.

4) They have another building they plan on moving to, that's bigger and owned since they're currently renting out. It's already built according to everyone, so the business advisor was trying to assure me that this is a real thing and that if I'm part of the team as they grow, it would be a huge learning experience for me. But how do I know that's really happening?

5) I would be with him Tuesdays and Thursdays as his scrub nurse I guess. He has 1 medical assistant currently and hiring 2 more. Do they help during procedures? What would be my role? I guess this isn't a red flag but I'm just confused.

6) He only wants a brand new RN. Isn't that weird for something so big like surgeries? He said he doesn't want nurses with bad habits and that he wants someone young because he's young and wants someone with him that's in the long-term. He told me his extremely strict, demanding but nice. He says he just wants his clients to get the best work, but how does he expect this with a brand new nurse?

7) Last but not least (sorry) - the staff briefly mentioned (like VERY briefly) that their only RN left. They have been in practice for less than a year, so I don't know what may have led her to leave beforehand? I might be looking into it too much but I feel like that's a major red flag?

Anyway, thanks so much guys. EVERY single comment means the world to me. My parents and other family members have been telling me I'm crazy for leaving my current job which has good pay, insurance, 401k and room for growth but I'm so depressed in that job. Breaking my contract is also something that will be big because of the money and the fact I'd be burning bridges with this hospital franchise but I don't mind, as long as I'm not making the wrong decision. But I'm not sure if I'm getting red flags. ?

3 Votes

Trust your gut. You know there are several things that don't seem right at this plastic surgery practice. I would be nervous in a place like that.

24 Votes
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

My guts aren't happy with the whole scenario.

Doing postoperative assessments with no doctor on site? No. Wants a brand new nurse "with no bad habits"? How about a seasoned nurse with no bad habits?

Writing his notes that he signs? And he bills for a doctor visit when no doctor is even in the building? I smell fraud.

I would respectfully decline this position. What to do about the current position that you hate? Tough it out or keep searching. Don't jump from the frying pan to the fire.

33 Votes
Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ICU.

Absolutely NOT, for multiple reasons. First, they're offering way too many promises and you have no reason to trust them. Second, I would never write a physician's progress notes. That reeks of laziness on his part. Third, no insurance or 401k? I'm highly skeptical the pay they're offering you will make up for that. Last, his comment about not just wanting a new nurse, but a young one? Creepy. I suspect he knows an older, more experienced nurse would never tolerate what they're about to put you through.

"After further consideration, I'll have to decline your offer. Thank you for the opportunity." Next.

31 Votes
Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

I agree. No way!! not safe at all. What happens when a pt deteriorates post op? A new grad had to deal with it alone? How would you get breaks if your the only one there? The last nurse didn’t last a year there, that tells you everything

I know your desperate to leave your job, I totally understand what that’s like. I’m currently feeling like that too. But I don’t want another job I don’t like, better to wait and be happy. Rather than move somewhere I don’t like, and start to look like a job hopper. Something better will come up for you.

10 Votes

You mentioned having to interview with the business manager. I did this with a wealthy home health client one time. His business manager was his attorney. The attorney scoped me out and laid down the law about my presence in that house and maintaining patient confidentiality. While unusual, I think it is a wise use of another set of eyes in evaluating an applicant.

4 Votes

You know writing his progress notes isn’t right on more than one level, but if he reads them and then signs them, before I did that, my paycheck better be at the premium rate, and not the least he feels he needs to offer in order to hook me. I really don’t see it possible that this would be the case.

5 Votes

I'd pass on this job.

9 Votes

"Bad habits" = hard earned experience. Only hiring new grads is the biggest warning. They are looking for someone who doesn't realize they are being taken advantage of, who will be fully blamed when things go wrong, and disposed of to make room for the next nurse.

You thought your old job felt unsafe? This is far worse.

24 Votes

Run far! Run fast! Don't look back!

11 Votes
1 hour ago, Wuzzie said:

Run far! Run fast! Don't look back!

This apropos quote should be added to the response template for immediate AN member use when responding to threads and posts.

10 Votes

Plenty of money for TV promotions and not enough for insurance or a 401k for you? Empty promises about future raises? What does that tell you.

24 Votes
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