Is Phys. Office nursing "Really Nursing"?

Specialties Ambulatory

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I am going through school with a friend, (we are taking our pre-req's together), and I happened to mention that I was interested in working in a Physicians office. To which she said, " I don't really consider that nursing". I was slightly taken aback, and thought that was a pretty snobby view to take...I mean, it's not floral arranging. It's nursing. Nursing is nursing, right? I know there are many different fields and specialties, and I happen to think Physician's office nursing sounds like a good fit for me. Regular hours, weekends and holidays off. I like the idea. And, I like the feeling of being in a smaller place than a hospital.

Frankly, I think if you're good, it doesn't matter where you work.

Do other people have this view of office nursing?

Specializes in L&D, peds NN, and recently outpatient..

Just to add my two cents....I am stll at my offie after almost 10 years and each day brings something crazy and new! I do know one thing..........after 10 years, the doc I work for eats horribly! :angryfire

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Specializes in med surg and ob/gyn.

Yes, office nursing is "Real Nursing" The scope of nursing comes in many avenues. I have worked in an ob/gyn office for 9 years. I enjoy it very much.

Nursing isnt just about hospital nursing. Remember nursing is about teaching and the care of our patients. I assist the doctors with phone triage, H&P intakes, minor procedures, administering medications, teaching pts about meds, prenatal care and so on. I use many nursing assessment skills in our office. I may not give meds through IV's or insert a NG tubes, but I do insert foleys, change dressings etc. Not all of the practical skills we learned are used in every scope of practice, but we use what is important pertaining to what applies to the position we are working in. So choose a scope of nursing and go for it. If down the road you choose to change fields...thats fine too. Find your niche and enjoy the rewards of nursing. I get alot of positive feedback from my patients and the Dr. I work for. Not all doctors are arrogant. I wouldn't trade my employer for anyone. She is professional, caring and kind. I love working in an office. I have great hours, a life with my family, vacations 401k etc. Just keep looking for the right one. I like the fact that I get to know my pts. and see them month after month and yr after yr, unlike the hospital where you only care for most pts short term. Well anyways I hope this helps you with your nursing career choices. have a great day!

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Specializes in OB, M/S, HH, Medical Imaging RN.

Sorry posted in wrong thread.

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Specializes in Neurovascular, Ortho, Community Health.

So basically nurses have to use their hannds & not their heads to be considered "real nurses"? Give me a break. Just because they aren't emptying bed pans doesn't mean they aren't performing critical nursing skills. Triage anyone??

I am a new graduate (although I've been a cath lab tech for a year and a CNA for 5 years before that) and will be beginning a position as a community clinic nurse in 2 weeks. I will be in charge of triaging patients (both phone & in-visit), interpreting critical lab and test results and arranging for appropriate follow-up care, pt education, case management, and much more that is all "real nursing." And I have absolutely NO doubt that I will use just as much of my nursing knowledge as the nurse inserting catheters at the local hospital.

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I am going through school with a friend, (we are taking our pre-req's together), and I happened to mention that I was interested in working in a Physicians office. To which she said, " I don't really consider that nursing". I was slightly taken aback, and thought that was a pretty snobby view to take...I mean, it's not floral arranging. It's nursing. Nursing is nursing, right? I know there are many different fields and specialties, and I happen to think Physician's office nursing sounds like a good fit for me. Regular hours, weekends and holidays off. I like the idea. And, I like the feeling of being in a smaller place than a hospital.

Frankly, I think if you're good, it doesn't matter where you work.

Do other people have this view of office nursing?

Find yourself another friend. I have worked in several different areas that some would consider "not real nursing" like LTC, corrections, HH, in addition to hospital nursing. I take every opportunity to correct them when they start dogging these specialties. It's easy to degrade something when you don't know anything about it. Not many of these "real nurses" could deal with the number of patients, hours, conditions or lack of resources that nurse take for granted in a hospital setting. Could I thrive in an ED or ICU setting? Probably not as the constant "beep beep beep" of monitors would make me nuts, but if you need to have someone that is able to pass meds in a safe, timely and compassionate fashion to 25-200 folks, I'm your gal. Everyone is talented in their own way, and we have to embrace all of our differences if our profession is to thrive. :redpinkhe

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