New RN grad-Is Doctors office work a dead end?

[idahonurse5]

I am about to graduate with my RN and one of the best available jobs in my area is at the local family practice clinic. I have been commuting a long distance (132 miles round trip) for school the past 2 years (and have 3 kids!) and don't want to commute to the larger city where there are more hospital jobs available. Does anyone have insight into whether clinical work is a dead end? I worry about not using all the knowledge I have just worked so hard to gain!

[Melfldrn]

I worked in doctors offices for 13 years as a medical assistant and graduated last year with my BSN. The office experience didn't help me at all the get any jobs, unfortunately...granted, i was an MA but i worked closely with the docs and did the exact same job as the RNs that worked there. It is a different world from clinical nursing so it may come back to bite you down the road but if it's the only game you can get for now, go for it. But i would keep looking elsewhere while you're there so you don't lose your skills. Good luck!

[krisiepoo]

what are your long term goals? are you planning on staying in this small town for the near future? if you don't want the commute, then don't do it :)

There are tons of jobs that will be available outside of a hosptial: case manager, home nurse, clinical nurse, triage nurse, etc ...

you might not be using the technical skills, but surely you'll still use a lot of the knowledge of being a nurse

do what makes you happy