NP's in Minute, Express, or Retail Clinic Setting

cgfnp · Nov 14, 2005

Anyone out there have the scoop on working in the new concept "Minute Clinic' and "Take Care" Clinics, which operate in Target store and retail pharmacy type stores like CVS? Apparently, the focus is on hiring NP's, with a physician network to consult when needed. I believe getting the folks who come in to fill their prescriptions at the store pharmacy where they are seen is the driving force behind this concept.
I am wondering what the starting salaries and benefits are like, working conditions, pro's and con's. I also see that they hire per a contract...I like to think that if a place is truly desirable/fair to its employees, a contract to lock you into something is not usually needed?
Thanks for any info available!

I wondered when these would enter the retail world. Just surprised Wal-Mart wasn't the first to do it. I haven't seen any in the midwest yet, although we're usually about 10 years behind the rest of the country.

MikeyJ, RN · Nov 14, 2005

I wondered when these would enter the retail world. Just surprised Wal-Mart wasn't the first to do it. I haven't seen any in the midwest yet, although we're usually about 10 years behind the rest of the country.

Wal-mart is on the bandwagon though. I know Wal-Mart has a contract with some large medical group (I forget the name) to provide clinics in select stores around the country.

cgfnp · Nov 15, 2005

Wal-mart is on the bandwagon though. I know Wal-Mart has a contract with some large medical group (I forget the name) to provide clinics in select stores around the country.

I figured that would happen. My bro is an optometrist for Wal Mart which led me to think that urgent cares were probably soon to follow.

brownrice · Nov 15, 2005

They are actually hiring like crazy in the Midwest right now, and in cities around Portland, Oregon. I do believe it is only a matter of time until they penetrate all markets throughout the US. Those curious can simply type in "minute clinic" on the browser to pull up info.

carachel2 · Nov 15, 2005

I've seen ads for the Wal MArt clinics with salaries quoted as 70-80's. I'm not a Wal Mart fan, but I'm thinking Target would be cool :)

DeigoT · Dec 31, 2005

Anyone out there have the scoop on working in the new concept "Minute Clinic' and "Take Care" Clinics, which operate in Target store and retail pharmacy type stores like CVS? Apparently, the focus is on hiring NP's, with a physician network to consult when needed. I believe getting the folks who come in to fill their prescriptions at the store pharmacy where they are seen is the driving force behind this concept.
I am wondering what the starting salaries and benefits are like, working conditions, pro's and con's. I also see that they hire per a contract...I like to think that if a place is truly desirable/fair to its employees, a contract to lock you into something is not usually needed?
Thanks for any info available!

Ok, so I had my first experience with minute clinic. What a concept! Well I felt a cold sore coming on and felt that a RX for Valtrex may help to stave it off. Called my primary and he was out for the holiday and the answering service didn't seem to know of anyone covering. I remembered reading about the minute clinic and found the closet one in Maryland. Well I drove down, waited at the Walmart for 5 mins then was seen. It was too easy. The NP and I spoke. As it turns out this is her third NP job and she felt it was the best. She liked the hours and the location. She was happy that she didn't have to deal with someone coming in with multiple disorders and insurance issues. She just liked the episodic visit, and didn't care that there wasn't any continuity. She described it as a very laid back job.

She also felt the downside was, there was some restriction and little autonomy. For exampe, when I told her why I was there and what I wanted, she looked in a book to see the protocol for that diagnosis. She said she could only precribe what's in the book and exactly the way it is written in the book. Otherwise she thought it was a great job. I was tempted, but just couldn't bring myself to asking the salary. Also, you need to be a family NP since you will be seeing children. There is a website with info on jobs. I believe it is www.minuteclinic.com This definately opens more opportunities for NPs.

DeigoT · Dec 31, 2005

OOPS! It was a Target, not Walmart.

brownrice · Dec 31, 2005

Hi There!

It was fun to read about a first-hand experience. I really believe there is going to be an explosion in growth for this type of healthcare. (I think that the warehouse superstore Costco will be next.) They already provide in-store hearing aid services and optical. As a concept, I believe it can only help everyone access healthcare without a huge office visit cost. Most regular office clinic providers only see the patient for about 5 minutes anyway!

Diego, are you an NP student? Darn, I wish you had gotten the salary! Oh well. Appreciate hearing about the visit!

DeigoT · Jan 1, 2006

Hi There!
It was fun to read about a first-hand experience. I really believe there is going to be an explosion in growth for this type of healthcare. (I think that the warehouse superstore Costco will be next.) They already provide in-store hearing aid services and optical. As a concept, I believe it can only help everyone access healthcare without a huge office visit cost. Most regular office clinic providers only see the patient for about 5 minutes anyway!
Diego, are you an NP student? Darn, I wish you had gotten the salary! Oh well. Appreciate hearing about the visit!

I have been an ANP (primary care) since 2001, but I am in transition, so I have not been working as an NP recently.

akoster · Jan 17, 2007

I am interested in a job that is going to be like the minute clinics and wondered if any of you are doing that? I wanted to know if you missed regular office primary care or thought that it would be hard to go back to primary care after that kind of a job?

swincha · Jul 30, 2007

Missouri now has NP's at Walgreens. They also have advertised to do the physicals for school.