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

[brownrice]

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!

[sirI, MSN, APRN, NP]

Threads merged for continuity.

[Joan Z]

I'm in the upper midwest, there is a clinic opening locally in a larger store (we don't have Target, but it's a similar chain) which is going to be affiliated with a local hospital and overseen by a group out of Green Bay. I don't know the management details. They are paying $50-60/hour (very good money for the area). I am trying to work out an agreement with my current employer to pick up a few hours on weekends.

[ANPFNPGNP]

i am a new grad fnp and recently applied for a position with the minute clinic. however, i am concerned that such a position will not be challenging enough to maintain my skills. what do other think about this this?

vivarn already asked this question and no one responded so i thought i'd give it another try. i'd really like to get some feedback on this topic.

update: i found the answer on the discussion below (for those interested), please disregard.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f34/nps-retail-clinic-252709.html

you are going to miss out on some much needed primary care experience if you go to work there. try to find a job in family practice and work under a doctor for a year before you get out there on your own. i've been a np for over 3 years, but i didn't start working in primary care until a year ago (i had only worked in urgent care and pain management). i'm amazed at what i see every day and personally feel that i should spend even more time with these doctors because there is so much to know. it scares me to see new np's out there on their own, because there's no telling what might walk through that door. i can tell you some stories...scary.

[RNBillie]

You are going to miss out on some much needed primary care experience if you go to work there. Try to find a job in family practice and work under a doctor for a year before you get out there on your own. I've been a NP for over 3 years, but I didn't start working in primary care until a year ago (I had only worked in urgent care and pain management). I'm amazed at what I see every day and personally feel that I should spend even more time with these doctors because there is SO MUCH to know. It scares me to see new NP's out there on their own, because there's no telling what might walk through that door. I can tell you some stories...scary.

Thanks for the response. I have a phone interview scheduled with the minute clinic but will most likely cancel it. After a lot of thinking I know in my heart that getting at least 2+ years of primary care experience in a group practice would benefit both myself and my patients tremedously.

The NP jobs for Family Practice are scarce here and the fact that the agency that I am currently working for as a RN will be losing their contract with my current employer in December (meaning I will be unemployed) MADE the minute clinic seem like a perfect job. I applied and didn't expect them to contact me since I am new grad, but when they did I can't lie....the idea of having a job made me happy.

I'am still looking for a primary care experience and am hopeful that I will find something:o

Wish me luck...

[joyrochelle]

So what about experienced NP's?

Am I selling my soul if i sing on to one of these positions?

They pay well (coming from a community health clinic salary!), offer a FABULOUS schedule-- and I find that attractive....

I feel somewhat of a pull to adding to the failure of our healthcare system though with this convenience to urgent care, that may detract from primary acre YET people cannot get in to SEE their PCP's when they need to urgently.... color me conflicted!

[cruisin_woodward]

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.

We have them here in Michigan. In the Metro Detroit area.