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

Specialties NP

Published

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!

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I live in central IL and we have two "Quick-Care" centers here. I actually spoke to the President of the two clinics - its a PA and an MD collaboration. We didn't discuss salary or anything like that.

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newsweek this week actually did an article on the "minute clinic" concept -

express lane medicine: retail clinics grow and some physicians aren't happy

july 30, 2007 issue - chris frazier looks sick. his head aches, he's congested and he's decided to get help. a woman in a white coat directs him to an exam table and asks about his symptoms. it seems like a normal trip to the doctor--except that just 15 feet away, cash registers are ringing up cheerios and tater tots. instead of wasting an hour in his doctor's waiting room, frazier is at a rediclinic located inside an h-e-b superstore in katy, texas, where a nurse practitioner quickly diagnoses his sinus infection and prescribes an antibiotic. the visit costs a fraction of what his doctor charges--and the next time he's sick, frazier says, he'll be back.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19886666/site/newsweek/

i was disappointed they didn't ask aanp, or even quote an np (though they did have pictures) - they asked a bunch of physicians what they thought. the patients were really happy, though!

i'm curious to hear more about what np's have to say about the care they give. would you recommend it for a new grad? is it challenging enough to keep up your skills? seems like it's getting to be a hot topic... and they're recruiting fairly aggressively.

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Worked with an NP today who works at the Redi-Clinic: she makes $76,000.

For all ya'll curious about the salary

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Hey all,

I was wondering what the perception was of NPs working in retail clinics such as Minute Clinic or Take Care etc.... Are these clinics a good starting point for new grads? I was considering applying for such a position, but I have some reservations. How is the pay? Also, would it be easy to transition from these clinics to private practices or other settings down the road, Or would it be a hard sell to a future employer? Just curious...

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello and welcome to allnurses.com and the NP forum

Good to have you with us.

Here are a couple threads about the topic:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f34/nps-minute-clinic-retail-setting-129113.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f34/minute-clinics-we-being-used-215587.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f34/any-nps-working-rediclinic-minuteclinic-192545.html

Hope you enjoy the site.

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Hey all,

I was wondering what the perception was of NPs working in retail clinics such as Minute Clinic or Take Care etc.... Are these clinics a good starting point for new grads? I was considering applying for such a position, but I have some reservations. How is the pay? Also, would it be easy to transition from these clinics to private practices or other settings down the road, Or would it be a hard sell to a future employer? Just curious...

I would second Siris comments. Most of your questions are answered there. You do bring up a new question. How will this be looked at by future employers. I think that it depends on the feelings of the local medical community. If they dislike the concept then it might be a significant negative.

For your other questions

I feel that this is a poor starting point for a new grad. There is minimal support with no real mentoring opportunities. This is cookbook medicine and will not allow you to develop diagnostic skills. Given the lack of development it would be hard to transition to FP. The information that I have from one of the executives who posts on the PA board is that they only hire experienced people. Whether this is true with all providers or happens nationwide I have no way of knowing. They have a lot of people that are 15-20 years out and looking to slow down.

David Carpenter, PA-C

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I feel that this is a poor starting point for a new grad. There is minimal support with no real mentoring opportunities.

I want to second that. IMO? These clinics are no place for the new NP grad.

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For what it's worth, they also told us at my school not to do retail clinic as a new grad. For the reasons CoreO and Siri have said. Salary is nice, FP experience not so nice.

Apparently they want experienced providers - but when they can't get them they go for newbies. They are recruiting new grads where I am because of the rapid growth of these clinics in my area.

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I have been approached to say the least by several Retail Clinics and wanted to talk with someone who actually has worked or is working in one of these type clinics. I have some basic questions such as hours, on call, benefits package. Any help would be appreciated.

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

I agree that it probably isn't a good place for new grads. In fact, I was talking to a recruiter a while ago for MinuteClinic and she said they don't want new grad FNPs, and they hire many more NPs than PAs due to the autonomy issue. However, it is growing by leaps and bounds now and is generally well received by patients -- the people who actually give us the money. Walmart and Target are quickly expanding into this and, well, as Walmart goes, so goes America. I do feel it's going to be a huge opportunity for NPs in the future in many aspects. It will be a great PR/public education vehicle for the general masses to know what NPs are and do. And its becoming increasingly profitable -- these money-loaded chains are willing to pay top dollar. My buddy is a pharmacist for Walmart. One thing about them -- they pay their associates next to nothing..but very generou$ to their professional employees.

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Specializes in ARNP, FNP-BC.

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

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

I was just getting ready to point you to that thread, RNBillie. Glad you found the answer to your question. Good luck.

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