Office nurses ARE real nurses!!

dishes, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2009

I understand what you mean, some nurses have a narrow view of what other nurses do, but really who cares? It's up to the individual nurse to take responsibility for working in an environment that he or she is passionate about.

I am glad that a large number of nurses have done this in many different areas nursing. The more I learn about what other nurses do... the more I appreciate nurses in general.

BSN75 · Sep 24, 2009

I suppose you're right, Thanks!:heartbeat

cjcsoon2bnp, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 24, 2009

Of course your a real nurse! Nurses work in long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, schools, companies, communities, offices, clinics and yes hospitals. We need to stop thinking that if your not in a hospital then your not a nurse its just stupid. End of story.

!Chris :specs:

BSN75 · Sep 24, 2009

Of course you're right....Thanks:yeah:

ATX-RN · Nov 8, 2009

I have a Masters degree in Adult Health nursing and I am proud to be in ambulatory care. It's my passion, so I am happier there and do my best work. It degrades our profession as a whole when nurses say that those that do not work in hospitals are not REAL nurses. It may sound silly, but it does take a village to help care for the sick and prevent illness in those that are not. Those of us that work with the chronically ill are striving to keep our patient out of the hospitals. I am glad there are nurses who are passionate about working in the hospital. But what happens to your patients when they are no longer in the hospital. Who cares for them when they are discharged but still barely making it on there own?

Thankfully as nurses we have many choices about where to practice our profession. If we are in fact going to continue to be a "profession" we need to support each other as such. If we do not do this, we will continue to be treated as a trade.

npoprn · Nov 16, 2009

The best nurse is a happy nurse who does it for the patients not the paycheck. Doesn't matter where.:redpinkhe

In the near future, we will see less hospital beds available and more home care and office nurses needed.

Care4U391 · Nov 18, 2009

I give better care to my patients at the clinic than I do at the Hospital. I help to prevent serious problems for my patients . It is a wonderful feeling knowing I have at least made people think about their choices. We provide more education than people realize about the diseases and monitor them more closely. We have to know so much more about disease processes than other nurses realize. We do not get payed enough for all the knowledge and expertise that is involved in counseling our patients.

smilealot · Dec 12, 2009

I have only been working in a clinic for 4 months as a new grad and all I have heard is that I am not a real nurse and I wont be able to get a job in a hospital later. We do a lot here! We see all types and ages of patients and some come in really sick and need to be flown out. We do Nebs, EKGs, IV's for fluids or antibiotics, lots of wound care, NST's, casting, and limited med admid..... so its not the ER or a med surg unit but I don't see why I wouldn't be able to work in a hospital eventually. I think I am a real nurse (-:

jjjoy, LPN · Dec 12, 2009

It's no mystery why to many people's minds RN = acute care nurse. Many people know that there are different levels of nurses and thus may reasonably, though incorrectly, assume that the "highest" level of nursing licensure is for the "highest" (most unstable pts) level of nursing care. Some non-acute care nurses may get similar questioning of their capabilities as an early childhood or home ec teacher.

Within nursing, many nursing programs over the years were specifically created to train up hospital nurses. And RN clinical rotations still are predominantly in acute care settings. It can seem like a waste to some to go through all that rigor related to acute care nursing, and then choose a path that doesn't build upon that. And to others, the only reason to take a nursing job with less pay is because they can't keep a job with higher pay d/t lack of skills and competence.

I'm not excusing dismissive attitudes, just looking at the basis of some of the assumptions underlying that kind of attitude.

tewdles, RN · Dec 13, 2009

HHHMMM

A good office nurse makes sure that the abnormal PaP results get immediate attention, that the routine medical management of chronic diseases is scheduled, and that the person visiting feels like they are at their "medical home". The good office nurse keeps track of mammograms and venograms and immunizations. They make phone calls to check up on fragile patients. They send people to the hospital, to the LTC, to the grocery store. They teach on every subject under the sun. They guide and mentor the other office staff in matters of HIPPA, health, and a wide varieties of "how to's". They know their patients, sometimes having years of history with them. Office nurses see their patients at their best and at their worst. They comfort the moms of teens and the teens of the moms. The office nurse can know that "little Barbie" is sexually active long before mom does and can help to keep little Barbie safe while keeping that secret in church and elsewhere. Office nurses can poke and prod you and find places to put medication that small children and grown men do not want to take. They can take your temperature, take your history or take out your PICC line. If you have a headache they will comfort you. If you have a hemorrhoid they will have you bent over with your pants down so fast your head will spin. Office nurse love gloves and lubricant and sharp things...

Office nurses are real nurses in every way.

karenchad · Dec 17, 2009

back in the 1970's) we, I , had the view that a nurse was in a white uniform- dress and cap. I went to a 4 year college program and on my first rotation- Public health, became scared to death, they also mentioned the term NURSE PRACTIONER, I flunked the semester, came back home to mom and dad and went to a hospital diploma program- something I could relate to, we were trained, educated, groomed what ever,to be 'a hospital nurse'. That is what I have been for 30 years, now I wish I was able to find a clinic nursing position- it sounds alot more enjoyable, from the above posts, than my going back to another hosptial enviornment when all this mess in nursing is starting to clear. I envy all above who have clinic positions- want to change places? They sound like great places to work- a vast variety of patients with a good skill mix. And I think the pace can keep anyone hopping, so bordom would not be an issue. I have applied to a few but have no responses. Would a clinic throw older RN's out to the curb the way the hospitals and LTC have.?