Office vs hospital?

[mkrn32]

Hi all. I am a current 2nd career nursing student. I am enrolled in an ADN program and I am close to being done. I currently work in a physicians office as a CNA and I have been doing that for about 6 months. Before that I worked at the front desk of the same office as a receptionist for one year before getting promoted. The doctors that I work for have basically offered me a job as an RN once I graduate but I am worried that staying in a physicians office will limit my marketability as a new nurse. I have gone back and forth between what would be better for my long term career- staying in the physicians office or changing to a med-surg hospital setting? Could I do both? To clarify, my doctors office has a surgical suite in it where we do outpatient procedures so there is more nursing care involved than your typical PCP office. Just wondering if any experienced nurses have advice or have been in a similar situation. Thanks for your help!

[RN403, BSN, RN]

I also worked in a PCP office prior to becoming a nurse. I opted to work in a hospital setting due to my career goals and where I see myself in the future. Maybe you could work per diem/reserve in the PCP office if you choose to work in the hospital setting.

Sounds like your PCP office is a little bit more than the typical setting. Sounds like you would still get great experience in the PCP office. Where do you see yourself in the future? That is going to be the most important factor towards your decision. If you are happy in your current setting and could see yourself as a nurse there long term then I would say stick with that PCP office. You can always switch to a different area of nursing later. Nurses switch career paths all the time.

Best wishes.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

It is extremely hard to get hired by a hospital after doing office nursing so if you think you want to end up in a hospital do that first. If you think you will be ok with outpatient stuff go with the MD office.

[naptimeRN]

I work in both settings. The clinic I work in is primarily surgical. The hospital and the ambulatory job both have pros and cons. If I had to choose which one job I would keep over the other, it would for sure be the hospital job. I learn more, I do more, it's less monotonous, and hours are more flexible. But that is just my opinion:) What interests you more?

[mkrn32]

Thanks everyone for your responses! I can't believe its been over a year since I posted this. Here's an update and another request for advice..

After passing my NCLEX in January I decided to stay at the physicians office where I have been working. I was lucky enough to begin training as a nurse for 5 months before I even graduated which made the transition very smooth! They made me sign a two-year contract and gave me a 5k signing bonus because they are having a difficult time hiring nurses (they can't pay for the experienced ones) so we are a bit short-staffed. I love the nurses and MAs that I work with and have realized that I am getting a lot more experience than I thought we would. We have expanded and now do vascular, interventional radiology and women's health procedures. I obtained my ACLS certification and I rotate between pre-op, OR and PACU which I think would translate to a hospital setting well.

While it was nice to not have to worry about finding a job after graduation I still felt I was missing out on something by not working in an acute care setting. My friend that works at a top ten hospital in the area gave my resume to her nurse manager and I have an interview scheduled with them this week. I was hoping I could get a prn job in this hospital and still keep my outpatient job but since I am still considered a new graduate I would have to do a PACE program which is full-time. Even though I obviously haven't gotten the job, I feel like this opportunity is too good to pass up. My plan is to eventually teach nursing at the academic level and since this is a teaching hospital and a setting that really prides itself on nurses continuing their education, I think I would get a lot of great experience. The only issue is that the floor is not a patient population I originally had my heart set on, though I am open to it.

I realize I haven't gotten the hospital job yet but I am curious to hear other's opinions on which route I should take. The benefits at the hospital are far superior to what I would get at my office job (though the office job pays about $4 more an hour) and the hospital will even help pay for my BSN and MSN. I am starting an RN-MSN program in May and I know this tuition assistance would help tremendously but I worry about starting a new job and school at the same time. I also don't want to have to pay back my sign-on bonus. HELP!!

[jerez01]

I am also a new grad RN, graduated last year 6/2015 and have worked at an outpatient office for 8 years. I have applied and applied and applied to CT hospitals all over to get in and get that acute care experience but none have called me back. I have an interview set up for yet another outpatient office and though I am grateful for the opportunity, I was looking to work in the hospital, build up skills set, and build up my resume. I wouldn't be able to do that so much in an outpatient setting.

I think that if you are looking to continue your education into a master's program, working in the hospital setting would be a wonderful experience no matter what unit. And some hospitals do allow you to transfer to a different unit after a year I believe, so don't let the offer make you feel like you're limited to just that position. It seems as if the hospital will offer a lot more for you and your future than the office setting. The sign on bonus is probably a lot less than what the hospital will pay for your courses, so paying that back is just a small sacrifice for what you're getting in return.

In any case you should go to the interview with a clear mind not thinking about any other job but the one they have offered. Make them believe you want that offer and that unit!

I wouldn't pass it up! But this is your decision and you should weigh the pros and cons! Good luck with your interview, review the hospital's mission statements, values and scenario questions! Good luck in your decision!

[mkrn32]

@jerez01 Thanks for the advice! I definitely plan on going into the interview with an open mind and I think you're right.. working at a hospital will definitely help with my future goals and make my MSN degree of more value. If offered the hospital position, I am considering telling my current employer I could stay on prn, if they aren't too angry with me

That is frustrating that you haven't been able to find a job in acute care and is the main reason and I am eager to move to a hospital now! Is the outpatient office affiliated with any hospitals? Have you tried looking into new grad residency programs? And what kind of work do you do in your office as an RN? Maybe you can beef up your resume with some buzzwords. For example, adding if you do any EKGs, immunizations, wound care, case management, etc. It seems like most of the students I went to school with have had no trouble finding jobs where I am (DC area). Best of luck to you!