tweinel

If you are in a hospital based clinic, generally you keep your same pay scale, when you transfer to that department. There are many benefits, but you also have to look at the hours of operation etc. I've done this and couldn't be happier. For the last 9 years I've received the same raises etc as if I were on the floor working. I wouldn't , however want an off site clinic job , due to the pay cut.

Guess What!!! You don't have to have tonsils to get strep!!! That's what we were always taught but my daughter has have it several times post T/A.

A rapid is just a screen, that's all. I never do just a rapid. You have to do a culture if the rapid is neg. Otherwise your are left in limbo, is it really neg or could it be pos. The rapid does pick up most of the strep bacteria. On a normal day if I test about 10-15 streps and culture say 8, I'll usually have at least one or two cultures come back pos. SO, If it were me and I still had symptoms, I would be evaluated by the MD and go from there. Maybe they will culture or Tx based on physical findings. Tricia

A rapid strep test and a culture are two different tests. When testing use 2 swabs. one for the rapid and one for the culture that takes about 24-48 hours to test if the rapid is neg. If the culture is negative you also have to consider cellulitis on the tonsils, Which I have expeirenced myself, or a tonsilar abcess. There are many other causes for pharyngitis than just strep. Bacterial or viral.. Good luck