EllenRNPHN

I work in UC and have for a little over a year now. It can get crazy but we all work very well together and pitch in when needed. It sort of depends on where you work too. The UC I'm at only has a 2 bed holding area. I tried working at a different UC that is much larger, two 5 bed holding ares, and I didn't care for it. We get a lot of people with chest pain or dehydrated so we frequently start IV's and draw labs. I like it but I know it is not for everyone. Maybe you can float ove there and get the feel of it.

Hi I don't know if I can be of help but I worked there in the late 80's in DOU. I took the critical care training class. Have you worked at another kaiser, or are you new to Kaiser in general? Have you started there already?

Hi again..... What is EMR? OK about those appts.... The appts are for the Family Practice providers working in the modules in the day time. That made me scratch my head too when it first heard of appts in the Urgent Care setting. In the evening however, after 5PM, all walkins are seen. And boy do they come.... but we see them all. Might mention clinic closes at 9PM, that is no more patients are checked in. So for 2 1/2 hours we finish up with what patients are there, documentation, etc. I think it works out well.

Oh my ....Where to begin...I worked yesterday evening for a nurse(4 - 11:30 pm, I usually work days) and was assigned to be the shot nurse. I had 2 other RN's that pitched in when I needed help. Lots of toradol shots!! In all wasn't bad. Ok, the check in process...everything is on the computer, well almost. Patient's are checked in, the name appears under the providers name on our computers, if they are there for an appt., or under the team leaders name if for an RN visit. If I see the patient I am able to change the patient to me as the provider. But even though they are on the computer we still get a check in paper!! However.......if a patient presents with an emergent problem, chest pain, sob, they come right in red flagged and are screened and taken care of right away. It gets tricky when several emergencies all at once!! Yeah, there is a pretty large staff, mostly on the day shift with one RN that comes in at 11:00 am leaves at 7:30 pm. Screening.....that goes fairly quickly...if they need care right away we get the mentor MD to give orders for treatment; if not we get them in for a sameday appt. (But if they are coming in for a shot or dressing changes we are able to check in the computer for the orders.)These go faster than a speeding bullet! Wow, 12 hour shifts.....they had this dept on 12 hours just before I came and abandoned them for 8 and 7 hour shifts. I'm on a 7 hour shift. Wish it were 8. I think it's the per diem pay issue. Yes, yes, I like Urgent Care. In the early 90's I was the lead RN in the Adult After hours urgent care when I lived in Los Angeles. Worked the 5-2AM shift while I finished my BSN. Then left it to work in Home Health. Never really liked Home Health. Too much paper work. After 14 years there, 4 years in the clinics, FP and IM, here I am back home!! :loveya: It's so.....so.....unstructured:rolleyes: I'm wondering.....why do patients in your uc fill out papers when they are checked in? Or is this just for the new patients? Illinoisnurse, your clinic UC sounds so nice. would like to hear more about it!

It is so good to see other posts for Urgent Care!! :loveya:I just started in UC the first of this month and liking it. I work for a Kaiser in So. Calif. and it gets pretty busy here. The dept is huge, 2 floors, so when I am shot nurse carrying the beeper it's like a marathon!! :eek:Oh, yes, we see a lot of people that should by all means go to the ER. Never a dull moment. Lately I've been working in the screening area and doing the RN visits. I've started working per diem here so I can take time off when I need to. I've heard turn over is high in this dept. and I can see why. As you can imagine I've been getting a lot of requests to work for other nurses so they can schedule a day off. Love to chat Illinoisnurse! Or other UC nurses.

I am so glad to read all the positive feedback on this stethoscope. I just ordered one from Jasco last weekend. Yes, I am concerned about loss so I ordered the plum color and will bring my old one to loan. I'm curious how this stethosope has one's name placed on it to identify it as YOURS. :confused:I am looking foreward to using it as my hearing isn't the best.

I looked at the web site. Interesting, the instructor is the same person for the class I'm taking. Same format too. Anyway, I am enjoying the reading. Plan to take the first module exam next month. Your ex-boss sounds like the supervisor over the dept I left. She gave nurses write ups for anything. She wrote me up for taking a morning off for an emergency even though a I went the proper channels. Guess what? After I left the dept she was promoted to director!!! Were you hired to the position you interviewed for? I just started working per diem in Urgent Care until I finish. Wow, now that's busy little place...Yeah, one year should do it:rolleyes: Thanks for the info:wink2: w

Gee, what is "AIHCP"? How long did it take you to complete the course? Did you like it? Sorry to hear you are having some difficulty getting hired. Don't give up!

Has anyone taken the online CM cert. course at Canyon College? I just started their online course this month. There are 5 modules that is spread over the course of one year. I have not taken the exam for the first module yet. :uhoh21: I'm really interested on some feed back on taking this course since I have not seen this mentioned in any blogs. Thank you

Ok I'm 58 now........Now this is a subject I've thought a lot about. Tomorrow I start my first day of working per diem. I am hoping to work to 65 since Kaiser will cover my medical IF I am in a benifited position when I retire. By working per diem now I'm hoping I will last. I've aches and pains that a 5 day schedule seemed to make worse. :grn: I think I can do it That's a cute message Judi Ann......Are you really bored???? Yikes!!

I'm not really sure of the definition of accelerated is, but being able to take a couple independent study classes while in classes that is physically attended sure sped the process up. I'm not sure if other private colleges do this but was a good plan to me:yeah:

I went through the accelerated program at Mt St Mary's college in Los Angeles to get my BSN. It cost a lot but WELL worth it. I started there when I was 30 and did fine. (this was in 1990)Finished in 1 1/2 years. They had some classes one could take as independent study or test out on if you feel you can. I had been a Psych Tech before I became an RN so I took the final exam for abnormal psychology and passed it. Check it out....

Thanks Aimers, I may take you up on PM you occationally.

I bet your job can be interesting. For some reason we don't have NP's at our clinic. There are some at the Med center though. It's weird, the longer I work at this clinic the more I like it. This clinic is pretty small but a new one is being built closer to my home and will be larger. Maybe similar in size as you discribed yours as. I am really looking forward to working there.

Thanks guys for your notes. Today I had some interesting visits. Along with everything else a guy came in because awhile back he had been treated for a boil on his butt. In the mean time he lost his medicle coverage. He had guaze packing under his skin. The packing was never removed when his coverage was stopped so his skin grew over it! I never know what will come in, what an adventure!