RN vs. Clinical Nurse II

[Cheercrazee23]

I'm a New Grad RN and I am currently working in home healthcare. I have applied for many Nursing Jobs, and have been given offers in LTC but my desire is to establish my nursing career in a hospital setting. I recently interviewed for an RN position on a Med/Surg Tele floor. I am very excited and it's my first choice. My only concern is that the hospital is located about 45 mins from my home and will be about a 2 hour commute when traffic is factored in. I recently was called for an interview for a Nurse Clinician II position in the ER by a hospital that is 15 mins from my home. I understand that travel time will have to be a decision I ultimately make, but I am very much concerned by the job title. What is the difference between an RN and a Nurse Clinician II? They both require an RN license. Any information you can share will be gratefully received.

[klone, MSN, RN]

A clin II is usually a nurse who has at least a year of nursing experience and/or has completed a nurse residency. At hospitals that have residencies and a clinical ladder, a new grad nurse is a clin I, once they've completed their residency (or was hired as an experienced nurse), they are a clin II. Then when you get into Clin III or Clin IV, these are nurses who are on the clinical ladder program. Clin IV usually requires a graduate degree at most places I've seen that have clinical ladder programs.

If they're hiring you for a Clin II, they are probably expecting that you will not require a lengthy orientation/residency period.