RNs being phased out of urgent care?

Specialties Ambulatory

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Has anyone else noticed a lack of RNs working at urgent cares in your area? I would love to work at an urgent care, but every clinic I've looked into is only using MAs or paramedics. Maybe it's not a new phenomenon, but I think it's kind of sad and disconcerting.

I'm sitting here laughing because our providers would NEVER attempt that skill! I suppose the true "walk in" clinics still exist, but most Urgent Cares are required to pick up the slack for their EDs and inpatient settings. This means inserting Foleys, straight cathing, IVs, even infusing monoclonal antibodies now with Covid.

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Specializes in Urgent Care NP, Emergency Nursing, Camp Nursing.
On 3/18/2021 at 8:29 AM, 2BS Nurse said:

I suppose the true "walk in" clinics still exist, but most Urgent Cares are required to pick up the slack for their EDs and inpatient settings. This means inserting Foleys, straight cathing, IVs, even infusing monoclonal antibodies now with Covid.

I don't know where you're getting "most" from.  At least in NJ, "most" Urgent Cares are either mom-and-pops or franchised chains independent from the local hospital groups.

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This is so interesting! Yes, I'm basing it on my experience. In the Midwest, we have a couple of very large companies attempting to take over (think Kaiser Permanente of Chicago). The "moms and pops" here don't typically last long. These large companies are fiercely competing with one another which makes it burdensome for staff. Clinics are staying open later and later. Sadly, they are also requiring more and more locations to stay open Christmas Day. 

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