Starting in urgent care?

[CoolBeans7]

I graduated a few months ago and have been applying to urgent cares in the area. Some of the clinics have been interviewing to see if I am proficient in most of the skills and telling me that I would be the sole provider of the clinic and training typically lasts 2 weeks. My question to other NPs is how did you all get enough experience to land urgent care positions as relatively new nurse practitioners?

[MentalKlarity, BSN, NP]

1 hour ago, CoolBeans7 said:

I graduated a few months ago and have been applying to urgent cares in the area. Some of the clinics have been interviewing to see if I am proficient in most of the skills and telling me that I would be the sole provider of the clinic and training typically lasts 2 weeks. My question to other NPs is how did you all get enough experience to land urgent care positions as relatively new nurse practitioners?

Depends on your education quality and previous job as an RN. My program had dedicated weekly lab hours where we learned all the hands on skills like suturing and wound care and setting bones, etc. Many of the graduates who previously worked in the ED moved right into an urgent care. 

 

If you went to one of the for profit online programs where you never go to campus and complex modules online for your "education" I'm not sure you'd be ready for urgent care without extra training. There are great boot camps out there to teach those skills though! 

[203bravo, MSN, APRN]

It's the sole provider expectation that sets off warning bells for me. Especially for a new grad.

Exactly what type of cases will does this "urgent" care clinic see? Around where I live we have some so-called "urgent" cares that are really no appointment necessary, walk in, we aren't your primary care clinic type places.  Don't x ray, no fractures, no chest pains, no IVs, severe HTN call 911, severe HA call 911, etc.. they will mostly do flu, fever, don't feel good, having an asthma attack and need inhaler refills etc. very basics of labs (if any) .. could see new grad as a sole provider there. 

To get experience in a true urgent care environment there should be multiple providers on duty and optimally at least 1 physician 

[sleepwalker, MSN, NP]

On 7/31/2021 at 5:19 PM, 203bravo said:

It's the sole provider expectation that sets off warning bells for me. Especially for a new grad.

Exactly what type of cases will does this "urgent" care clinic see? Around where I live we have some so-called "urgent" cares that are really no appointment necessary, walk in, we aren't your primary care clinic type places.  Don't x ray, no fractures, no chest pains, no IVs, severe HTN call 911, severe HA call 911, etc.. they will mostly do flu, fever, don't feel good, having an asthma attack and need inhaler refills etc. very basics of labs (if any) .. could see new grad as a sole provider there. 

To get experience in a true urgent care environment there should be multiple providers on duty and optimally at least 1 physician 

This...

 

On 7/27/2021 at 10:36 PM, MentalKlarity said:

There are great boot camps out there to teach those skills though! 

and this!

[Jm0136]

Depending on your previous experience as a nurse and your level of training. 
I for one work in urgent care as a solo provider most days.  Typical day.  Volume is 50-60 plus given the recent covid surge. Acuity ranges from the common cold (more rare these days) to acute MI. Anaphylaxis.  Stroke.   Chest pain with suspected MI.  Respiratory failure. GI bleeds.  Hypertensive emergency.  Covid pneumonia.  Some very high acuity levels walking in the door at any given time and you are IT! Calling the shots in a split second. Knowing what drugs to give in emergencies and what not to give.  Ability to look at a 12 lead ekg and pick up subtle clues on interpretation that could mean life or death without intervention. 
long gone are the days of mild sore throat sneezes and sniffles clogging up urgent cares.  Patients no longer go to the doctor or specialist and they expect you to diagnose a problem they ve had for 30 years. 
So yes you will be basically running a mini Er so be prepared for all ages and types of acuity.   Good luck! Just know it ain’t no pick nick!

[GordonGekko, MSN]

On 7/27/2021 at 8:59 PM, CoolBeans7 said:

I graduated a few months ago and have been applying to urgent cares in the area. Some of the clinics have been interviewing to see if I am proficient in most of the skills and telling me that I would be the sole provider of the clinic and training typically lasts 2 weeks. My question to other NPs is how did you all get enough experience to land urgent care positions as relatively new nurse practitioners?

I recommend doing a procedures course as well as the Emergency Medicine Boot Camp.  Start listening to Urgent Care Raps and EM Raps whenever you drive in the car.

I am a solo provider and have been up to 120 patients in a 12 hour period.  Most days are around 75 and you get a mix of all kinds of things.  Never hesitate to send a patient to the ER if you think they need a higher level of care.  Never hesitate to call your medical director for a question.