Thoughts on working at a minute clinic for your first job?

SandBetweenMyToes, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2009

What is a minute clinic?

caliotter3 · Jun 26, 2009

A minute clinic is one of those clinics that operates in a pharmacy that employs NPs or maybe PAs to offer help to the public for minor illnesses and routine conditions. CVS Pharmacy is one of those that offer it.

VivaRN · Jun 26, 2009

In school we were told not to, and now that I'm in practice I can kinda see why... I learn so much from having other, more knowledgeable providers around, and being able to do labs, interpret the results, follow up with the patient, diagnostic testing, that would all be lost in the minute clinic setting.

I understand their utility in the overall healthcare system and do not begrudge the providers who work there. However, it seems like it would be difficult to go from a minute clinic to a more encompassing setting (as opposed to vice versa).

allnurses Guide · Jun 27, 2009

We were also told the same thing. It is not an ideal setting for a first job. You have to follow their very regimented protocols and you don't see a great breadth of patient issues. It doesn't seem like you would learn a tremendous amount there, plus there may be no one physically present to back you up or bounce things off of. However, several experienced NPs I know work at Minute Clinic part time (like 1 shift a week) and did say it's a great supplement to their incomes. It may be worth looking into once we have a few years' experience.

JaimeeG · Jun 29, 2009

I work in a retail clinic, and I have been out of school since December 2008. I started in a horribly hectic rural health clinic, where I saw everything and anything. I left each and every day feeling stressed beyond belief. In the retail clinic, I feel very relaxed and much more at ease. Granted, I am not seeing much challenging stuff, but that's okay for the time being. I do have a collaborating physician always available by phone so I feel very comfortable in what I do here.

I probably wouldn't have guessed I would be in a retail clinic so soon after graduating, but I think it's a good place for me at this point in my career. Someone mentioned the things that are "lost" in the retail clinic setting, such as doing labs, follow-up, etc. While we don't do blood draws, we still have to think critically and know when a patient is appropriate for us to treat here and which patients need to be sent on. It's probably not for everyone, but it's great for me for now!

Jaimee

MelissaCT · Aug 24, 2009

hi sally,

i started out in a retail clinic for my first np job. i knew there would be many things i wouldn't see/treat due to the limited scope of practice in that setting, however as i new grad i also didn't want to be overwhelmed beyond belief! i worked with a great group of np's who were only a phone call away. when i felt i was at a point where i wanted more experience (and an environment with on-site colleagues), i changed jobs. i was upfront w/ my new employer about my work experience and what i felt my weaker areas were, and everything worked out!!

feel free to pm me.

laceface · Sep 26, 2010

Do you know what NPs at CT minuteclinics can tx versus what can be txed in MA? I know it depends on what the Dept of Public Health determines is ok per state....for instance in some states minuteclinic NPs can tx UTIs and other stuff, but in MA they can't (just vaccinations, skin, ear, throat, minor issues)

shannons1 · Sep 27, 2010

Don't do it. You need more experience and the same problems come in time after time. Here is a ton of non NP work to get done, lots of "marketing", hours are long and quite frankly you become bored out of your mind!!!! I left a job that I loved for more pay and I regretted it almost instantly. Thankfully, I am now back at my old hospital in a different dept and love it! MC is great for patients but not a great first job for a new NP in my opinion.

Eugoval · Oct 9, 2011

I was considering applying for a minute clinic job and wonder how that experience would compare to working in a hospital or urgent care. I want a good first experience. Also does anyone know the pay or benefits the minute clinic offers? Thanks

Hi-as a new graduate FNP, but a seasoned hospice/med-surg nurse in the community health care setting for most of my 24 years, working in a retail clinic has many stressors. There are many qualifers to look at: what is your background, your clinical experiences from your graduate education, your ability to work independently, autonomously and be a critical thinker. You not only have to learn the diagnositic/prescribing piece, but also the business end and equally important, the customer satisfaction piece. Time is critical and one of the ways you are critiqued. Also, customers, many want a quick fix and think the antibiotic route is it....so much of what we see is of a viral nature and antibiotics don't work.....but they insist and just when they take the antibiotic, they get better (because it is the nature of the virus) but of course the customer feels it is the antibiotic!!! Having sometimes to look at satisfaction with prudent clinical practice is difficult. I am going on my second month at a retail clinic.....parts of it I like, but am feeling very stressed. As so many have said "you don't know what you don't know and if you don't know how do you know what to ask?"

Good luck with whatever your decision is. We all need knowledge and support from those who have traveled before us:):)

LeLeeFNP · Oct 15, 2011

I'll be totally honest and just tell you that I would go for it if i were you. As you can probably tell by my name, one of the main reasons I decided to go for NP was so that I can enjoy a career that is less physically and mentally challenging. Minute clinic sounds like a dream job to me. Go to work, see a couple of sore throats, prescribe a few antibiotics, and do my shopping right after work. I don't know about you but that sounds amazing compared to my current back breaking job as a critical care nurse. I'm only 29 but feel like I'm 69 because of the hard work i do as a staff nurse and how broken down my body is because of it. Anyway good luck to you whatever you decide.