Trying to find a job in a doctor's office.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

Many private medical practices prefer to hire MAs or LPNs to contain labor costs. If you really want to work in a doctors' office or clinic as an RN, your best bet is to apply online for jobs with major hospital systems that offer specialized outpatient clinics (orthopedics, Coumadin clinics, women's health, etc.). Good luck to you!

ninjago · Oct 21, 2011

Yes, office doctors tend to hire MAs than RNs because of less pay.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

Agree with commuter's advice. the only dr's offices that hire lpns here are part of MAJOR medical facilities and like to use the "rn's only slogans" etc. some occasionaly hire lpns also. esp. ent, ortho, dermatology, ophthalmology, ob.gyn

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

A lot of peds practices have RN's so i would target them....

SushiRN · Oct 21, 2011

It really depends on the practice and location. When I was a first year RN the family practice I worked at loved RNs. I'm a Clinical Supervisor now at another family practice. I think 1 day should be good. You don't want them forgetting you dropped off the resume or someone losing it.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2011

Hello hardworking nurses! I am a new nurse and I started working about mid july until present as a per diem nurse in an LTC. I rotate being in long term and sub acute unit doing 3-11 sometimes 11-7am. I find the job very stressful but being young, I have a lot of energy in me and running around like a ping pong ball doesn't bother me that much.
I really want to work in a doctor's office with a lower stress level than LTCs so I went around and handed out resumes about a day ago. The nurses/staff was really busy in almost all the MD offices ive walked so I didnt think i'd have much luck talking to a supervisor or the MD with the long line of patients. So i left my resume and took the MD's card and went on to another office. I do plan on calling them back but I'm not sure if a day is enough or should i wait until about two or three more days before i call back.

Well, clearly, from the way the staff was "really busy" you now know that there are stresses in EVERY aspect of nursing, and I'd hate to think that you're wanting a clinic postion because it's "not stressful".

That said, and I'm sure others will tell you the same thing, that clinics tend to hire very few nurses. They lean towards MA's and LPN's to staff the bulk of positions. Don't give up hope though, becasue clinics DO hire a few RN's---to do phone triage for patients on the phone!

bulletproofbarb · Oct 21, 2011

I too want to get into this area. I am in Australia. I did a two days course and the immunisation certifcate. There are other short courses i can do as well. I'm in no rush at the moment but I dont even bother applying for the ones that state RN or EN (I think EN is the same as LPN) because I know they will go for the person they have to pay the least. I applied to four this year and was told they wanted someone with experience in GP work. 20+ years of hospital nursing counts for nothing and when i did the course was told the last people they will employ are those who have been in bedside nursing for many years.

Obviously our system is a bit different from US system but I shall start looking again next year. I am still in bedside nursing but also do some phlebotomy and am not totally burnt out yet so am just holding on to "one day" hope

Good luck and I hope you find something eventually.

FlyingScot, RN · Oct 22, 2011

Although not impossible it will be very difficult to find a hospital-based clinic job with only 3 months experience. Most require at least a year of good solid acute care. Where I am it is at least 5 years and they prefer critical care or an ED background or at least a progressive care unit. A clinic is really no place for a new grad. It's not as easy as you might think.

Sl1011 · Oct 22, 2011

Hey there! I just wanted to give you my experience with clinics... I got a job at a family practice as a brand new RN (1st nurse job)... it does have it's own stressful moments, but to me it's nowhere near as stressful as the hospital (worked there after family practice). I left the hospital to go back to a clinic position, and I'm working at a pediatric clinic. LOVE it! And they do have many RNs there. The family practice I was at preferred hiring RNs as well. My job isn't too stressful, love the people, love the environment :)

GoGunrock09 · Oct 31, 2011

Hey there! I just wanted to give you my experience with clinics... I got a job at a family practice as a brand new RN (1st nurse job)... it does have it's own stressful moments, but to me it's nowhere near as stressful as the hospital (worked there after family practice). I left the hospital to go back to a clinic position, and I'm working at a pediatric clinic. LOVE it! And they do have many RNs there. The family practice I was at preferred hiring RNs as well. My job isn't too stressful, love the people, love the environment :)

Can I ask how you came about finding that position?? I'm a new grad nurse with almost a year of experience on a med/surg floor. I'm hoping to relocate back up to Northern california and was looking into finding a new job at a clinic or doctor's office. Suggestions??? :confused:

SushiRN · Oct 31, 2011

Craigslist, INdeed.com, faxing your resume to different offices if you're lookinng to relocate and calling to f/u.