Wal-Mart Walk-in Clinic

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

Today I was out with my mom at Walmart and she decided to get her flu shot at the walk-in clinic there. I was appauled and confused at what was going on there. There were only 2 people working...the doc and a girl who I'm not sure was a nurse or a receptionist or both. She was extremely monotone and rude and when my mom went to get her shot, she drew up the injection but then the doc went in and actually gave the shot. I've never heard of this....since when do docs give shots? The only thing I can think of is the girl actually wasn't a nurse...but that would be weird to have just a doc and a receptionist working in the clinic, wouldn't it? I don't have much experience with walk in clinics. But anyhow, both the girl and the doc were very impersonal and rude..the doc didn't even say hello or talk to my mom...just walked in, gave the shot and walked out. Weird.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

[liveyourlife747]

You sure it was a doc? Maybe it was a NP? I think think those places are usually staffed with NPs, but I could be wrong because I know NPs have to work under the supervision of a doc

[mappers]

I seriously doubt it was an MD. Around here, NPs staff those. The fact that there were two people is a bonus, since many work alone.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

There is no reason a physician cannot give an injection.

Having said that ... it was very likely an NP. Direct supervision by an MD is only required in a few states.

[PatMac10,RN, RN]

The hospital I work for opened a clinic in the local Wal-Mart about 10 months ago and so far it's a hit! It is mostly staffed with NPs, although I think there are 2 PAs that rotate through every once in a while. There is also a receptionist and Medical Assistant, who lets the receptionist call her a nurse sometimes, but that's for another post.

I've been to the clinic multiple times and have had overall very good experience. I am usually done with my whole visit in about 15 minutes. I love that they are quick, but still listen and are still effective in their tx. I love the idea of convent care it retail clinics. I hope to work in such a clinic one day.

Idk what was going on at the clinic you guys went to.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

You sure it was a doc? Maybe it was a NP? I think think those places are usually staffed with NPs, but I could be wrong because I know NPs have to work under the supervision of a doc

It's not like they are there staring at them. They can and do work quite autonomously in many settings.

[liveyourlife747]

It's not like they are there staring at them. They can and do work quite autonomously in many settings.

I do know that much. But in my state the NPs have to work with a physician. That doesn't mean they are there all the time, nor does it mean NPs don't work autonomously, but the MDs are there for a resource and supervision as needed.

[FORTHELOVEOF!!!!]

Rudeness sucks but it's inevitable. Many of the clinics in CVS, Walgreens, and WalMart, have one practitioner and a receptionist who checks you in and gets vitals. The only problem I get from your post (other than the rudeness) is the fact that a doc or NP gave a med in a syringe that they didn't draw up or witness being drawn up. That's a little scary.

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

I live in Canada..not sure. And I didn't mean that the doc COULDN'T give the injection...I meant that I thought it was weird that he gave it instead of the nurse (who may of not been a nurse)..as I don't usually see physicians doing those tasks.

He was an older male, wearing a dress shirt and tie/lab coat/stethoscope....looked like a doctor. But could have been an NP...not sure.

[Silverlight2010]

There is a pharmacist here that does flu clinics and I've seen him do IM injections.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

He was an older male, wearing a dress shirt and tie/lab coat/stethoscope....looked like a doctor. But could have been an NP...not sure.

There's a whole other thread, if not an entire doctoral dissertation, in that statement ...

[Penguin67]

My two experiences with walk in clinics were at Walgreens Take Care Clinic. First one was on a Sunday. us and was playing with our cat and was bitten by a playful one. Being cautious, we went to the Take Care clinic, as there was a huge wait at our MD. Got Keflex ex and had a great NP. The next experience was mine, had a terrible cold for several days that no cold medicine was touching...NyQuil, DayQuil, paeudoephidrine, etc... The Np basically told me she was not going to prescribe an abx and gave me a mini lecture about super bugs and overuse of abx and charged me a copay and pretty much told me it was viral and suck it up. I knew I was I'll and not getting better, so I drove to my MD office and waited two hours to be seen. The MD examined me, got the same cheer complaint and symptoms from me, and diagnosed me with a sinus infection. Gave me a script for Zpack and steroids, and I was feeling better in a day. As much as I want to support NPs, I don't think I can go back to the Take Care clinic and will wait patiently at my PCPs office in the future. Just my two cents here.