What is it like to work in a family practice clinic?

[ecieri]

I accepted a job in family practice that is way closer to home and the hours are much better than what I was doing. I am a new grad that worked in the NICU for 4 months. The hours were killing me because I have a sleep disorder and just could not do it. I am pretty excited for this new job, but would like to hear what I could possibly be doing when I start in a week and a half!

I worked in a pediatric clinic so I can tell you what I did way back when. The RNs screened the patients and put them in rooms (vitals, including length, weight, head circumference for the infants). We administered meds and immunizations, any treatments needed while they were there (nebs, ear clean-outs, catheterizations, etc.). We stocked supplies in the rooms, stocked the supply closet and ordered supplies. Did phone triage, filled out school forms, back to school notes (this was before computer charts). I am guessing Family Practice is all of this plus whatever happens to you when you get your annual physical- so you will be seeing kids and adults.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Your experience in the NICU is certainly valuable but you might choose to brush up on time management practices. When I went from the ICU to another ambulatory care gig, I learned that I had many more patients and had to adjust. Of course, none of those patients was remotely close to coding or dying so it wasn't a bad adjustment. Your priorities are simply different and will likely be dictated by the provider(s).

Will you be responsible for vaccines? If so, go on the CDC website and refresh yourself on the adult and pediatric schedules. They have something called The Pink Book that lists everything from the anatomical landscapes for vaccines to the picky picky rules (like live vaccines and TB testing). If you can't order one, call your local public health office and see if they'll give you one.

Good luck!