What do lpns do in urgent care facilities?

ObtundedRN, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2010

I would assume many of the same things you would see in a MD office. Urine screens, Blood draws, injections. Probably even some 12-leads and chest pain treatment meds while waiting for EMS to transport to the hospital. Perhaps the occassional IV.

I've never worked in urgent care, but I've picked up plenty of people from urgent care when I worked EMS. I've actually never picked up a patient from urgent care with an IV started, or much for medications on board. Most I would see is maybe a 12-lead, O2, and a few labs done.

TrixieRN1 · Nov 15, 2010

I've worked urgent care 4-1/2 years and here's what I'm required to do on my job: triage injured pts in waiting room, health hx, VS, EKG, nebulizer txs, abx/therapeutic/immunizations (IM/intradermal/SQ), strong phlebotomy skills and operate Coulter CBC, operate Piccolo for chem levels, urinalysis, blood cxs, rapid strep and flu swabs, input lab orders on computer, IV starts and manage gravity flow peripheral IV therapy including piggyback meds and IV push meds, set up sterile field and assist physician during I&D/suturing, wound care, ear lavage, set up supplies and assist physician during pelvic/rectal exams, perform digital Xrays (simple & complex positioning - allowed in my state without being Xray tech), apply aircasts, walking boots, colle splints, knee braces, patient teaching, phone triage, scheduling diagnostic procedures at other facilities (MRI, CT, diabetic education classes, scheduling/referral appts with specialists, etc.). I love the variety of my job, I love patient care, I enjoy 12-hr shifts, my co-workers and docs are awesome. After 4-1/2 years of experience, I struggle financially making $14.50/hr. I knew I'd make a lot less money in nursing than my former career and willing to make sacrifice, but it's been a huge financial adjustment for my family. I've completed my ASN through Excelsior College, passed NCLEX-RN on first attempt, but my home state requires me to complete a clinical preceptorship in a hospital because I don't have the acute care experience it requires. So my RN licensure is on hold until I complete said clinical preceptorship. I hope you find this post helpful. Good luck to you!

green nurse lpn · Nov 15, 2010

wow. iv meds... i would assume you're not from california? :)

TrixieRN1 · Nov 16, 2010

Not California - Deep South. IVPB ceftriaxone, levaquin, moxifloxicin. IV push solu-medrol, ondansetron, promethazine, keterolac, epinephrine. Occasionally we get patients who come to us instead of going to ER. We work quickly to stabilize pt and ship out via EMS (i.e., ARDS, anaphylaxis, CVA, chest pain, etc.). I believe there's definitely a place for urgent care. However, there needs to be greater education of the public as to what urgent care treats. For some reason, I tend to get luck of the draw in bringing back patients with O2sat of 77%, chest pain, blown pupils, CVA - I've been kidded numerous times by co-workers that if a chest pain walks in the door that I'll be the nurse who gets that pt. The variety of the job is wonderful. You have to stay focused, work efficiently, and multitask well. I started this job as a new grad and had a huge learning curve. I'm 54 y/o and enjoy the high energy of the work (nursing is late in life career change). If your employer will provide you with a great orientation and you're interested in the urgent care setting, I say go for it.

THUIT77 · Nov 16, 2010

green nurse lpn

I would say take it considering the fact here in California we don't even get the chance to interview. I am sure the training they will provide you with make it easier for you to catch up. Good luck:yeah:

rn865 · Jan 11, 2011

I've been working at one for one year now. I was a new grad too, and they trained me with everything. Like Trixie above, I pretty much do the same things, starting IV's, blood draws, ECG, nebulizer treatments, flu swabs and shots and even X-rays. The experience might not be the same as the acute ones in a hospital but in this economy, I'd choose this than unemployment. I really want to work at a hospital but I enjoy my job for now. I work 11 hour shifts so that's 3 days in one week and 4 days the next. I got 2 raises within my one year on the job, a total of $5. I think because this is a private urgent care, there is a lot of independence on the part of the doctor as to giving raises which I think is great.

tiredstudentmom · Jan 11, 2011

I've worked urgent care 4-1/2 years and here's what I'm required to do on my job: triage injured pts in waiting room, health hx, VS, EKG, nebulizer txs, abx/therapeutic/immunizations (IM/intradermal/SQ), strong phlebotomy skills and operate Coulter CBC, operate Piccolo for chem levels, urinalysis, blood cxs, rapid strep and flu swabs, input lab orders on computer, IV starts and manage gravity flow peripheral IV therapy including piggyback meds and IV push meds, set up sterile field and assist physician during I&D/suturing, wound care, ear lavage, set up supplies and assist physician during pelvic/rectal exams, perform digital Xrays (simple & complex positioning - allowed in my state without being Xray tech), apply aircasts, walking boots, colle splints, knee braces, patient teaching, phone triage, scheduling diagnostic procedures at other facilities (MRI, CT, diabetic education classes, scheduling/referral appts with specialists, etc.). I love the variety of my job, I love patient care, I enjoy 12-hr shifts, my co-workers and docs are awesome. After 4-1/2 years of experience, I struggle financially making $14.50/hr. I knew I'd make a lot less money in nursing than my former career and willing to make sacrifice, but it's been a huge financial adjustment for my family. I've completed my ASN through Excelsior College, passed NCLEX-RN on first attempt, but my home state requires me to complete a clinical preceptorship in a hospital because I don't have the acute care experience it requires. So my RN licensure is on hold until I complete said clinical preceptorship. I hope you find this post helpful. Good luck to you!

This give me and other prospective LVN/LPNs another avenue to explore. At my school's oreintation, we were told that most likely, almost definitely,we wouldn't be acquiring our ideal job at first. Sometimes we have to take what we can get in the current market in our particular area. I too, like the OP have considered Urgent Care once graduated/licensed. Thank you for your input. :rolleyes:

Altra, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2011

If you are considering accepting a position ... then you've had an interview and had an opportunity to discuss the job responsibilities and tour the environment, right? It doesn't particularly matter what *other* urgent care facilities do/don't do ... just what you will be expected to do if you take this job.