What's it like to work in a medical clinic?

angel337, MSN, RN · Dec 29, 2005

before i became a nurse i worked in several clinics (family practice, peds,ob,oncology, derm). it's a different kind of work, not as stressful as hospital nursing, but it does have it's share of overwhelming moments. the one thing i disliked the most about working in an office was the paper work, especially insurance referalls. in my opinion the docs in offices are different too, more demanding, at least in my experience. i think office nursing is fine a long as you don't mind doing the same redundant thing day after day. and seeing the same patients every week. the pay was embarrasing. the nurses i worked with in the office made any where from $10-$15/hr dollars less than hospital nurses. of course this varies also. the good part in all this is that you don't work holidays, maybe an occasional saturday and usually no nights. this also depends on the office and the specialty. i may go back to working in the clinic when i am sick of the hospital, but for right now i work days and have 4 days off and love it. good luck with your decision. :specs:

Bipley · Dec 29, 2005

I am tired of working night shift and week-ends. I have never worked in a doctor's office/medical clinic. What are the pro's and con's? Any advice appreciated. Thanks:specs:

I loved it!!!! I do PRN work for a DO. I do all the xrays, labs, assist in exams, and I prepare the patients for ... whatever. We have staff that do the referrals and assorted paperwork. I triage phone calls, do mini assessments, call in Rx's after I determine they are appropriate (each MD office has their own policy. Usually if you are a nurse vs. MA you call the shots)

Pros... no enemas, no rectals, no poop cleaning, no puke cleaning, no DON. More quality time with patients. More respect from your boss depending on your boss. More opportunities to ask questions and learn, docs love to teach and we love to learn.

Cons... not as much clinical expertise on a regular basis. When you are triaging there is certainly an aspect of clinical skills needed, pay isn't typically as good, ... that's all I am thinking of at the moment.

I like it because it's a different aspect of my profession. I have different opportunities. I call more shots, I make more decisions. IOW, I don't have to ask the doc if I can give ASA. I make my own decisions. But you also don't have the same kind of life and death decisions to make.

There is good and bad, it's a matter of preference. I like variety so I like doing it all.

ERNurse752, RN · Dec 29, 2005

If you haven't already seen it, there's a forum on here for doctor's office nurses that has some good discussions that might answer some of your questions.

Good luck! :)

Blackcat99 · Dec 29, 2005

Thanks all.:) I think I'm going to start looking for work in a clinic in March. I don't know what has happened to me. I use to love working nights and now it has become unbearable.

Drysolong · Dec 29, 2005

Thanks all.:) I think I'm going to start looking for work in a clinic in March. I don't know what has happened to me. I use to love working nights and now it has become unbearable.

Hi. If you would care to share, I would be interested in knowing what you find unbearable about your shift. I am still a student, but my preference is to work nights (7p-7a) and weekends in a hospital. I don't want to work in a doctor's office or clinic because I don't like working days, Monday-Friday. (I wouldn't mind an extended-hour or 24-hour clinic, working nights)

Blackcat99 · Dec 29, 2005

My mother has alzheimer's and I am her full-time live-in caregiver. When I try to sleep she sometimes wakes me up. I am sleep deprived too. I can go to sleep but I can't stay asleep. I am sure I would love night shift if I had a nice quiet place to sleep during the day. Best of luck to you :specs:

Blackcat99 · Dec 29, 2005

I forgot to add that I am going to be getting my own apartment. My best friend is going to become Mom's live-in caregiver as I am wiped out after 3 plus years of alzheimers. I am getting an apartment 3 blocks away from Mom so will still be with her a lot. However, I can now get a full-time job and try to regain what little sanity I have left,if any. :specs: