Working with your own personal physician?

[Climber4290]

I am a new RN grad searching for a position in a doctor's office. I live in a relatively small city and due to some past health problems which are in remission, I have a number of specialists. There have been some openings in some of these doctor's offices but I have avoided them because I feel that would put me in an awkward position. I feel uncomfortable working with a physician and then seeing him/her for care. Currently there are openings at my PCP and at my OB/Gyn. I am tempted to apply for the OB/GYN position and my PCP is a large practice with good pay and benefits. The nurses there tell me they are treated well and encourage me to apply. But I just seem to feel there would be privacy issues and if my health problems flared up again I feel it would put me in an uncomfortable position. I also feel I would have a harder time with the doc patient relationship and being open with a physician who is also my co-worker. I've asked other nurses and most think it's a non-issue and feel I am being too paranoid because I'm a new grad. I'd love to hear thoughts and advice.

Thank you so much!

[BabyFood26]

Hey there. I just wanted to chime in with my own personal experience on this subject.

I worked in a doc office as an LPN supervisor in my first year post licensure. My PCP was in this office and we had many day to day interactions work related. I also had some health issues that required frequent monitoring, so I even saw him on my break or after my shift was over for my appts.

I lived in a small city too, where EVERYONE knows EVERYONE through some weird grapevine that never failed to connect one person to another in some way! I was hesitant to take the position for all the same reasons you stated. I took into consideration the MDs track record in my own observations as his patient, as far as how professional he was (which he was, very down to earth, and seemed to treat everyone with respect), and I thought about something else too. I was pretty sure that i was more uncomfortable passing up a good employment opportunity, then dreading the very improbable case of my privacy being invaded.

I thought, well how many times have I been to this office and seen someone I know?? Like a bazillion! And how many times did I feel a little embarrassed because I was back again so soon and I know one of the employees here and they might be wondering what the heck is wrong with me! Then I was just like, the heck with it. I'm entitled to this opportunity just like the next qualified nurse. Who cares what they say. I want this job. I'll be great at it. The important people won't care that I need to see a doctor no matter how often. In fact, the most important people, the educated ones who I need to be looking up to, will see that I'm taking care of myself properly and understand.

I worked there for a year. And like I anticipated there were some employees who I felt weird vibes from at times. But that could have just been my own insecurities messing with me. I never experienced any problems with professionalism or my privacy being breached or anything detrimental to my success in that role. I only left the job because I moved, which I had been planning on for some time. I hope that you get the job that you deserve! No need to pass up anything in a small city. The experience will be what you make of it. Good luck!!

[elkpark]

I wouldn't do it.

[loriangel14, RN]

I have worked with my PCP and it was no problem.

[RiskManager]

I have worked for large integrated healthcare systems that were pretty much the only game in town when it came to care. Consequently, many employees also received care from the same system in which they worked. We recommended, but not require, that the employee get care at a different clinic than the one at which they worked. Pretty much for the privacy and gossip issues mentioned above.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I did it in the past without any issues. These days I would probably tkje the good job and find another doctor if I was really uncomfortable.

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

I worked for a small hospital in the past where they were 'self insured' meaning the employee could only use their doctors and that hospital for care. I felt there was a major confidentiality issue but was fortunate to have insurance available through my husband. However, many did not and didn't have any issue working with their doctor(s). I think it's more of a personal preference.