Wound Clinic Opportunity

[amazon-RN]

Hi AllNurses Community,

I have an interview for a RN position in an outpatient wound care clinic in a mid-sized city (1M metropolitan population). The clinic is also part of an academic/teaching osteopathic hospital.

Are there any wound care nurses working in a similar setting who could give some insight into this area of nursing practice? I love working with wounds! I like the meticulous nature of measuring and quantifying wound appearance, educating the patient/family on care/prevention, and learning about best techniques for dressings. 

However, my biggest concern is that outpatient will be too "slow" for me, and over time may not challenge my nursing  skills much. Also, since it is quite focused, will  I lose other critical nursing knowledge (I generally subscribe to the "use it or lose it" philosophy)? 

My backgournd: I have 1 year of med surg experience (transplant/hepatology), 2 years PACU, and 1 year hospice. PACU was amazing, however I struggled with some of the critical care aspects - critical care isn't for everyone (15 drips and multiple invasive lines left me too anxious), hospice  was fantastic but I had to move and leave that position d/t my husband's  job. In my new state I haven't found a comparable hospice company.

Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from any wound nurses out there!

 

[CalicoKitty, BSN, RN]

What I've seen of wound clinics is anything but "slow".  You'll be on your feet for the duration except your breaks.  Get a patient from the waiting room, remove their dressing, clean, assess (document, document, document), get provider (if needed for debridement, etc), redress wound, send off.  Clinics can be throughput. Cool things could be seeing the same patients week after week and watching their wounds heal.

[amazon-RN]

On 1/20/2022 at 12:45 AM, CalicoKitty said:

Thank you for this! The wound healing process is very dynamic. Working to build a rapport with patients is also a huge plus. 

Thanks again!