| Regardless of what you do for a living, there are | | | | and can sometimes lead to burnout. |
| always important decisions along the road. As a | | | | If You Choose the Doctor's Office Setting |
| nurse, there are many directions to take when | | | | If you're looking to become a nurse in a private |
| you first get started, some of these paths will | | | | practice, you'll find that there are both pro's and |
| result in diverging career paths. First and | | | | con's with this environment. |
| foremost, you need to decide whether to work in | | | | Benefits include: |
| the hospital setting or in a private practice. Both | | | | · Standard Hours - Because you only work |
| directions will have different rewards -- along with | | | | when the physicians are there, you can be sure |
| limitations -- so this is a decision that you don't | | | | of a more regular schedule. |
| want to take lightly. | | | | · Fewer Patients - A lower number of patients |
| If You Choose a Hospital Environment | | | | allows for a more personal experience. There |
| Hopefully, all nursing school graduates will be | | | | is also less stress than in the busy hospital setting. |
| flooded with offers from hospitals. Here are | | | | · Better Patient Interaction - When you only |
| the primary reasons that you should talk to | | | | see a single patient at a time, you may feel more |
| hospital HR departments: | | | | connected to the patients you work with. |
| · Look for the Union label - Once you're into a | | | | Disadvantages of a doctor's office are: |
| unionized hospital, your salary will go up yearly | | | | · Lack of Unionization - It can be easier to |
| and you will be assured of comfortable benefits. | | | | lose your job for any reason in this setting, |
| · Job Flexibility - In the larger setting of a | | | | regardless of seniority. Your benefits will also be |
| hospital, you have the ability to change your job | | | | subject to the whims of office management |
| as you get more experience. | | | | instead of being negotiated by your union |
| · Variety, the Spice of Life - You can start | | | | representative. |
| your career in one position and then transfer as | | | | · Fewer Advancement Opportunities - You |
| you gain knowledge or if you just want a change | | | | may not be able to get promoted to a higher |
| in scenery. | | | | position as a nurse in a doctor's office, plus the |
| However, as with any job in nursing, there are | | | | there aren't as many jobs available compared to |
| downsides as well: | | | | a hospital setting. |
| · Lack of Seniority - Since building seniority | | | | · Lower Pay - While some specialties pay |
| takes time, as a new nurse, you may find that | | | | better than others, a nurse's pay can be much |
| job opportunities are initially slim and the hours | | | | lower in a doctor's office compared to a large |
| available aren't the best. This should get better | | | | research hospital. |
| once you have a few years of experience under | | | | Whether you choose to work in a hospital or |
| your belt. | | | | private practice, the most important thing is doing |
| · High Ratio of Patients to Nurses - While this | | | | what you like to do best - caring for patients. |
| can be a benefit because you can build a lot of | | | | However, most nurses will find that one setting is |
| experience quickly, the fast paced setting and high | | | | a better fit than the other - the decision is up to |
| patient ratio can be really tiring for some nurses, | | | | you! |