I(22F) have been working for a clinic that’s part of a hospital for almost a year. Based on my job description, I can practically float around to any department or clinic within the hospital. Typically I just have to do one or two additional trainings and I get the green light.
The department head of the clinic I work in runs several clinics and because of that, I float around all her clinics when they’re desperate for help. I honestly had no issue because I hate my clinic!
I LOVE the work we do, genuinely. However, the other nurses have practically reduced me to an MSA/Receptionist. Instead of training me on clinic procedure, seeing patients, charting, etc…they have me answering phone calls and printing out paperwork for patient. I understand it’s difficult to run a clinic without an MSA/Receptionist. But to me, it’s our collective responsibility to balance that empty position and take a piece each. Instead, I feel they took advantage of my age and lack of experience.
Our clinic(outside of hospital grounds) actually sees patients inside the hospital due to the lack of office space we currently have. I don’t even get to go with the other nurses when they do! Their excuse is, “someone has to stay here and watch the front desk in case someone comes in.” The few times they let me along they only allow me to check patients in and I decided to just start volunteering to assist other clinics so I can do my actual job. I loved the varying experiences! Now, several clinics are calling my director/provider BEGGING to have me come over for weeks or months at a time to assist.
My coworkers started panicking because if I’m not there to do all the paperwork, pre-charting, ordering the meds, calling to remind patient, scheduling and more, they have to do it themselves and now their workload is 10x bigger and they’re unprepared to run the clinic effectively.
The hospital director has approached me and asked if I was willing to take a position at another clinic struggling. My coworker/boss have been fighting back and forth to keep me saying they “don’t know” why people have the impression I don’t have meaningful work to do and have no right to try and poach me without permission. I think they(and also myself) realized how much I’ve actually been doing to make this clinic function. I’ve completely reorganized their schedules and entire formatting of patient care to a system that makes sense!
Despite my accomplishments here and hearing them finally acknowledge and express how wanted I am, I‘m genuinely considering this other position. Yes I’m effective in my work here, but it’s NOT MY JOB. I did not go through all the hard work, school, and training to be reduced to a receptionist. I still feel guilty for wanting to leave knowing they actually do need more help. Part of me feels like maybe it’s my ego? Yes it’s not my job, but they need somebody for that job. WIBTA if I take this other position?
INFO: is your job supposed to be clinical? Do you have a license or specialized training?
EXACTLY my question.. That is VERY important. My daughter is an obstetric nurse, highly qualified BUT she wouldn’t have the same success working say with the elderly. She practices in the field she studied and has a degree in. All nurses etc are awesome, but some specialized in a particular field. OPs education is important, in what she is field she is trying to succeed in.
I’m specifically trained as a trauma medic through the army, but I have the ability to function in any medical role. Regardless, I’m trained to see patients in a clinical setting or in a field setting. That’s why I said I typically only have to do one or two additional trainings to green light into another clinic.
NTA, not even close. They mismanaged you as a resource and you only have one career, so take the position that’s better for you and don’t even think twice about
I’m kinda confused, are you a nurse too, or a unit clerk/receptionist?
I’m a (68W)Combat Medic aka a “Healthcare Specialist.” In a hospital setting, we perform as emergency technicians and or nurses. But my primary role allows me to see patients in a nurse capacity. Depending on your rank you can actually function as a provider in some circumstances! I’m not a receptionist though lol. While we technically can work in any capacity within the hospital and they can make me a receptionist if they want to, that’s an insult to the actual level of training I have. In fact, I can legally perform more procedures than a regular nurse can. I hope that explains it!
As someone who stayed in a position (not in healthcare) where I was not having the full extent of my skills used, run to the new position and learn as much as you can. I regret how long it took me to switch jobs and I am a lot happier since I did switch.
YWNBTA – You excelled in the position you were in, and now it’s time to learn something else. This doesn’t make you an asshole; it’s what you need to gain the experience you’ve been lacking.
NTA! Sounds like the clinic you’re already at should hire a designated MSA/receptionist. What are you supposed to be doing/what did you get trained to do? I would definitely rather be doing the job I went to school/trained for if I were you.
You would be the AH if you didn’t take the other position! The lack of staffing, which has you playing receptionist/scheduler, is not your fault nor your problem.
There’s nothing wrong with clerical work. You see firsthand how important it is to have an effective manager in place to make sure a busy office is run efficiently. But that’s not your training and that’s not what you were hired to do. Your skill set will be better served moving on. Don’t let anyone guilt you into sticking in a roll that isn’t going to lead you anywhere.
NTA
You went to school and got trained for a specific role and was reduced to a receptionist. Take this opportunity to better yourself and to develop your skills and rise through the ranks.
If you stay because you feel bad, then these people who reduced you to a receptionist will continue to excel at their job. They won’t consider your feelings when they take a promotion and leave you behind.
NTA. I’m a nurse with decades of experience. Those nurses are taking advantage of you and eating their young. Very toxic. Go where you can grow.
NTA. You are not a receptionist. If they require one, they need to hire someone to fill that role. Take the other job opportunities. They have no right to stop you because of their convenience. In fact, they have no right to stop you at all.
NTA take the new clinic and run!!!