What is a clinic registered nurse and how to become one

Q: Can an RN work in a clinic?

Yes, a clinical RN can work in a clinic. Both clinics and hospitals offer registered nurses (RNs) opportunities to specialize in areas of care that interest them. An RN can choose to see a variety of patients in a general family care clinic or develop a specialty by working in a healthcare facility that focuses on a particular type of care, such as dermatology, gynecology, mental health, or mental health pediatrics.

Q: How long does it take to become a clinic nurse?

It takes between 2 to 4 years to become a clinic nurse. Clinic nurses are usually licensed practical nurses (LPNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), or registered nurses (RNs). They typically work in medical clinics, collecting patient information, performing or aiding in medical tests, and helping with patient education.

Q: How many hours do clinic nurses work?

Clinic nurses usually work between 8 to 12 hours a day, 4 to 5 days a week. A typical nurse schedule depends on the health care setting in which nurses work. There are two main types of working schedules for clinic nurses.

Q: What does a nurse do at a clinic?

A nurse working at a clinic does focus primarily on aiding patients from the moment they enter the clinic. The work of a clinic nurse may be physically demanding and includes standing for prolonged periods and sometimes lifting or moving patients.

Q: What is a nurse in a doctor's office called?

A nurse in a doctor's office is called a primary care nurse or a clinic nurse. A clinic nurse is a medical professional who provides basic, non-emergency healthcare to patients. They work in doctor's offices or outpatient clinics where patients come in for routine checkups and don't stay overnight for care.

Q: What is the difference between a clinical nurse and a registered nurse?

The difference between a clinical nurse and a registered nurse has to do with the setting in which they work. A registered nurse can work either in a hospital setting (e.g., emergency room, ICU) or in a clinic setting (e.g., pediatrician, dermatologist).

Q: What kind of nurse works in a clinic?

A nurse who works in a clinic is known as a primary care nurse. A primary care nurse provides basic, non-emergency healthcare to patients. They work in doctor's offices or outpatient clinics where patients come in for routine checkups and don't stay overnight for care.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.,

Kim Raines

A clinic registered nurse is a healthcare professional responsible for providing patient care, conducting health assessments, and administering medications in a clinical setting. They work in a variety of settings, including private clinics, hospitals, and community health centers. Clinic registered nurses are also responsible for documenting patient information, communicating with physicians and educating patients on managing their health conditions. They may also assist with medical procedures and provide emotional support to patients and their families.

What general advice would you give to a clinic registered nurse?

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.

Associate Dean of the School of Nursing Professor of Nursing, Quinnipiac University

One of the suggestions for new graduates is the importance of self-care. We have long known of the demanding nature of the nursing practice. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the nursing role's critical importance and the unique contributions made by nursing professionals. As the healthcare environment is extremely complex and challenging, nurses must remember to advocate for themselves and prioritize self-care.

ScoreClinic Registered NurseUS Average

Salary

5.5

Avg. Salary $70,075

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 8.99%

Black or African American 10.46%

Hispanic or Latino 9.51%

Unknown 4.30%

White 66.30%

Gender

female 89.79%

male 10.21%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.1

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a clinic registered nurse?

Pros

Job security
Competitive salary and benefits
Flexible scheduling options
Team environment
High demand

Cons

Demanding and sometimes unsupportive work environment
Exposure to infectious diseases
Physical demands of the job
Dealing with difficult patients or families
Pressure to meet productivity and performance goals

Key steps to become a clinic registered nurse

Explore clinic registered nurse education requirements

Most common clinic registered nurse degrees

Bachelor's

46.8 %

Associate

40.2 %

Master's

7.4 %

Start to develop specific clinic registered nurse skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	25.56%
BLS	11.18%
Acute Care	5.51%
Home Health	4.71%
Acls	4.14%

Complete relevant clinic registered nurse training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New clinic registered nurses learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a clinic registered nurse based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real clinic registered nurse resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed clinic registered nurse usually require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed clinic registered nurse in most of states. 43 states require clinic registered nurses to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alabama	Degree required	State exam required	Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Alaska	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Nurse, Licensed Practical
Arkansas	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
California	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Licensed Vocational Nurse
Colorado	Degree required	Third-party exam required	Licensed Practical Nurse

Gain additional clinic registered nurse certifications

Clinic registered nurse certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific clinic registered nurse certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for clinic registered nurses include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC).

More About Certifications

Research clinic registered nurse duties and responsibilities

Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
Perform both admissions and discharge of patients within the CICU as well as transferring patients to ICU or other units.
Perform nursing functions in critical care units including ER, MICU, CCU, SICU in various hospitals and medical centers.
Provide patient education that includes information about diagnosis, plan surgical procedures, post-surgical care, and physical rehabilitation procedures.

Prepare your clinic registered nurse resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your clinic registered nurse resume.

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