As a Family Nurse Practitioner in a 100% outpatient setting, each day follows a structured four-day work week with a primary focus on patient care. With 32 hours dedicated to direct patient contact, you would provide comprehensive healthcare for individuals aged six months and above. The patient volume ranges from 12 to 16 per day, allowing you to dedicate ample time to each individual, fostering a personalized and attentive approach to their healthcare needs.
In addition to your regular schedule, you are expected to be on call for four weeks per year, managing patient inquiries through phone consultations. This remote call duty ensures continuity of care, providing patients with access to medical advice even outside regular office hours. Your role extends beyond routine check-ups, as you are expected to perform various procedures such as lesion removal, cryotherapy, and Nexplanon insertions. This diverse skill set allows you to address a range of healthcare needs, contributing to a holistic approach to patient well-being.
A typical day in the life of a Hospitalist Nurse Practitioner revolves around a demanding yet structured inpatient setting. Working exclusively within the hospital environment, you will follow a consistent 7 on 7 off block schedule, with each day consisting of 12-hour shifts. The patient volume ranges from 10 to 12 individuals per day, requiring you to efficiently manage a diverse array of medical cases. The inpatient nature of the role places a strong emphasis on acute care and collaboration with the healthcare team to ensure comprehensive treatment plans for admitted patients.
One of the key skills of the Hospitalist NP is a high level of comfort in the open Intensive Care Unit. This expertise enables them to navigate complex and critical cases, contributing to the seamless coordination of care for patients with varying medical needs. The intensity of the inpatient setting demands adaptability and quick decision-making, making the Hospitalist NP a vital member of the healthcare team. This role not only requires clinical competence but also emphasizes the importance of effective communication and collaboration within a dynamic hospital environment.
Good Shepherd Medical Center is a Level III Trauma Center. Our Emergency Medicine trained doctors work in a dynamic, community-focused environment where they provide essential emergency care to a diverse patient population. As a Level III Trauma Center, GSMC is equipped to provide surgical interventions, when necessary, with more complex cases stabilized and transferred to higher-level facilities as needed. The hospital’s well-established relationship with local EMS ensures that patients receive the most appropriate care, with critical cases directed to nearby Tri-Cities (Kadlec Medical Center, Level 2 Trauma) for advanced treatment when required.
The Emergency Department at GSMC sees an average of 70 patients per day, with approximately 65% managed through the Fast Track, which operates from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. and is staffed by two Advanced Practice Providers (APPs). The remaining 35% of cases are true emergency medicine cases. The hospital also offers 24-hour coverage with two physicians working 12-hour shifts, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., and two APPs covering complementary shifts. The Urgent Care Clinic across the street provides additional support with convenient hours throughout the week, ensuring that non-emergent cases can be managed efficiently.
Our Emergency Medicine physicians at GSMC, work alongside a highly collaborative medical team, including hospitalists and surgeons with admitting privileges, and have access to consults when necessary. The facility is well-equipped with TeleNeurology for stroke cases, and you will manage critical conditions such as STEMIs, strokes, and pulmonary embolisms.
Our EM doctors work a shift schedule with most providers working 10-12 shifts per month, typically in blocks of 4 or 5 consecutive days, and no back-to-back 12-hour shifts. They do not perform arterial lines (A-lines), but occasional central lines (C-lines) may be performed, with both ER providers and anesthesia available for intubations.