Clinic vs. Hospital Nursing: Which One Should You Choose?

The nursing profession can appeal to people for different reasons. Many aspiring nurses are drawn to the profession because of the variety that it offers. Nursing provides numerous ways to help patients and make a difference in their lives across several types of work environments.

One important distinction in nursing is that between clinic vs. hospital nursing. Both positions make it possible to provide direct patient care, yet key differences exist in the types of services offered, the pace involved, and more. For those who have the right educational foundation in nursing , both can be viable, rewarding options.

What Is Clinic Nursing?

Some nurses gravitate toward work in community clinics, where they provide nursing care on an outpatient basis. Clinic nursing typically involves providing nonemergency care for a moderate volume of patients. This may mean administering vaccinations or providing basic medical assessments, as well as primary care.

Other clinics may allow for more specialized nursing. For example, some clinics may focus on pediatrics or women’s health and reproductive care. Such clinics can provide excellent opportunities for nurses who are drawn toward specific types of patient services or populations.

What Is Hospital Nursing?

An alternative is hospital nursing. Hospital nurses do perform outpatient services, but they may also provide bedside nursing to patients who’ve had surgical procedures or who need to be monitored over multiple days. Nurses who work in hospital settings may have more opportunities to work with patients who have more complex or emergency needs, including cardiovascular issues or traumatic injuries.

Hospital nursing may also provide opportunities for specialization, as nurses can seek positions on particular floors or wings. For example, a nurse may prefer to work in the neonatal unit, in the fast-paced emergency room, or in the oncology ward.

Clinic vs. Hospital Nursing: Key Distinctions

Those seeking an opportunity to make a direct impact in patients’ lives should carefully consider the differences between clinic vs. hospital nursing.

Duties and Responsibilities

While both roles involve direct patient care, specific job descriptions can vary. For example, the role of a clinic nurse may encompass the following:

• Assisting physicians during basic medical assessments
• Administering medications based on patients’ treatment plans
• Cleaning and sanitizing patient rooms
• Ensuring that patient histories are taken and properly documented

The role of a hospital nurse, meanwhile, may include these duties:

• Taking vital signs and performing full physical evaluations
• Drawing blood for diagnostic tests
• Changing bandages and wound dressings in order to prevent infections
• Providing direct support to surgeons
• Providing emotional support to patients and families coping with tough diagnoses

Scheduling

Another important distinction between clinic vs. hospital nursing pertains to scheduling.

Clinic nurses are more likely to have the same schedule each week, with shifts that more often conform to normal business hours. For those seeking something like a nine-to-five schedule, clinic nursing may be the best option.

By contrast, hospital nurses tend to have different schedules each week. Shifts are often long (12 hours in many cases) and typically include day and night shifts .

Work Environment

Another major distinction between clinic vs. hospital nursing is the work environment itself.

Clinics tend to be smaller facilities than hospitals, and they serve fewer patients on a daily basis. Clinics are also more likely than hospitals to have patients who are repeats, which can be welcome for nurses who appreciate forming relationships with the people they treat.

By contrast, hospitals are much larger facilities with more fast-paced environments, as they often provide treatment and care for patients facing acute health emergencies. For nurses who desire a more dynamic work environment, a hospital setting might be best.

Educational Requirements

While both the clinic and hospital environments require nurses to have training and credentials, the requirements may be slightly less strict in clinics. Clinic nurses can sometimes find work with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and either a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) credential. Meanwhile, Indeed reports that in a hospital setting, a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and an RN license are often preferred. Certainly, for those wondering what they can do with a BSN , both career paths are promising.

Prepare for Varied Career Options in the Field of Nursing

No matter which nursing environment you find most appealing, the best way to prepare is by pursuing the right education. The University of Tulsa offers an online RN to BSN path that’s perfect for licensed RNs who don’t yet have a bachelor’s degree but wish to step up their clinical skills and credentials. The program is designed to be flexible and accommodating to working nurses who wish to hone their professional competencies.

Learn more about the program and how it can lay the foundation for a long and varied career in the nursing profession.

Recommended Readings

Nursing Peer Review: Definition and Example

What Is an Occupational Health Nurse?

What Are the 3 Ps in Nursing?

Sources:

Cleveland Clinic, Nurse - Nursing

Indeed, Clinic vs. Hospital Nursing: What’s the Difference?

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses

WebMD, The Differences Between Hospitals and Clinics

Zippia, What Does a Clinic Registered Nurse Do?