ED to dialysis?

Specialties Urology

Published

I currently work in the ED with almost 6 years of experience. I have my CEN and CCRN certifications, with CPEN coming along the way. However, i have zero dialysis experience.Im thinking about getting into dialysis while staying in the ED as per diem. I have an interview comin up with a fresenius clinic. How much less pay am i looking at by going to dialysis? Will i need to start back at the bottom of the pay ladder even with my current exp?

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi Ryan....I can't address the pay issues. However, your ED experience will be invaluable. My nursing background is ED also and the only reason that I was hired into a nephrology practice to see dialysis pts was that the docs loved the idea I could think on my feet and had well developed assessment skills.

So, although you will start with a learning curve, your experience will be a great asset.

Your time management and assessment skills will be your greatest asset. Depending on the facility, you might be taking care of a whole clinic( up to 50 pts/day), and the next you might be 1:1 with an acute pt in ICU. The clinic we run seems to have higher acquity patients than strictily OP clinics, I don't know if its because we are attatched to the hospital or what. So you might be used to the organized chaos. As far as pay goes, I have heard that the bigger companies like fresenius pay for years of experience so you might start at the bottom.

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