[DeLana_RN]

I have to agree with others, although I love dialysis I did not love the chronic, outpatient environment. The reasons have been mentioned before and include a lot of responsibility (on Saturdays, I was the only RN), few or no other RNs to learn from and/or confer with when problems with pts arise, unsupportive/diabolical (I'm referring to my last regional director here) management, horrible hours (I had to get up at 4:00, which is midnight as far as I'm concerned), disrespectful/insubordinate PCTs, unethical/illegal activies (e.g., med pushes by UAPs encouraged/condoned by other RNs and LPNs), difficult/verbally abusive patients... I could go on.

On the flipside, I had many wonderful patients I got to know well and develop a relationship with; some wonderful PCTs (few, sadly); the pay was fair and benefits exceptional (that was Gambro, I hear that it does not apply to DaVita, who bought them).

Why am I still in dialysis? Acutes, or hospital inpatient dialysis is very different, and very nice (call is the only drawback, but you can't have everything However, you should have chronics experience before even considering this, and you should have med/surg or critical care experience before even considering dialysis. And before you travel, you really need a lot of experience because they don't pay the big money for nothing.

Sorry to say this, and we all know some who started out as new grads and did well, but that's the exception, not the rule and not recommended by those who know the specialty.

To summarize, we don't hate our jobs any more or less than nurses in other specialties. All nursing positions have their challenges, and people tend to post about their problems/gripes, not joys.

I wish you well in your first job and your nursing career.

DeLana

[young068]

Go to your nearest hospital and get trained in the ICU areas for at least 1 year. You will then have a better chance at succeeding in dialysis. If you decide you want to travel, you will have more options and make more money if you can do the critical care areas. Acute and chronic dialysis are pretty much being run by the big three private companies, and their bottom line is money...to the point where you have to count 2X2's! Also, since ICU patients get bedside dialysis, you might have an opportunity to learn a little "on the job" and find out if you like it. Believe me...you either love it or hate it!! Good luck and be assured that any decision you make will not be wrong...it will just change your path a little. I am a seasoned nurse and have been travelling in dialysis for 5 years.