Decisions, Decisions...Opinions Welcome!

[Cougarstheta]

hello all...so here is my dilemma/opportunity. i am a recent new grad. the new grad positions in my area are few and far between at local hospitals (between 1-5 offerings per week). i was offered an opportunity at a local dialysis clinic in my area. the pay is competitive to the hospital pay, 3 days a week, 12 hour shifts, etc. being that i am a new grad i am a little hesitant to jump on this position right away. i worry about getting enough experience in dialysis to move on to something else later on in my career; my ultimate goal is women's and infant services, preferably labor and delivery one day. i have almost 20 applications that are active within the hospitals, but can not seem to get an interview unless i have a direct contact within the department...the old saying not what you know but who you know! so this is where i am at. i'm ready to work, but it just wasn't where or what i was expecting to be starting with as a new grad. i would just like to hear any point of views that would assist me to make the best possible decision. thanks and i look forward to hearing opinions and experiences:)

[ruralgirl08]

If you really want L & D look into relocating to a place where they are taking new grads possibly some kind of internship program, and apply. A friend of mine had to move out west to get her dream job, and after gaining a couple years expereince, is working on coming back home. If that is not an option. Sometimes you just need to take what you can get, because a current nursing position, is better then ending up with no recent expereince.Then take courses pertaining to L & D, try and get in anywhere at the hospital you want to work at, and transfer into your department of choice when you are able to.

If the job market is not so bad in your area, you can afford to be a bit more choosy. Btw, That Dialysis job does not sound to bad:)

[Marisette, BSN, RN]

I went into dialysis nursing about a year after getting my nursing license. I understand everyone has to do what is good for them. If you choose to go into dialysis nursing because of the employment situation, I would advice you to leave within two years.

I have found that once you do dialysis nursing for many years, employers are less likely to hire you. Dialysis nursing is actually not low stress and you will be using patient asessment skills and iv skills etc.. However, most employers don't understand what dialysis nurses do and tend to think that perhaps you have not developed your skills. Some of the large dialysis providers or companies have their own computer software system and you will not get exposure to the more common computer software systems like epic.

My personal experience is that nurses working in a variety of settings have better opportunities for employment in the future. I don't think employers are impressed by my many years of dialysis working experience. There have been many changes in dialysis nursing since I started many years ago, and I have decided to leave dialysis. Now my decision as a new 24 year old grad is coming back to haunt me. It's like I'm a new grad again looking for a job.