Acute dialysis or new grad program

THISCHEMO-RNCHICK, BSN · Jul 1, 2016

I would go with acute dialysis. It is very rewarding and you can always get certification in apheresis, red blood cell exchange etc. The pay in this field is phenomenal.

Rn.bsn. · Jul 3, 2016

L&D nurse thank you for your response. Thank you for the advice I appreciate it. I took the job and now on training for a week now, it is very interesting so far. Take care. Happy 4th!

NurseRies, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2016

I love dialysis , started as a new grad and planned to leave, but here I am 6+ years later... I figure there's plenty of time to go to icu or tele later. Doing acutes give you some basic hospital nursing skills, it's all what you make of it. When I'm in icu , I ask a lot of questions, and looks up the IV drips. You see all kinds of patients in dialysis, learn all you can.

L and D nurse is right- the pay is incomparable to most specialties. That makes it hard to leave too, but keep in mind that we work unpredictable schedules and have longer days. I avg 50 Hours a week by choice to make more money. There's always work for me.

Rn.bsn. · Jul 3, 2016

Hi NurseRies, BSN. Thank you for your input I really appreciate it. Glad to know you can make more money and work longer hours by choice. I am told that normally you get 2patients in one shift and its upto you if you wanna take a 3rd patient for that day. I am so excited now! Thank you so much. Happy 4th!

nocturnallife, ASN, RN · Jul 5, 2016

Happy 4th! I am going to be a new graduate in December. I'm also interested in being a Dialysis Nurse. I like the idea of getting to seeing the same patients and having more autonomy.I'm in Florida I not sure how to go about finding somewhere that will hire a new graduate as a dialysis nurse. Any suggestions? @rn.bsn where are you from?

Bumex, DNP, NP · Jul 5, 2016

New grad program, hands down. You need to get a solid set of nursing skills that you will need to assess your patient. Depends on the dialysis service, but you might be by yourself. If a patient starts to go bad, you will need to have some skills under your belt to help your patient. You may be able to learn this in dialysis, but wouldn't you want to be sue you can handle anything?

Furthermore, I know some nurses who have only done dialysis and can't find jobs as floor nurses because they never worked on the floor. If they were to convert, they would be considered new grads once again. Yes you get tons of in depth knowledge in dialysis, but does that help you with handling 4-6 patients as a floor nurse? Probably not.

You have to evaluate the goals of your career, don't focus on money. Focus on what will give you the best opportunity to mesh with your goals.

I'll tell you what, I was in the same situation two years ago: home health gig vs new grad program. I went new grad program. It was stressful, but it gave me the best skill set i could imagine. I am comfortable being a nurse, and I'm comfortable collaborating with physician counterparts because I am competent in all the faucets of patient care.

Rn.bsn. · Jul 5, 2016

Hi nocturnallife, happy 4th, congratulations in advance. I suggest you apply anything or anyone who hires new graduates, it's tough to start. I started out at skilled nursing facility, but I never stopped applying to anything, just keep on updating your resume and keep applying while working, anything helps. I'm from California! I hope this helps. I've heard that there's more autonomy in acute dialysis, but not the same patients, you go to different hospitals. but not sure about chronic dialysis, I believe that's where you get same patient.

Rn.bsn. · Jul 6, 2016

Thank you msufan3710 for your response, I appreciate it. When I wrote this post, I was still working at a skilled nursing facility, got an offer at dialysis and had interview at a hospital for a Newgrad program. It turns out Newgrad program never called me back after the interview, so at this point I have no choice, I would rather be stuck at dialysis that makes good money, than be stuck with skilled nursing facility that don't pay much and be stressed out and overworked. I know it sounds bad,sounds like I'm only after the money, but in reality we have mouth to feed and at this economy and job market for Newgrad there's really not much choice, but to get the most of what you can get. I'm still not giving up, I will get as much experience as I can,then hopefully I can land in one of the hospital floors, I will just have to work hard to get there. Some gets lucky to get in to those Newgrad programs, but where I live they don't take much people. Thank you for your input! Have a wonderful evening.

nocturnallife, ASN, RN · Jul 6, 2016

Thanks for replying and good luck :)

Nurse190815 · Jul 6, 2016

Hey, I have been an Acute Dialysis Nurse for 15 months in South Florida for Davita. I was hired as a new grad. The starting pay is higher than floor nurse as a new grad. I have made a lot of money in 1 year. There is plenty of overtime if you want it. Also as an Acute nurse, you are all over the hospital on different floors which will help you decide what area of nursing you want to be in. Davita promotes growth. I was considering leaving Dialysis for ICU but I'm in the process of being considered for a Clinical Coordinator. I agree, it depends on your career goals. My goal is to be an Administrator, so if it's with dialysis, that's where I will be for awhile

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Jul 6, 2016

I have serious concerns with new grads in Acutes who have no floor experience, not even basic med surg. But, that also depends on the program and if you are working alongside seasoned AHD nurses.

If you are going solo in an Acute Unit, it is a recipe for disaster. If you are going room to room and have the floor RN's right there, then it is not as much of a concern.

Good luck!