Chronic vs Acute

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Specializes in med-surg/ telemetry/PEDS.

Must you have experience in Chronic dialysis before working in an acute unit? If so why. I don't know a lot dialysis but am interested. Thanks

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I was hired for acute dialysis ~ 1 month ago and have absolutely no experience in dialysis.

I am currently orienting in chronics and really like it. I am not ready to be 'on my own' just yet and still have a couple months of orientation left.

If you're interested in dialysis (acutes), I say go for it!!!:up:

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Specializes in jack of all trades.

Just my own opinion. I have been an RN for over 28 years with a strong critical care background. I went to chronics 1 year ago and now moving to the acute setting. Remember in acutes you may very well be "alone" and not have anyone to call on to come to your aid for troubleshooting with the machines etc. Who is going to be there in relation to dialysis at 3 am in the morning to answer your questions? The floor nurse or even the ICU nurse wont have a clue what to do related to dialysis issues so they cant help you. Personally as a new grad I wouldnt consider going straight into acutes without a background in either critical care or at least 1 year in chronics. I know of new grads who have done this and managed fine but in the long run they wish they had gotten experience in other areas first. Remember that they usually have numerous other comorbitities to deal with such as DM, cardiac disease, etc.

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Agree with pp, I would strongly recommend experience in med/surg or critical care and chronic dialysis before doing acutes. Few hospitals still have an acute unit (mine is one of the few that does) where you have other RNs who could train you (still, we have only one nurse out of 11 who started as a new grad; she is doing very well, however, after 8 years. I don't know how it was for her at first since I've only worked here for 14 months).

The company I used to work for did train a nurse in acutes who had no chronic dialysis experience (they contract with the hospital), and she did well, but she had a critical care background.

In summary, I would say it depends on your background and the training and support you will get.

Best of luck to you!

DeLana

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