CHT, new grad RN wants to work in dialysis but...

NurseRies, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2013

I have been a CHT for over 10 years and I love it. Throughout nursing school people asked if I planned to stay in outpatient dialysis as an RN. My answer was always, "not sure" or "maybe after a few years". Now, nearing the end of my final semester, I realize that I am exactly where I want to be. I love working in dialysis and think my passion for the field of nursing has come from loving what I have done and where I've been for the past 10+ years. The problem is, the facility/company I work for has a policy that all dialysis RNs need to have at least 1 year of med/surg experience prior to working in this specialty. I am deeply saddened by this. My manager is in favor of me staying on as an RN, if there is an open position (and there almost always is!), but the final decision is not his. How should I approach this with upper management? I am a good employee and loyal as a puppy! I love the staff and patients and couldn't imagine working anywhere else. Any advice would be great! Thank you[/quote']
I say just tell them the truth- you love their company, you know their policies, why not hire you?! How can it be a requirement? Even the big dialysis companies hire new grads! Tell them you've been trying to get a med surg job and can't! Granted that you are trying in reality, I am sure you won't get hired very easily. Everyone struggles to get a med surg job. I say, go through the appropriate chain of command, talk to your manager, then you administrator, and ask you administrator if she/he would be upset if you talked to the higher ups, explaining your passion and devotion. They'd be crazy not to take you!!

SonnyCHT · Apr 5, 2013

Thank you. Having worked in dialysis for some time, I feel the same way and so do many of my co-workers. One issue is that my outpatient clinic is part of a large hospital. There are positions (even on the renal floor) in the hospital that are open. I don't even want to apply for those. I want to stay where I am.

Trauma Columnist · Apr 5, 2013

Dialysis is extremely specialized. I vote for a yr or two of general RN hospital experience. The RN role in a dialysis clinic is far different from the tech role. You need more assessment experience.

SonnyCHT · Apr 5, 2013

Dialysis is extremely specialized. I vote for a yr or two of general RN hospital experience. The RN role in a dialysis clinic is far different from the tech role. You need more assessment experience.

You have an excellent point.

serenidad2004 · Apr 5, 2013

I agree with the above opinion of needing some experience as an RN. I had 8-9yrs experience in skilled/LTC and the switch to dialysis was still difficult. I felt like a new grad all over again even tho I had experience.

NurseRies, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2013

I agree with the above opinion of needing some experience as an RN. I had 8-9yrs experience in skilled/LTC and the switch to dialysis was still difficult. I felt like a new grad all over again even tho I had experience.

I started in dialysis as a new grad with only waitressing experience and did fine! But I had good help from charge nurses and techs. You won't be charge for at least a year, I think it's doable. I would have loved other experience, but the jobs weren't there for a new grad. Dialysis was the only job that even called me back. I applied to over 90!! But hey, if you can find a med surg job, I'd take it!!

five10fevr, ASN, RN · Apr 6, 2013

If you know Dialysis is your passion take it. I wish I would of stayed as a CHT when going to nursing school. Instead I switched to a unit secretary at a good hospital because everyone said I needed that 1-2 years on the floor and thought it was a foot in. Now I cant find a job in the hospital or in a dialysis unit as a RN. You know where your heart is. Best of luck to you.