Dialysis for new grad - pros and cons

nutella, MSN, RN · Jun 10, 2016

Hi everyone! Might start with DaVita soon and I just want to get insights about working as a dialysis nurse - pros and cons. I'm a graduate nurse with a BSN, got my license in Oct. 2015, no experience. I'm really excited because I've read so many great comments about dialysis and DaVita but honeslty, sometimes I can't help but get discouraged by people who hate dialysis (and DaVita) and say I shouldn't get into it because I'm a new nurse and that DaVita sucks! Hoping to get some meaningful insights. Thank you very much.

I worked for that specific company but in acute dialysis. Personally, I did not have any problems with the company. I felt supported, the education was very appropriate and my training was great. The team was supportive and I liked to work with my coworkers. Is it a perfect company? No - of course not. But their approach to "team" work and priorities for employees was a good fit for me. I also worked for the other big company and can say that both companies have a different "feel" to it. What it comes down to is basically personal preference and in chronics it really depends on the individual clinic. You can have a great Davita clinic and a bad Fresenius or the other way around - all depends on management, the culture in the clinic and also the patient population.

As always - you get out what you put in. Especially in dialysis you need to be proactive in the beginning. Make sure you get all the work books, download the compendium for dialysis technicians online, read read read. You need to really understand the basics and the more in depth. Make sure you are rested and have a clear head when you go to work as you will have to learn and memorize a lot.

I had a great preceptor when I started dialysis and the knowledge / education was very good.

I do not think there is anything wrong with going to dialysis for your first nursing job. It will be a steep learning curve but if you like dialysis it could be a great career for you. There are so many possibilities with dialysis.You can branch out and learn PD, you could become an acute dialysis nurse, you can get specialty certified. Davita has tuition reimbursement and with a clinic schedule you could even consider going back to school at some point...

Good luck!!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2016

Moved to our Dialysis / Renal forum for more replies.