ER vs. Dialysis (New Grad)

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I would like to start off by saying that I graduated in January of this year. I am a RN ADN. The job world of nursing has been really difficult. I landed my first job in a nursing home... it was horrible... I lucked up with a dialysis job and I am recently out of training. For some reason.. I was called in for an interview at a hospital that I had applied to a while ago and the position was for the ER. I went to the interview and shortly after I emailed the lady and told her I wasn't interested due to my recent committment with my current job. I received an email back that said ok best of luck to me. A couple weeks later the HR department calls me and offers me the job (anyway) and I took it. I did my physical and paperwork today and I tried to resign from my job but I feel so bad because it was really nice for the lady to hire me with no experience in dialysis. What should I do... an ER position will take me much further than anything......its hard to get into the hospital and I don't plan on working in dialysis in the future at all.

Not being the best hospital usually indicates under staffing, lack of supplies, poor management etc...it's likely going to be a stressful environment to work in. That said I would still take the E.R job because your learning experienced will be varied and you can transfer to just about any unit after a while.

You wrote in your first post that you already know you don't want to do dialysis long term, you want an acute care job, and it has been hard to find a position.

If you already know all of that then why side track yourself for a few years doing something that you don't really want to do? Your boss seems manipulative to me...I would be wary of her. I don't like when an employer tries to lay a guilt trip on me. Yes, it's great that she gave you a chance and hired you but the day you aren't needed you will be let go. This is working relationship not a personal one. You have to do what is going to be the most beneficial for your career. Every boss is nice when they hire you for all you know the dialysis job might not turn out that great and then you will kick yourself for passing up the E.R job.

I can't say it any clearer....take the E.R job.

ok, and even though its not the best hospital.. is that ok?
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Specializes in operating room, dialysis.
Not being the best hospital usually indicates under staffing, lack of supplies, poor management etc...it's likely going to be a stressful environment to work in. That said I would still take the E.R job because your learning experienced will be varied and you can transfer to just about any unit after a while.

You wrote in your first post that you already know you don't want to do dialysis long term, you want an acute care job, and it has been hard to find a position.

If you already know all of that then why side track yourself for a few years doing something that you don't really want to do? Your boss seems manipulative to me...I would be wary of her. I don't like when an employer tries to lay a guilt trip on me. Yes, it's great that she gave you a chance and hired you but the day you aren't needed you will be let go. This is working relationship not a personal one. You have to do what is going to be the most beneficial for your career. Every boss is nice when they hire you for all you know the dialysis job might not turn out that great and then you will kick yourself for passing up the E.R job.

I can't say it any clearer....take the E.R job.

Thankyou.. you really kicked my butt with this one and i really appreciate it. i just needed to hear it. makes alot of sense!....

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Specializes in ICU.
I know that everyone gave me some good advice. I find myself in quite a situation because I am young and easily persuaded. I had made up my mind to do the ER job. My boss called me and she really takes things personal. She makes me feel guilty because she took a chance with me as a new grad. I should probably factor in the fact that the hospital i got hired at for the ER position is not the best hospital. Its in a poor neighborhood and is really noticed as a bad hospital. I know that a more experienced nurse would not take the position but I feel like because I am a new grad, it would probably still be a good opportunity no matter what kind of hospital it is. Please someone help me. If this was a good hospital, there would be no question in my mind of what to do,but this is the main issue for me. Does it matter if its a good hospital or not. Should I just chance it with dialysis until a better opportunity as far as a better hospital opens up? HELP!!!!!

The fact that you are young is irrelevant, but the fact that you are easily persuaded is something you need to work on. It's alright to ask for advice, probably even a good quality to have, but ultimately the decision is yours. Weight the pros and cons and the advice you have received and make the decision on your own. You're the one who has to live with whatever decision you make, so you need to be the one to make the decision.

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Specializes in operating room, dialysis.
The fact that you are young is irrelevant, but the fact that you are easily persuaded is something you need to work on. It's alright to ask for advice, probably even a good quality to have, but ultimately the decision is yours. Weight the pros and cons and the advice you have received and make the decision on your own. You're the one who has to live with whatever decision you make, so you need to be the one to make the decision.

True. Its just nice to hear from experience nurses who have been in the field and know what they are talking about. My easy persuation comes from always trying to do the right thing, but I know that at the end of the day the decision is up to me. I have to do what makes me happy and the thought of the ER excites me honestly, but the thought of leaving my recent new job is what gets me. Then for my boss to call me and act like she had lost a high school sweet heart freaked me out even more.. lol. So I am convinced that I will walk into that dialysis center tommorrow and do my two weeks and stick with my answer of ER and not change my mind no matter what the boss has to say. I appreciate it. Thanku.

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Specializes in operating room, dialysis.
True. Its just nice to hear from experience nurses who have been in the field and know what they are talking about. My easy persuation comes from always trying to do the right thing, but I know that at the end of the day the decision is up to me. I have to do what makes me happy and the thought of the ER excites me honestly, but the thought of leaving my recent new job is what gets me. Then for my boss to call me and act like she had lost a high school sweet heart freaked me out even more.. lol. So I am convinced that I will walk into that dialysis center tommorrow and do my two weeks and stick with my answer of ER and not change my mind no matter what the boss has to say. I appreciate it. Thanku.

and the thought that its not a good hospital but that was cleared up for me. SO i am confident!

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Specializes in ICU.
True. Its just nice to hear from experience nurses who have been in the field and know what they are talking about. My easy persuation comes from always trying to do the right thing, but I know that at the end of the day the decision is up to me. I have to do what makes me happy and the thought of the ER excites me honestly, but the thought of leaving my recent new job is what gets me. Then for my boss to call me and act like she had lost a high school sweet heart freaked me out even more.. lol. So I am convinced that I will walk into that dialysis center tommorrow and do my two weeks and stick with my answer of ER and not change my mind no matter what the boss has to say. I appreciate it. Thanku.

Sounds like you made your decision, just remember when you walk into the dialysis center tomorrow that this is a professional decision, not a personal one. It seems like the dialysis manager who hired you took it personal, but all you can do is act professional and realize you're making this decision to benefit your career and yourself, not because of anything the dialysis unit or manager did to you.

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Specializes in Mixed ICU, OHU.

sometimes you need to think about yourself and YOUR goals :) Good luck!

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Specializes in operating room, dialysis.
sometimes you need to think about yourself and YOUR goals :) Good luck!

Absolutely agree

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Absolutely agree

I wish you well with the ER position. Please keep us posted.

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Specializes in operating room, dialysis.

I went to work yesterday and i was so nervous. I was there at 6am and it took me to 3 pm to even go to my boss to have THE talk with her. I told her that I appreciate the opportunity, but I was offered the ER job as she knows and I turned it down, I somehow was offered the position anyway and I decided to take it. I told her that I feel as though this is a better opportunity for a new grad due the experience I will get. I also told her that I do love my dialysis job and if she would like to leave the door open I would love to still work there...

To my surprise..... My boss told me she will allow me to work per diem (which is an unsual offer for a new grad with no experience) and when the time comes, she will put me out on a leave of absence to do my training in the ER and when I am ready we can work out a schedule. WOW.

I really appreciate everyones help.

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I went to work yesterday and i was so nervous. I was there at 6am and it took me to 3 pm to even go to my boss to have THE talk with her. I told her that I appreciate the opportunity, but I was offered the ER job as she knows and I turned it down, I somehow was offered the position anyway and I decided to take it. I told her that I feel as though this is a better opportunity for a new grad due the experience I will get. I also told her that I do love my dialysis job and if she would like to leave the door open I would love to still work there...

To my surprise..... My boss told me she will allow me to work per diem (which is an unsual offer for a new grad with no experience) and when the time comes, she will put me out on a leave of absence to do my training in the ER and when I am ready we can work out a schedule. WOW.

I really appreciate everyones help.

That is AWESOME! I'm very glad for you. Congrats :yeah:

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That's great news! Congrats on the ER job and on keeping the dialysis spot per diem. :yeah:

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