ER vs. Dialysis (New Grad)

[DysrhythmiaRN11]

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.

[commonsense]

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.

Damn Tonya, most new grads can't even find a job, yet you managed to find two, congratulations.

[DeLana_RN, BSN, RN]

Congrats on your decision of taking the ER job, this acute care position (with good orientation/training) will give you many opportunities in the future.

Just a word of caution re. the dialysis position: I would not advise anyone (and especially a new grad) to work PRN in such a highly specialized field without at least one year of full-time dialysis experience. There are just so many situations that can occur that you may not be prepared to handle with such limited practice in the field; meanwhile, your manager may expect you to know (e.g., during performance reviews) the same as full-time employees who get much more experience in the same time period; unfair, but common.... (you can get more input on this in the dialysis forum on this site).

I wish you the very best for your career!

DeLana

[DysrhythmiaRN11]

Thankyou everyone, I am very appreciative of my opportunities as a new grad. All related to my hard work and persistance. I will definitely keep in mind that as a new grad, theres alot that I don't know and if working per diem in the specialty of dialysis isn't worth the risk then I will let it go permanently. The ER position is my main concern at this point. I will still keep everyone posted as to how the ER works out. I start on the 12th. I am excited. I am currently out on leave from the dialysis job and not sure if I want to really go back. I will be professional about the situation and I will definitely know what I want to do once I get my feet wet on the ER floor.