First Nursing Job Dialysis Am I Stuck Forever

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I am A new graduate who graduated in May of 2018. I was licensed by June 15, 2018 and I was offered a job to start in July 16th, 2018 at an outpatient dialysis center. It was my only job offer at the time so I decided to take it because I was not getting any hospital offers at the time. This job was also non contract so I thought I can take the job while working on my BSN and applying for different jobs and going on other interviews. I felt that any experience beats having no experience. I could start building a resume. The problem is that a lot of people, and even some Nursing Professors warned me and told me not to take a dialysis job because if I did then I would be doomed that no hospitals will ever want to hire me in the future. I feel that it is better to get any type of RN experience rather than sit around for months waiting for my Ideal job. I decided to give dialysis a chance and I needed to start working. I did not want to blow through savings waiting for my dream job. My other problem is that I am not into dialysis at all. I realize that I have not been working there for a very long time but believe me when I tell you that I have seen enough where I know that this specialty is not for me. While I am still learning and getting experience, I find hemodialysis to be very repetitive and I feel like I am not using a lot of med surg skills learned in school. I am not ready for something this specialized this early on in my career. I strongly prefer to see more of a variety of patients in a hospital/acute setting. Also starting at 5AM and not getting out until 9 o'clock at night is killing me. I realize that most Nursing jobs are long hours But the 16+ hour shifts are starting to getting in the way with my BSN studies.

Is this just a myth that once someone works in dialysis that they are stuck in it for their entire career? I don't believe that this myth is true because when I started working at my dialysis center, a nurse that had been working there for close to a year and had been offered a hospital position and resigned. I feel there is hope that I will get in a hospital in time but then again, her hospital offer was kidney related. She was offered a medsurg position for pre and post op on a kidney transplant unit. As grateful as I am to have a job and be working as an RN, I still feel terrified that I am going to restrict my career options. I know that things could be worse and I could have no job as many people that I graduated with back in May are still not working. Truthfully it is the same people without jobs who have never worked as an RN who I went to school with who are putting these ideas into my head. These are the people who would rather let months go by without a job or experience. They feel that it is better for them to work on their BSN's and then after that apply for their ideal job. They complain about being licensed and unemployed yet they are super picky about where they want to work. Hopefully those in this speciality or who previously worked in this specialty can give me better advice.

My first job as a new grad was in a dialysis clinic. I recently started working at a hospital after nine years so there is hope. I will tell you that I am learning new skills at the hospital but I miss the structure of a dialysis clinic. It is hard to be responsible for so many systems- heart, lung, wound care etc. I now understand why the older nurses are ending their career in dialysis- I have to finish my contract out (I am in a residency program) but I imagine that I will go back to dialysis one day. The grass is always greener on the other side.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
On 1/23/2019 at 12:17 PM, nurseontheway said:

I now understand why the older nurses are ending their career in dialysis

Definitely the structure! And not lifting, pulling, turning, etc. To me, the dialysis grass is greener!

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.

I am stuck and definitely did not decide to be. I am desperate to do ANYTHING that is not dialysis. I’ve been trying for years and no one will hire me.

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I work on a med-surg unit. The beauty of med-surg is its diversity of patients and health issues. Every nurse comes with a unique background. They all add an expertise to the unit.

For example, Mary worked in psych. She knows what to do when a Geri-psych patient freaks out because she thinks we are trying to steal her purse. John has a background in detox. He can spot a patient who is about to crash from the back of his head. Beth worked in long term care. I’m not sure there’s anything she can’t do!

Likewise, med surg is going to have dialysis patients, patients with acute kidney injuries, kidney function impairment...as well as the comorbities that you see in dialysis, such as heart disease, mental health, and diabetes. These are all valuable skills and all transferable. Don’t focus on “I am just a dialysis nurse.” Focus on the totality of the environment, patients and skills you gain in dialysis.

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Specializes in ED / CTICU.

Everybody was right! Dialysis nursing did set a pretty good foundation for me but I only stayed for six months until I got into an ER. Emergency nursing Was something I had always wanted. I have to say that a lot a dialysis patients do end up in emergency care frequently. I feel confident caring for a dialysis patient and having an idea of what is going on with them. I’ve had two situations with arterial sides of the fistula that could not stop bleeding. These patients were in the trauma bay. Any of the dialysis complications in the ER most of the other staff come to me. Another interesting coincidence is that in my hospital anything that is outpatient such as the cancer center or the dialysis floor; Rapid response is up to the emergency department nurses (me) Anything inpatient is up to the ICU nurses. I feel very confident doing a rapid response on the dialysis floor because of my exposure to it. I guess as a new grad I was just really worried about ending up in a setting that was not ideal but I realize now that I was smart for taking the job at the time, As many of the new grads were a bit picky which left them a full year still not employed.

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On 4/10/2019 at 5:19 PM, Biology2Nursing said:

Everybody was right! Dialysis nursing did set a pretty good foundation for me but I only stayed for six months until I got into an ER. Emergency nursing Was something I had always wanted. I have to say that a lot a dialysis patients do end up in emergency care frequently. I feel confident caring for a dialysis patient and having an idea of what is going on with them. I’ve had two situations with arterial sides of the fistula that could not stop bleeding. These patients were in the trauma bay. Any of the dialysis complications in the ER most of the other staff come to me. Another interesting coincidence is that in my hospital anything that is outpatient such as the cancer center or the dialysis floor; Rapid response is up to the emergency department nurses (me) Anything inpatient is up to the ICU nurses. I feel very confident doing a rapid response on the dialysis floor because of my exposure to it. I guess as a new grad I was just really worried about ending up in a setting that was not ideal but I realize now that I was smart for taking the job at the time, As many of the new grads were a bit picky which left them a full year still not employed.

I appreciate ER nurses like you that remind doctors that a 2L bolus on a dialysis patient isn't a good idea just because EPIC says they meet "sepsis protocol"

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Specializes in ED / CTICU.
2 hours ago, Twinmom06 said:

I appreciate ER nurses like you that remind doctors that a 2L bolus on a dialysis patient isn't a good idea just because EPIC says they meet "sepsis protocol"

Story of my life ? “hey doc they’re on dialysis!”

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Specializes in Acute Dialysis.

Old thread but, for new people; No starting in dialysis does not affect your ability to get hired in a new specialty. I'm not a hiring manager but, we are hired because we are legally allowed to practice nursing. Just realize, one specialty does not translate to others necessarily so don't expect to be treated like an expert in a new specialty. If they need you, they will hire you. If they don't, they won't. I'm certain that if a hospital could hire a new grad to get rid of a traveler, they WILL do it. Just expect to be treated like you know nothing if its a new specialty; and guess what! You DON'T know "much" if you've never worked in that specialty before!! Know your limits, be humble, and you won't go wrong.

I've been HDacutes for about 3 years and about 11years nursing total. Pretty much know what I like and don't like. Did the ICU CCRN thing, neuro step down, inpt rehab, floated to most all the floors, worked local travel and pretty much did most units (never did HemOnc or ER for more than a shift at a time) on contract. Each specialty is "special." med surge, is easy to get into. ICU, CAN be easy to get into (higher trauma levels tend to be more picky). Dialysis is a great place to get your feet wet and you don't know if you like it till you actually work in it. I LOVE dialysis; won't work anything else at this point. ER, theres a place for most anyone since they have so many levels of care.

New grads shouldn't expect to be running a trauma room or managing a balloon pump or taking a fresh post op transplant. but just getting a hospital job? Any job? first job at a dialysis clinic shouldn't be a factor. if its all you got to get started, go for it.

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Specializes in Acute Dialysis.
On ‎2‎/‎3‎/‎2019 at 12:16 AM, Natkat said:

I am stuck and definitely did not decide to be. I am desperate to do ANYTHING that is not dialysis. I’ve been trying for years and no one will hire me.

Anything? Really? and there's been no opportunity for multiple years?! how bout other areas like jails, psych, doctor offices, standalone ERs, go back to school, outpt rehab? I bet there's something out there. If you are willing to move, there's definitely something you can find. If you are safe, have appropriate credentials, and carry yourself like you know what you are doing, its hard to imagine hospitals (often just need to fill up their staffing roles and don't REALLY care about the nitty gritty) won't hire you simply cause you work dialysis. I mean, if they will hire a new grad who, for all practical purposes, are assumed to not know anything yet, you can't get hired as an experienced clinician JUST cause you work in dialysis? I bet if you show up with your license, say I'll take anything and I'll be happy to work for a minimum of a year, they will suck you up REAL quick. And again, you may need to move. Keep your hopes up and be creative! I bet there's something you can find. Best of lucks!!

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One my doubt differences in bachleors in dailysis therapy what will it job in abroad country like Canada a dailysis techinan or dailysis nurse because both are same in bachleors degrees i request to you tell me answer

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Specializes in Dialysis.

You've posted this in another thread. Please rephrase, it is very hard to understand. We want to help you, but cant if not sure what you need

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Specializes in Corrections, neurology, dialysis.

I am not sure what it is that is hard to understand, but let me try again. I'll try and trim some of what I wrote before.

My first job after nursing school was in dialysis. About a year after graduation I began looking for other jobs and got nothing. 11 years later I am still in dialysis and still no one will hire me. In those years I have gotten a BSN and MSN and that has not helped at all. I still cannot get another job. I have applied everywhere - outpatient clinics, radiology, med-surg, doctors offices, infusion centers, nurse navigator, case management to name a few. No luck. If I get a response it's always the same - I don't have enough experience.

I want to get out of dialysis and get some other experience, but since no one will hire me I can't get any other experience.

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