which job should I take ? dialysis or assisted living ?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in LTC.

Im a new grad LPN and yesterday I was offered a part time job as a nurse at an assisted living for alzheimers residents and today I had an interview for a fulltime position in working in dialysis. I have already been hired at the asst. living so I don't want to give it up but at the same time I really need full time. the dialysis place have not hired me yet because I have to do a second interview but the first one went well. my question is: should I accept my part time job at asst. living or should I forget about it and pursue the dialysis position that is full time? I just don't want to burn any bridges here.

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Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.

How about telling the assisted living you cant start for another week or so? This way you can assess the situation with the dialysis place. Good luck.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Having been a DNS in assisted living, I don't think it's any job for a new grad, whether RN or LPN/LVN. You'll lose your technical skills quickly because you won't be using them, and you don't yet have the analytical assessment or management skills gained from practicing in a hospital or even a nursing home for awhile.

My advice would ideally be NOT to specialize at this time. But since your choice is between two less-than-ideal new-grad positions, I'd take the dialysis job to gain some experience.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

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Go for the dialysis job!

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Specializes in Surgery, Tele, OB, Peds,ED-True Float RN.

What will you actually be doing in Dialysis? Here the LPN's cannot needle anyone. They clean the machines, do vitals, weigh people. Depends on what skills you are looking to use I guess. What do you think you will enjoy more???

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Specializes in LTC.
What will you actually be doing in Dialysis? Here the LPN's cannot needle anyone. They clean the machines, do vitals, weigh people. Depends on what skills you are looking to use I guess. What do you think you will enjoy more???

I would be responsible for assessing, giving medications, hooking them to the machine or needling, managing the techs and etc. seems like a pretty neat job where I'd be utilizing my nursing skills.

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Go for the dialysis position, sounds like that's what you really want and it's a neat specialty....you get to learn alot. The patients on dialysis usually have many other issues going on with them health wise (HTN, wounds, electrolyte imbalances, etc..) so you will be getting lots of experience, not just pertaining to dialysis. Not as open-shut as some may think...:yeah:

Oh yeah, wait until the position is gauranteed before you let go of the other one. Don't know how to tell you how to do that, but figure out some way where you can. :banghead:

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Specializes in dialysis (mostly) some L&D, Rehab/LTC.
What will you actually be doing in Dialysis? Here the LPN's cannot needle anyone. They clean the machines, do vitals, weigh people. Depends on what skills you are looking to use I guess. What do you think you will enjoy more???

Why can't they cannulate pts? PCT's do!

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What will you actually be doing in Dialysis? Here the LPN's cannot needle anyone. They clean the machines, do vitals, weigh people. Depends on what skills you are looking to use I guess. What do you think you will enjoy more???

Don't generalize about the role of LPNs. In Alberta, LPNs who work in Dialysis attend exactly the same training course as the RNs. They cannulate and are responsible for the on/offs of their patients. We employ service aides to do the cleaning and stringing of the machines. When units are swamped both grade of nurses are required to sanitize and restring.

In fact the only difference between the LPNs and RNs working Dialysis in Alberta is the method of delivery of ONE drug. RNs can push on return, while LPNs administer it subQ.

Generalizations are a nasty thing.

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Why can't they cannulate pts? PCT's do!

Some provinces in Canada have very strong and vocal Colleges of Registered Nurses who protect their skill sets with great vigour.

Our provincial legislation is quite clear on which medical professionals can access veins (hence the specialty tag for Dialysis LPNs)

PCTs don't exist north of the 49th.

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Specializes in Surgery, Tele, OB, Peds,ED-True Float RN.
Don't generalize about the role of LPNs. In Alberta, LPNs who work in Dialysis attend exactly the same training course as the RNs. They cannulate and are responsible for the on/offs of their patients. We employ service aides to do the cleaning and stringing of the machines. When units are swamped both grade of nurses are required to sanitize and restring.

In fact the only difference between the LPNs and RNs working Dialysis in Alberta is the method of delivery of ONE drug. RNs can push on return, while LPNs administer it subQ.

Generalizations are a nasty thing.

First of all, I was not making generalizations... Well, maybe I was, about MY hospital. You and I are not from the same place and I was stating what LPN's do HERE and then asking what skills would she be using... don't have to be so touchy and put words in my mouth. The OP obviously new I wasn't trying to say anything about what LPN's SHOULD be able to do, only asking what she can actually do! Do not try to make me out to be a bad guy here1

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Specializes in Surgery, Tele, OB, Peds,ED-True Float RN.
I would be responsible for assessing, giving medications, hooking them to the machine or needling, managing the techs and etc. seems like a pretty neat job where I'd be utilizing my nursing skills.

Wow, sounds like a really great experience for a new nurse! If you're up for learning some new skills, I'd say go for it!

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