your input please...

[mtnmom]

hello all...I am new to this forum but not to allnurses.

First a little about me -I have been a nurse for 5 years, variety of settings, currently enrolled in an FNP program part-time to finish in 2008. Have been having major issues getting my current employer to work with me on scheduling with school...had always been interested in nephrology & dialysis because it seems patients in renal failure have such complex physiological and psychosocial issues...plus I like the idea of bonding with patients...had interviewed for 3 dialysis positions over the last 5 yrs and no one wanted to take on anyone with no exp. at the time.

Lo and behold, a local operation that is expanding from 3 to 6 days a week called me the other day to come in and talk to them. They still had my resume and contact info from 4 years ago (I was amazed). At the time I first moved to this area I had dropped off a resume and talked to the one RN who was getting the place up and running - they werent even taking patients yet. At the time they could not take on someone with no experience, and I understood that. So I was truly surprised to hear from them again! I figured I had nothing to lose so went in and interviewed...really liked the people I interviewed with - a manager and a nephrologist. They were interviewing one other person, so, again, I put it out of my mind thinking that they would certanly choose the other candidate.

Today they offered me the job. They are offereing me more than I am making now as my base salary...a decent day schedule (I work nights now and HATE it)...they are totally willing to work around my days off that I need each week for class....it is like heaven opened up and dumped this in my lap when I was really starting to get desperate.

I am just worried that it might be too good to be true...so please share with me what you love and hate about dialysis...be honest. Right now I have no good reason not to take this job!

[babs_rn]

If you have a team that works together well and puts the patients' concerns first, then there's nothing about it TO hate. The early morning hours take some getting used to, and you might have to run late once in awhile if a patient has to have their access declotted and run afterward so you shouldn't plan anything on your workdays. But overall, it's a very, very rewarding job if the center is run like it should be. Give it a shot - hey - what do you have to lose?

Make sure there is an adequate training program. You can get in over your head very easily if that is not in place.

Good luck!