Is Dialysis nursing good for a brand new RN

[proudRN]

I am torn. Hospital step down progressive care or dialysis?? I just graduated and passed by boards, although I have been working as an LPN for 2 years at an assisted living facility. I was recently offered a job at a dialysis clinic but I am hesitant to accept it. I feel like a brand new RN should get the first 2 years experience at a hospital. The hours are decent at dialysis, some shifts will start at 4:00 am but thats fine. In the hospital there is nothing but overnight shift which I will do for a bit but its not my favorite choice, especially because I am no spring chicken in my 20's, I am 44.

Thoughts? Opinions?

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I think hospital experience as a new grad is a better long term bet than going straight into dialysis. Do a search for one of the multiple threads on surviving and thriving on the night shift -- or on rotating shifts.

[CFrancine, BSN, RN]

Do what's best for you and your health. I couldn't do nights, I got into dialysis after two years for this reason (among others). Your first job is the toughest to come by. Take what you can get and live with

[fitzmar27]

Personally, I started as a tech in dialysis then couldn't get a job in dialysis after graduating with my RN, so I took a night shift position on a med/surg floor. I hated nights, but it was honestly one of the best decisions I made - I was able to transition to the day shift after 5 months when another nurse left and I stayed for 2.5 years total. I am very grateful to have that floor nursing experience now that I am back in dialysis - for me at least, I feel much more confident caring for my patients - especially in emergency situations since I had that experience on the floor.

On the other side of things, in the dialysis unit I work in currently, many of the nurses never had floor experience and went straight into dialysis. If you think dialysis is something you can see yourself doing long term, go for it!! Especially with your LVN experience, you have probably seen a lot and have experience making autonomous choices.

Good luck!!

[PRChavez, ASN, RN]

Yes! I became a dialysis nurse right out of Nursing school. I ended up loving it, left for a few years to work peds in a hospital and the ER... for the "hospital experience" I thought I needed for myself, now I'm going back to dialysis.