Leaving dialysis?

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Specializes in Dialysis, Diabetes Education.

I finally landed back in outpatient dialysis 3 years ago after a 10 year break and I was so excited! Overall it has been good, I love my patients and most of my coworkers. I have a 4 minute commute and work the typical 3-4 days a week. However, the 4am start time has been much harder on me this time at 45 than when I started in dialysis as a 21 year old nurse. Our clinic is also always short staffed. Which is typical in this area. And there are The typical problems with working for one of the big 2. And our health insurance is horrible. The biggest issue is the RN with the most seniority has been very underhanded with me lately. I won't go into details now, but I feel like I have to watch my back whenever we work together now. I haven't really been looking for anything else, but recently was made aware of a position that opened up for a physician group I worked with as a diabetes educator, the same group of people that I would love to work with again. But it's a 5 day a week office job with some Saturdays and a 25 minute commute. It pays about $10/hr more and I could have a more normal sleep schedule. I'm really torn and am considering talking to the CRNP who I worked with at the physician group, but not sure if it's a good idea. Any thoughts?

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Honestly you had me at $10.00/hr more. That's a pretty significant raise unless it's a no-benefits situation in which case what sounds like a great raise really isn't.

At the least it wouldn't hurt to talk to that CRNP you used to work with there and explore the possibilities. If you like what you hear you could always proceed with applying. If you are offered the position at that point you'll be able to review their formal offer and decide then if it's something you want to accept, something you want to negotiate or something you just want to respectfully decline.

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Specializes in Dialysis, Diabetes Education.

@kbrn2002 Thanks for your feedback. I did talk to the NP and she was very enthusiastic and feels I would be a good fit for the position. So I'm going to apply and see what happens. The hourly raise would be great, and they do have full benefits that are better than what I have now. And I would get to work with people I can trust. That alone is huge!

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Specializes in Dialysis.

you could always offer to stay PRN at the clinic, in case the new position doesn't work out if offered. I hate hearing that another nurse treated you that way. They should be glad that someone with some knowledge is there. I have one at my clinic that way, that I have had many discussions on attitude. Of course, she complains the loudest when short staffed, but is one reason given when new hires quit. My bosses won't allow me to do more than smack her hand. I'd love to go more drastic steps...but that's a whole 'nuther thread...

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Specializes in Dialysis, Diabetes Education.

PRN is an interesting idea. If it weren't for the problematic RN I would definitely consider it. Everyone at the clinic had warned me about this RN trying to cause problems for other staff, but she has never been a problem for me until now. She's been there 12 years, since the clinic opened, and has gone through 3 managers, so it could be the same type of thing where they can't really discipline her like they wish. Basically I thought she was helping me by finishing meds so we could get lunches started. Came back from lunch and meds were gone. She left for the day and didn't say anything. I came back in the next morning and opened a drawer to find the meds I thought she gave. She deliberately moved them and let me think they were given. Things like that-not quite as extreme- have happened to other staff here, but this crosses a line for me. I can't work with someone who I think will sabotage me when my back is turned. I have honestly never worked in an environment like this before.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
On 8/25/2020 at 1:04 PM, Duncan6 said:

PRN is an interesting idea. If it weren't for the problematic RN I would definitely consider it. Everyone at the clinic had warned me about this RN trying to cause problems for other staff, but she has never been a problem for me until now. She's been there 12 years, since the clinic opened, and has gone through 3 managers, so it could be the same type of thing where they can't really discipline her like they wish. Basically I thought she was helping me by finishing meds so we could get lunches started. Came back from lunch and meds were gone. She left for the day and didn't say anything. I came back in the next morning and opened a drawer to find the meds I thought she gave. She deliberately moved them and let me think they were given. Things like that-not quite as extreme- have happened to other staff here, but this crosses a line for me. I can't work with someone who I think will sabotage me when my back is turned. I have honestly never worked in an environment like this before.

sorry about that.  There's always 1 that has to be a jerk...

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Specializes in Dialysis, Diabetes Education.

We'll I was offered the coordinator position today.  Better pay, better benefits, a new challenge, and people I trust.  Too many positives to turn it down.  The only downside is 5 days a week, but it helps to have every weekend and all holidays off.

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Congratulations on the new position. I hope you are liking it! 

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Specializes in "Duncan6" Endocrinology and Dialysis.

The new job..hmm....not really liking it.  So.much.paperwork.  Poor training.  A new MD that keeps things in chaos and admin is doing nothing. Way understaffed.  Continual problems with the EHR/phone/download systems. I am beyond frustrated.   On my first day I had 3 different people tell me I had my work cut out for me- and I was told that repeatedly over the next several weeks.  If I would have known what this would turn into I wouldn't have taken the job.

And now my old dialysis clinic has an RN position open.  I think I would jump at it, but I would feel so bad leaving after such a short time with people I genuinely enjoy working with- who have high hopes for improving the office.  All the same problems are still at the dialysis clinic, but I pretty much know what I'm getting into.  Really don't know what to do.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

Do you see a path for improving the workflow? If you have the ability as coordinator to implement changes that will help it would be worth sticking it out for awhile. Imagine the personal and professional satisfaction of making changes that actually improve a chaotic system! 

On the other hand if you have no power to implement changes or your input isn't at least considered seriously nothing is probably going to change no matter how much you complain. 

I understand this leaves you with a difficult decision, hoping it all works out the way you would like.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

I agree with kbrn2002. If you actually have authority and ability to make lasting changes, I'd try to stick it out. If you're going to be hindered at every turn, I'd go back to the clinic. Honestly though, every workplace has issues. I think I'd try to stick it out a little longer and see if you can help change the atmosphere. Let us know what you decide @Eileen Meyers

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Specializes in "Duncan6" Endocrinology and Dialysis.

I am finding that I don't have the authority to do much of anything.  I can make some small changes and I have implemented some measures that have improved things somewhat, but the more systemic issues that are causing big problems are way beyond me, for instance antiquated IT and poor training.  Every place definitely has its issues for sure!  I'm leaning towards going back to the clinic- there's some craziness there,but I'm not the one that has to fix it.

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