Nephrology specialty

[abva17, MSN, NP]

Hello,

I am a Family Nurse Practitioner who has been in primary care for three years. I am considering applying for a position with a nephrology practice. For those of you who have experience in this specialty, what do you like and/or dislike about your job? Do you have a good work/life balance? Is it hard to transition from primary care into nephrology?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Apologize that I didn't see this sooner. I've been a nephrology APRN for 19 years.

Likes: flexibility, stability, pay, hours, ability to establish long term relationships

Dislikes: hours - some days are long if you have to travel a lot. For me that is the only downside. 

My job encompasses seeing dialysis patients weekly. There must be 4 total visits per month for each pt. One visit is usually done by MD and APRN does the other 3 visits. I work for a very large 31 physician, 14 APRN practice in central IL. I care for pts in three different dialysis units: 2 are 10 miles from my house and the third (the largest) is 77 miles from my house. Dialysis pts either dialyze MWF or TTS so I have to go to each unit twice/week. I can do two of the units in one day so that involves 4 days of my week. I also see CKD and other nephrology pts in office twice/month. 

I hope this helps