New Grad- Choices - Med/Surg, Renal dialysis or PDN

[priyaremi]

Hello, just looking for some thoughts/advice please. I am currently awaiting my registration certificate but am on the Irish register as of this morning.

Whilst waiting for my license, I applied for a variety of jobs as is normal for new grads. I have received offers for staff nurse on med/surge, PDN working with one patient on a vent/trach/peg tube and agency working.

Yesterday, I interviewed with Fresenius in Ireland and I really loved the place and the training support they are offering. I was only home 30 mins and they called and offered me the job. There is eight weeks training and after that time, I will still have a preceptor until I can manage four patients alone. There are 22 stations. I found it very interesting and love the renal side of things. No Sundays and no nights.

The hospital offered me the same money but no training/precepting/orientation and no patient:nurse ratio eg could have 8-10 patients and sounds as if I am thrown to the wolves. They could not answer my question regarding any training whatsoever. I am inclined not to accept this as the local city hospital is like a war zone and has the reputation as such.

Finally, community pdn. One patient but I feel as though it would be difficult dealing with one patient and family dynamics etc. The money is this setting is much higher than either hospital/dialysis chronic outpatient clinic. 13.50 per hour in hospital/dialysis and 23 euro per hour in Community.

The fact that I would have every Sunday off in dialysis and no nights means that I can pick up an agency shifts to supplement my income. I am more interested in support and training as a new grad rather than money. That will come down the line.

Fresenius seems to offer the best training and support and I am inclined to accept their offer. I had hoped to train in midwifery specialising in gestational diabetes in the next few years but this could really be a solid career.

Please, I would appreciate anyone's comments/advice regarding starting as a new grad in Chronic outpatient dialysis!!. Thank you in advance. Claire

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Sounds like dialysis is your best offer. Congrats!

[AJJKRN]

Yep, from reading your post it sounds like your leading more towards the dialysis job! Best of luck!

[priyaremi]

Thank you so much for your replies. I declined the hospital but they said that they will put my file on hold and if my circumstances change, to contact them in April. I have started filling my forms to start my new job in dialysis. Thank you for your advice and feedback. x

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much for your replies. I declined the hospital but they said that they will put my file on hold and if my circumstances change, to contact them in April. I have started filling my forms to start my new job in dialysis. Thank you for your advice and feedback. x

Good luck to you!

[priyaremi]

Good luck to you!

Can I just say that I find this forum a fantastic support!!. I am always reluctant to say what Country I am in for fear that the mods will shift the post and the other forums are not nearly as active as this one eg Nursing worldwide. There are so many similarities regarding training, practice etc between different Countries. However, I understand that lack of a nurse/patient ratio legislation may be a European thing alone lol!!. Anyway, thank you guys for taking the time to reply. I absolutely love allnurses and come here from my binge every day at some stage!!!. I am officially addicted!

[Kitiger, RN]

I have worked home nursing for more than 30 years, and I love it. However, I would always want a new grad to start out in a hospital, with as broad a range of patients as possible. Normally I would say Med-Surg, but it sounds like you will have better support and still learn a lot on the renal unit.

[priyaremi]

I have worked home nursing for more than 30 years, and I love it. However, I would always want a new grad to start out in a hospital, with as broad a range of patients as possible. Normally I would say Med-Surg, but it sounds like you will have better support and still learn a lot on the renal unit.

Thanks kitiger for taking the time to reply. I have the two contracts and I am still a bit confused. Fresnius has no Sundays or nights and extensive training. Hospital pays the same money but obviously nights and weekends involved and high patient to nurse ratio!. However, the only thing is if I work for a while in med surg, my options are limitless. However, I'm a 40 year old new grad and am scared if I could hack it for long with the conditions in our hospitals!!!. Help!