New Grad Dialysis or hold out for acute care job?

[kujomonster]

Hello everyone,

Here is my dilemma. I graduated in May with a BSN, passed NCLEX, still looking to land my first job as many other new grads are. My goal is to work in acute care, preferably on a med-surg or tele floor. I have put out 100s of applications, only 1 hospital called me back, 2 interviews later and no luck yet. However, this past week I was offered an interview with Fresenius, the dialysis clinic. I thought this might be a good job for me to have while I continue to apply to hospital positions. Then I started researching the company, as well as dialysis nurses, and now Im not sure.

1. Fresenius has a lot of bad reviews from former and current nurses. Mainly that they only care about money, and their benefits arent so great, and you will never get a raise working there.

2. Then I started hearing that working dialysis isn't a good move since it is so specialized that it will be even harder for me to land a job in acute care down the road.

3. Last, this is a job where I would hopefully only work for a few months before I HOPEFULLY found a job in acute care. I have heard from some recruiters that working somewhere for this short amount of time is not good, however I do not want to work as a dialysis nurse long term as this is not my passion whatsoever.

Any advice from recruiters, experienced nurses, anyone I would appreciate their input. Im at a loss of what to do. I dont want to hurt my chances of one day working on a med-surg/tele floor.

[rmtocc]

well Im not an experienced nurse or a recruiter, so take this advice with a grain fo salt. I would think that any medical experience is better than no medical experience. This place has only offered you an interview, and that in no way commits you to working there (that is if they offer you a position). Go and ask questions about the company and decide if you'd be willing to work there for 6-12 months. I get that it might not look great to be at a job short term, but hospitals also understand that you may need to work SOMEWHERE until you get the job you want/ in your field.

I keep hearing that new grads from my school are taking jobs in ECFs (often for less than a year) until they get into the hospital they want.

Also, perhaps volunteering at the hospital of your choice might give you an edge in getting in there instead of just waiting on your apps to process....just a thought

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I agree: any experience is better than no experience, and nothing says that you can't pursue hospital jobs while working in dialysis. It may be a good way for you to network and make connections. Also, you don't want to risk becoming an old new grad because then it's even harder to find something.

As far as limiting yourself...IMO you're only limited if you let yourself be.

[caliotter3]

There are people who are so fed up with being unemployed that they would welcome a job offer from this firm. Worry about whether or not you want a job with them when they offer you the job. Or if it is now a definite no, then prepare your "I'm sorry but" speech or letter. Either way, someone else will be happy to work for them.

[Biffbradford]

"A" job is better than no job. I assume this is in a chronic dialysis setting in which case you will probably be running four patients on dialysis yourself, plus have to do pre and post dialysis assessments (plus charting) on 10 more in addition to checking the charting done on the techs. The patients are relatively stable but you may have to talk with the doc once in a while for this or that. Technically, it's a world away from any acute hospital setting where you'd have 3 or 4 patients (on or off telemetry) but would be doing all their wound care, meds, orders, admitting, discharging, etc. etc.

Go to the interview with an open mind and see how it goes.