I have been trying to get advice from everyone I know about this issue. I have graduated and am now a licensed RN with 2 job offerings; ICU or Acute Dialysis. First off a little about me. I have been a Dialysis Tech for over 7 years in both chronic and acute settings and I love everything about Dialysis. Furthermore all of the clinical and preceptorship i have done were in the ICU and i love the work and environment of the ICU. I feel like I will fit in most nursing departments I just do not know what I should do for some reason. Everyone says experience is a must and I like the ICU, but i am very comfortable in Dialysis since that is my background, I know everyone in the field working with them for so long, but going from a tech to an RN, I really fear I will not learn anything new since I practically do so much already.
I know the ICU or any other nursing department would be completely different since Dialysis nursing really is specialized. A lot of nurses say, don't leave a specialized area its hard to get back into and its a good job for the on call and salary. But being a new grad other nurses say "you need floor experience so you can be well rounded and not have to rely on your team for guidance"
Thank you all for your comments! haha The decision is defiantly going towards Dialysis. I appreciate your support so much. It was really hard just getting through nursing school I never thought it would be so hard to pick the right job opportunity as well! I can't thank you guys enough for your help for this FNG!
ICU, you would be crazy to do otherwise. If you have been a tech for years dialysis will always be there for you. You can always come home to nephrology.
im an icu nurse and now adding dialysis job in in-centre, meaning i have 3 chairs.
im glad i did icu first i think because you just learn so, so many skills and to me, hd makes a lot more sense and i understand the patients better...but learning an icu environment is a big committment--lots of years to really "get good" ..imho at least 4-5 years regularly in that area--i do prisma (ccrt), HFO, still never felt confident with swans as i'm not in cvicu. but you get lots of skills, and i think (i hope!!) it will make me a better dialysis nurse. my prob is i never was very good at putting iv's in, i hope that doesnt' work against me as an HD nurse...figure i can get those huge grafts/fistulas, but its hard to say...guess i'll see when i start.
you could always start in icu/tele and get dialysis certificate on your own time and that will give you a lot of exposure especially when you have to do your HD clinical placement...and then you could see if its really for you. cuz not everyone can cope with dialysis patient personality and you have to see these people 3x/week, so have to be the right type of personality for the job for longevity...for myself, i guess time will tell if i have that personality...if not, icu is always there for me.
Most places want a year of acute care experience prior to working in a dialysis unit. I would think they would especially want that if working in acute dialysis.
Dialysis is a very specialized area, people have multiple comorbidities and can crash in a matter of seconds.
If I was the OP I would opt for at least a year of ICU/tele/med surg experience prior to taking a job in dialysis. The assessment skills you learn will be invaluable. I would hate to see anyone set themselves up for failure.
NokturnalMike
9 Posts
Thank you all for your comments! haha The decision is defiantly going towards Dialysis. I appreciate your support so much. It was really hard just getting through nursing school I never thought it would be so hard to pick the right job opportunity as well! I can't thank you guys enough for your help for this FNG!
-Mike