New Grad Dialysis Need Advice.

lunden · Sep 19, 2008

hi, i work as a tech in a dialysis unit for davita. most units will hire new graduates and you would probably be trained by a experienced technician to learn how to set up machines and breakdown and learn how to put pt's on so pt's can receive dialysis, after that you will train with a nurse . check around, hope this helps.

diabo, RN · Sep 20, 2008

Congratulations on your new RN status. I would strongly suggest a year or so in a med surg unit before transitioning to dialysis. It's by no means mandatory, and I know some great dialysis nurses that have only done dialysis, but for me, I was glad to have been able to learn many of the other aspects of nursing and assessment skills before I entered the renal field. I wouldn't advise working as a tech. You are too valuable for that. :up:

uscstu4lfe · Sep 20, 2008

Why on earth would you work as a tech when you're an RN? They hire and train new grad RNs.

soulofme · Sep 21, 2008

Hello,
Recently, i got my rn license but still have 3 full semesters left until I graduate. Most of my classmates have found jobs. However because of the shortage of opportunities currently existing in the bay area for new grads, most of them are working in the units and facility they prefer not to be in.

Im lost here...how does one get a RN license and still have 3 semesters left...??? Also, dont work as a tech...you'll be one in most HD places any way.... :confused:

Trauma Columnist · Sep 21, 2008

That was what I was questioning??? You have an RN license but still have three semesters left??? Hunh??

The next paragraph pertains only to chronic outpt hemodialysis patients:

At any rate, I expect to get flamed for this, but its just my own personal opinion: dialysis isnt' the place for new grads because it doesn't offer the opportunity to perfect time management skills, assessment or triage skills. It is strictly a routine, repetitive job.

I think if you start out as an dialysis RN, you will soon be pigeon-holed in that job and won't have the opportunity to learn nursing.

lunden · Sep 21, 2008

sadly, i agree. i have been doing dialysis for for 14 years and i have to say with the occasional times of having to give cpr while waiting for the paramedics to arrive are far and between. the nurses give assessments take Dr.'s orders and pass meds. i am waiting on acceptance letter for spring 09 and had considered being a dialysis nurse but since joining this forum it seems i would not be using all my nursing skills and should consider med surg first or even icu. what do you guys think:wink2:

Trauma Columnist · Sep 21, 2008

Med-surg and ICU are both good choices. After a couple of years exp, then if you want to do dialysis, you will have your nursing skills down pat. Good luck in school.

AshramRN · Oct 7, 2008

I have 3 semesters left after receiving the license because it is a graduate program. There are total of 7 or 8 semesters depending on how it is planned out and nclex is taken after the 5th semester. then students have the option to take time off from school or finish the rest of the program or go to school part time and finish the program within 5 years.

Aquamarine · Oct 17, 2008

Hello,
I seriously want to become a dialysis nurse in the bay area. I am thinking about starting out as a tech since they will not hire anyone without dialysis experience. I also prefer to learn all the aspects of the dialysis clinic and would not mind starting out as a tech even with a rn license. Will they hire a rn as a tech?
Recently, i got my rn license but still have 3 full semesters left until I graduate. Most of my classmates have found jobs. However because of the shortage of opportunities currently existing in the bay area for new grads, most of them are working in the units and facility they prefer not to be in.
I am thinking, even if I start out in med surg, I will still have to find an opportunity down the road for someone to train me in order for me to transition into career in dialysis.
I would greatly appreciate anyone's input on this.
Thanks.

I think two years in med surge never did anyone any harm and will get you in many many doors. Going straight to dialysis is limiting, although a good second experience. If you are totally sure you never want anything else, then working as a tech would be a way to get some insight. Most all companies now nationwide are requiring techs to get certified by the beginning of 2010. There are college courses for that so you can get ahead of the crowd and take such a curriculum. I work in dialysis as a second experience, I do like it but I am at the end of my career. If you are in the beginning I would highly recomment hospital experience as you never know where you want to go in the future, where you will move to, what the health trends will offer...that two years will open so many doors. Dialysis is limited in that way but a nice job I think.

lunden · Oct 17, 2008

thanks for the helpful info. i just became certified in dialysis 6 months ago although i have been a tech for 14 years. i am currently waiting on acceptance letter for spring 09. at first i was going to do my job's scholarship, where they pay for you to attend school, then upon graduating you would be guaranteed a job as a dialysis tech. but after finding this post i'm hearing the way to go would be to work out of a hospital like med-surg. i will admit i'm tired of the same daily routine and was happy lately to find i was put in another section, which was a nice change of pace. it is a career job but now i would like something diff. it seems the nurses just pass meds and do paper work so i def. do not want to just do that upon graduating. it almost seems like hardly no skills are being used other than passing meds, occasional flu and tb shots for employees and very rarely having a pt code where cpr is issued. sorry didn't mean to have a long post.

Aquamarine · Oct 17, 2008

thanks for the helpful info. i just became certified in dialysis 6 months ago although i have been a tech for 14 years. i am currently waiting on acceptance letter for spring 09. at first i was going to do my job's scholarship, where they pay for you to attend school, then upon graduating you would be guaranteed a job as a dialysis tech. but after finding this post i'm hearing the way to go would be to work out of a hospital like med-surg. i will admit i'm tired of the same daily routine and was happy lately to find i was put in another section, which was a nice change of pace. it is a career job but now i would like something diff. it seems the nurses just pass meds and do paper work so i def. do not want to just do that upon graduating. it almost seems like hardly no skills are being used other than passing meds, occasional flu and tb shots for employees and very rarely having a pt code where cpr is issued. sorry didn't mean to have a long post.

Oh, so now I understand and thought about that after I posted. If you have a tech license then go for that and demand more $$ per hour because with Davita there is 18 months from today for them to get thier license or certificate and you are ahead of the game. Only one of our techs has a certificate from the opposing coast of the US. So you are in a good position.

I have similar feeling that you do. I quit the hospital because if passing meds and charting is "nursing" then I am not in the game. Of course caring is always appreciated. I feel in dialysis, those people at least "need" thier meds and so I have no problem with that. We also pass few meds. So actually our expertise is in sticking them, doing cath care and that is more acceptable to me.

Read "our daily meds" a fairly new book. You will not like passing meds even more.

I worked in telemetry hated it, and went to rehab. In Rehab you passed meds even before they felt pain. Handfulls. What are we doing???? I also work for a MD, do you know how many people all ages, all walks of life are addicted? or have terrible side effects from the meds we push in the hospital. Read the book.

I am older, at the last 5-8 yrs of nursing, so I am in a different place. I can't pass those meds, just can't do it, it is against my morals and integrity. What I do for my $$$ matters.

I feel in dialysis you can make a difference, it is more about care than meds and notes.

I am sorry to counter my first statement. I do think that med surg still opens doors, for travel nursing you need two years, etc. But I was bothered by the med thing.

So then, you obviously care, have a heart, have integrity...so whatever you decide you will be good at.

take care...good luck. The answer will just come to you, you will know your decision is a good one based on your own beliefs.