New grad Dialysis RN, or keep applying for acute care/subacute care jobs?

Published

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

2. 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 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. And I dont want to take a job that I dont plan to work at long term if it will be difficult to leave after a few months.

ALSO, if anyone has any experience interviewing with Fresenius I would also appreciate any advice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know what state you are in but I will tell you my interview with FMC...I had not worked dialysis before so I was completely ignorant as to what to ask....that being said...I interviewed for a position that was to be M-F basically 8-5 working with home PD patients. I had a little experience w/PD. The starting rate because I didn't have experience in dialysis was $27.00/hr plus benefits. What I was NOT told until AFTER I accepted the position and started was the training was going to be in 4 different places (one out of state 2 hours one way, the others an hour and 1/2 one way) plus a few trips to another facility for some classes another 2 hours one way. Mileage was suppose to be reimbursed..however, I have still not received the mileage from the one trip I took out of state. The training in different facilities, having to drive 2 hours to watch the corporate videos was ridiculous. There is a LOT of time/travel at the beginning. I did not know this. For me personally, driving hours then working then driving hours back is not something I am interested in doing - not even short term. I was honest and resigned after week. A few weeks later the hiring manager called me and asked me if I would return. I was told NO travel would be involved except one a year I "may" have to go to the corporate office for a few days of training. Again, I went over w/him why I had left so soon etc. "Not to worry" - so I agreed to return. This was a Wed. with a return to be the following Monday. On Friday (3 days before I was to return) he leaves me a message telling me I needed to be in another state for the first 3 weeks then I would be at my "home" clinic, then sent to the other 2 clinics with my state for the next "3-4 weeks", for me to keep up w/the mileage (I never got the mileage from my first go round). I listened to his message twice to make sure I was not misunderstanding him. I tried to reach him by phone and email - wasn't successful so I sent him another email telling him "thanks but no thanks" - maybe for some going out of town or traveling to get trained is exciting..for me, it makes no sense and adds additional stress. As far as the clinics - in house dialysis - I can't comment on because I didn't work it but most nurses on here seem to complain about extremely long hours (12-16/day). The care seemed to be good and I've heard the training is excellent...I am just not one who is going to devote her life to a job. I don't mind doing my part, working over, etc. but not like it seems to be expected with them. If you need a job, a paycheck, any experience is better than none. Nothing says you have to stay once another offer comes through. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Dialysis (acute & chronic).

If dialysis is not your passion, then don't waste the companies time and money for training if you plan on leaving the position in a few months.

It is very costly to hire and train a new employee, only to have them leave in a short period of time. And this does not look good on a resume.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ask how many "shifts" of patients per day and ask how many hours PER DAY you will be working. Ask how many per week. If there are 2 "shifts" of patients you will be working 10-12 hours per day, 3 shifts of patients per day can run you very long unless they have 2 RNS. Ask how many chairs in the clinic and what the ratio is of nurse/patient/pct. Dialysis patients have to make a huge adjustment, they spend 3 days a week in the clinic and they have to change their diet and everything. They go through a lot of psych issues adjusting. They can easily get depressed. The staff tries to keep upbeat and positive mood so that the patients can enjoy the time they have to spend.

Pros-

I really like the patients a lot and you get to know then and their families well. You know their normals and when they look or seem off.

I enjoy the routine of the day

No Sundays, and closed Christmas & Thanksgiving

Nephrology is very interesting and there is a lot to learn

the training is excellent

Cons

I was hired for three 10 hour shifts, I am currently working three 14-16 hour shifts and it is KILLING ME

I was told I would be reimbursed 52 cents per mile for training, AFTER driving 2 hours back & forth for 3 months whn I went to claim the mileage I was told the policy had changed and it was 10 bucks per day round trip. Should have been about 25 bucks per day.

I am certain that both of the things that were told to me incorrectly were on purpose. They know no one in their right mind will agree to 16 hour shifts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for all your input. Dialysis nursing is definitely not where I saw myself, however I will go to the interview with an open mind and see how it is. I was hoping this would be a job where I could work, while still applying to hospitals where I want to work however it seems like this job requires a lot of training/orientation, and would be difficult to leave after a few months. And I definitely do not want to have to travel far in order to receive training. While I dont want to work at a SNF I think that may be a better option at this point in order to gain some badly needed RN experience. However I have not heard back form the numerous SNF I have applied to either... Being a new grad sucks!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology.
If dialysis is not your passion, then don't waste the companies time and money for training if you plan on leaving the position in a few months.

It is very costly to hire and train a new employee, only to have them leave in a short period of time. And this does not look good on a resume.

I totally agree with this post. I have been in dialysis many years and I know that if it is not what you want to do, you will not be happy there. Training is very intensive, and as PP said, very costly. Not only will it not look good on a resume, but you will probably not even be done with training in a few months since you have to learn the job of a PCT first.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do! Just make sure what you choose is what you really want!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You guys work for great companies. My first job as a nurse was in dialysis, I was so happy about it but the nurse that was training me was horrible. I did not learn as a PCT first, I was told dont worry about the machines etc: it was terrible. I left after a couple weeks, landed my dream job interview the following week amd got hired. Now Im working at a hospital. I will never tell someone in this economy to not take a job, if you need the money and experience, and if you think you can do the job for awhile than go for it and continue to look for your hospital position. At least you might work for a company that actually train you unlike mine. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello. As a new grad I was recently employed by FMS. And I must say I'm glad I took the position. I trained as a PCT and as a nurse with no dialysis experience and enjoyed ever bit of training that I received. Now every job has its perks. Of course they tell you one thing at your interview then once you get on the floor, its a whole different story. But I have just decided to accept that. Of course this isn't my dream job but I must say that I am continuously learning on the floor. I love the patients and the environment (well sometimes). I love the pay as a grad nurse also. Not too shabby. If I was you, I would go for it. And if its not for you, leave. Good luck. :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The training is costly, and turn over in staff is highly stressful on the patients. The company has great benefits and the patients need loving care. The hours are longer than long, pulled frequently to cover shortage in staffing, and short staffing is a huge issue. I am sure that issue is not only in this company. Best wishes to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion