New RN-can I get into dialysis nursing?

Specialties Urology

Published

Hey all!

I finished my Nursing School this summer and am set to take my Nclex in a few weeks. I have worked for a past few years as a PCT on a specialized transplant step-down unit which is all kidneys, livers, pancreases, spleens and other viscera...I have seen a lot of dialysis and gotten to talk to some of the dialysis nurses on our floor and Ive also developed a lot of bonds with the patients on my floor who are well...definetly frequent fliers!

Anyway, for a while I was unsure what I ultimately want to do as a Nurse...like what speciality... but Id say about a year ago it hit me that I wanted to be into dialysis...

so that gets me to my question. Can one get into dialysis right out of nursing school? I know the preference is atleast a year on med-surg to work on your asessment and critical thinking skills and other important skills...but can one get into dialysis right away? Or really its best to atleast get 1 yr in Med Surg under your belt...

and whats the difference between being a nurse at a outpt dialysis clinic and within a hospital?

Thanks all!

Anna S, RN

452 Posts

At an outpt clinic, it is much busier, much more fast paced. You would be responsible for many pts dialyzing at the same time.

jodhime

6 Posts

I graduated in May and was hired in July at a Dialysis clinic. It is possible! :)

UmmIbrahim

60 Posts

Specializes in Cardiac.

Thank you all for answering! I ended up looking up some of the major dialysis clinics/companies in my area and see most are hiring and through the wording it does sound like they would consider a new RN for a position. I also hashed it out with my husband and while I will continue to apply for hospital based Nursing positions I will also put in a few applications at the dialysis clinics around me which are hiring... we'll see how it hashes out. regardless, I do want to ultimately be in dialysis as I like the patient population and the whole patho and medical aspects of it all and so even if I dont end up in dialysis straight out...I know I can always move into it!

Thanks all!

+ Add a Comment