New RN at SNF

[rnpediyuh]

Hey y'all, I need a little advice about something. I'm at the pre-employment screening stage for a nearby SNF/post-acute facility. I've been interviewed twice and was already told to wait for an offer letter, but today I was contacted to interview for a dialysis position for a company I've wanted to work with. I don't know how long the dialysis job application process would take, or if I'll even get in, but I am a little more comfortable starting my nursing career in dialysis. Should I (or can I?) hold out on accepting the offer letter for the SNF and try to go through with the dialysis application? Or would it be better to just go with the SNF since it's a little more guaranteed?

[Nia2]

I would go with Dialysis. They provide more training than SNF

[jennsrn]

I agree. I would go with the Dialysis. I am also a (recent) new grad with only 9 months of experience. I currently work in SNF and although in my area, it pays MUCH more than the hospitals, dialysis clinics, and outpatient settings, I kind of regret not going a different route, especially for my first job. You will get some experience in SNF though. I've had patients with trachs, colostomies, urinary catheters, wound vacs, IVs, wounds, among many other things, but many people say once you take a position in LTC/SNF, it's harder to get away from it if you were to choose to move on. I was also looking into dialysis, it's a great specialty to learn I think. You can work in outpatient clinics, or even go work on a dialysis unit in the hospital. Especially if they are looking to provide extensive training, I would go that route. I don't know your area, but in my area, Davita and Frensenius hire new grads without experience. In fact one of my friends who I graduated nursing school with started in a dialysis clinic about a few months ago, and so far she loves it. But also, many people say you kind of get "pigeon-holed" into the dialysis speciality and limits your nursing opportunities in the future. Maybe start there, and try to get a per diem in the hospital so you can keep up with your med-surg skills? If you don't like it, just move on! Good luck.

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Until you have an actual offer, you don't have a job. Therefore take every interview you are offered, whether you think you will want it or not, and find out more information. An interview is just that. Not a commitment. Just a chance for each of you to find out if you are interested in a working relationship.

Once you are in dialysis it is very, VERY difficult to ever get to transfer out of it into another specialty If you choose that, you need to go in with your eyes open to that fact.