outpatient dialysis RN...a good starting job for new grad?

Trauma Columnist · Feb 23, 2009

First, let me say how sorry I am that your Mother from renal failure.

Second...personally, I don't think outpt hemo is a good place for a new grad. Reasons:

1. Its extremely specialized and if you ever want to go back to the hospital, you will have a big learning curve.

2. You need excellent assessment skills at the HDU because its not like you undress these pts and do a head to toe assessment. You need to already know what to look for.

3. Many times in the smaller units, you may be the only RN on shift in a building. It is not a supportive environment for new grads.

4. Since you are dealing with a chronic population - you need to be a strong advocate for both your pt and yourself. You have to be able to get the pt to do what you want (be compliant) while still getting your work done.

Other suggestions: inpt renal/GU unit at a hospital, inpt acute hemodialysis unit.

Good luck - let us know what you decide.

zimm4er · Feb 24, 2009

Dialysis is a real specialty. I worked renal transplant-urology-gi for 10 years before I went to dialysis. It made my assessment skills stellar. Also, helped me learn to formulate plan of cares and what to call a doctor for. I am a firm believer inthat when I call my doc that I know what I want. I am just a firm believer in getting some basic

med surg after school to refine your skills and what you have been taught. just my 2 cents

rninmi · Feb 24, 2009

I would agree with the others.....Dialysis is so specialized...you learn one thing....Dialysis! You will become very proficient at assessment of the dialysis pt....I worked for 10 years in ER/ICU before switching to chronic setting...which I hated, now doing acutes.

I would hope you can get some other experience before going into a speciality. Good luck!

sarenna34 · Mar 4, 2009

HI, I agree with the other posts. I have been in dialysis for ovre 10 years. First as an LPN and then RN. I am fed up with my Rn position at FMC and want to leave, but i feel like that is all i know, and to walk into a hospital to start a job i will be lost. Go and get your hospital med. surgical experience first. I think the path that i took was a mistake.

workingmomRN · Mar 4, 2009

I agree completely with the other posts. If low stress is what you are looking for, dialysis is not it. Also, without a good med-surg or hospital foundation, you can trapped into a specialty that you may find difficult to get out of later. Try the hospital first so you can explore your options. You will meet a lot of other people in other specialties. You may find something that interests you that you may not have even considered before.

masaya · Mar 10, 2009

i prefer newly grads should be exposed first to different cases,say to be having exposure to ER,ward,or other areas

that will serve as your foundation in your carreer.Going to dialysis,we are supposed to know what to do in cases of emergency.Delayed decision making could cause blood clotting while on hemodialysis.Delayed immediate troubleshooting could cause harm to your client.I believed,while we are young in the service,we must take advantage of the learning exposures that we can have.

Thank you.

Midwest4me · Mar 15, 2009

I'm an LPN so have never done med-surg but sure recommend getting some med-surg or critical care hospital experience first. I worked in hemodialysis for 5 years(before leaving for another specialty) and it IS stressful. I did pretty much what the RNs do with a few exceptions due to scope of practice. It's a love it or hate it specialty, fast-paced, very rewarding, very challenging. Same pts 3-4 days a week so you form a bond with them.

kidneyrn · Mar 23, 2009

I don't know if someone has told you the wrong information, but in a dialysis unit you might be the only nurse for 18 patients. You also have unlicensed personal working off your license. In emergent situations you need to act fast and have good critical thinking skills. Dialysis is fun, rewarding and very challenging. I love the field, but if your looking for low stress I don't think it's dialysis.