Relatively new nurse: dialysis or school nursing??

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

I'm needing some opinions from anyone who has worked in either one of these areas. I graduated two years ago, however my experience has only been in the clinic setting with little hands-on. I have been offered a position at a School for children with special needs and have a phone interview with Davita dialysis on Monday. The school does not pay very well, but the hours and benefits are good. I've heard mixed reviews about dialysis. Since I was offered the school job today, I need to give them an answer by early next week. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated :)

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I'd go school in a heartbeat. Holidays, benefits, stability - heck, yeah!

[Debilpn23]

I agree with Sue

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

Thanks for the replies :) I think I will accept the school position. I'm just a bit nervous because of lack of hands-on clinical experience, but since this is a school for children with special needs, it is set up a little differently than public schools. They have a medical clinic on the school campus and I would not be the only nurse; there would be at least 2 or 3 other nurses around so that makes me more comfortable.

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Maybe it is just me...but I am still blown away that any new nurse does not have to do at least a year in Med/surg. I was military nurse and there is no option for new nurses. At least 1 year and usually 2. I am psych now and have been for 7 years..but those two years are invaluable. When it hits the fan you better be able to put in an IV, push meds, draw up meds, understand complicated orders, and learn how to do proper assessments. That stuff will save your a#% when it hits the fan..and trust me..it will.

[beeker]

These days things are a lot different than they used to be new grads take what they can get. That whole year of med surg is nice if you can get it, most of us take what is available.

OP- I worked as a dialysis pct before becoming an RN. While I love dialysis it is a burn out job and we went through a lot of nurses. It pays really well, because they work you to death. I'd go with the school job!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Maybe it is just me...but I am still blown away that any new nurse does not have to do at least a year in Med/surg. I was military nurse and there is no option for new nurses. At least 1 year and usually 2. I am psych now and have been for 7 years..but those two years are invaluable. When it hits the fan you better be able to put in an IV, push meds, draw up meds, understand complicated orders, and learn how to do proper assessments. That stuff will save your a#% when it hits the fan..and trust me..it will.

That's because there are very few opportunities for new grads to go get that year of med-surg in this job market. So their choices are either not work at all and stagnate, or work somewhere and at least gain nursing experience.

Also, all of the rear-saving skills you mention and more CAN be learned in settings outside of med-surg. And learned successfully. So while that year of med-surg is great, it's not necessarily mandatory for success anymore.

OP: go with whichever job appeals to you more. If it were me, I'd pick the school, but I'm not you :) And congratulations!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Maybe it is just me...but I am still blown away that any new nurse does not have to do at least a year in Med/surg. I was military nurse and there is no option for new nurses. At least 1 year and usually 2. I am psych now and have been for 7 years..but those two years are invaluable. When it hits the fan you better be able to put in an IV, push meds, draw up meds, understand complicated orders, and learn how to do proper assessments. That stuff will save your a#% when it hits the fan..and trust me..it will.

I don't understand all of these people who say to get a year of med/surg before doing anything else. Isn't med/surg another specialty, just like ICU is a specialty, ER is a specialty, etc? I knew I wasn't cut out for med/surg before I graduated nursing school. That's the great thing about nursing- there's a type of job out there for pretty much everyone.

OP, just listen to your gut. It already sounds from your post that you're leaning toward the school position. Good luck with whichever you decide!

[windsurfer8, BSN, RN]

Med Surg is tried and true way to build skills. You essentially do everything you do in all other departments. So when people "say" it..it is because it is absolutely the best way to build a good basic knowledge of nursing. There is a reason the Army, Navy, and Air Force require ALL nurses do at least a year of med/surg. Obviously it is not required and you can do what you want...but all those people who "say" it tend to be highly experienced nurses. I understand not everyone does it, but to argue it isn't the best way to build all around skills is a losing argument.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I lasted five weeks on med/surg. Hated it. And I have all of those skills. Learned them in - yup - LTC.

[ijuanabhappy, ASN, RN]

I do have over a year of nursing experience. In the clinic while it was mostly phone triage, I did get to draw up some meds, assess ortho patients, remove staples/sutures, and on occasion give injections. Just like Sue, I did do four weeks of med-surg but it wasn't for me plus my body could not adjust to working nights. The month that I was there, I started all 3 of my IV's successfully, gave many subcutaneous insulin injections, and lovenox, gave a soap-suds enema, po meds, checked doctor's orders.. all of that.. but only for a month.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! I have decided to go with the school job :)

[katyb213]

Congrats to you! That is a great opportunity for you!

I do not understand the mentality of believing you have to have medsurg experience before anything else either. Medsurg is a specialty as much as any other nursing specialty. Some people love it, some people hate it...I think you should go with what you love and you will be happy.