Specialized, but want to move on to something new?

[sapadgett]

Afternoon all,

I am an RN of 5 years now. I went into dialysis after nursing school and have been trucking along with the last 3 years as a clinical nurse manager at an outpatient dialysis clinic.

I have always loved it, but now I have found that I want to try something new. Although, I am not 100% what that something new is? I have a heart for children and would love to work with them, so maybe something in pediatrics?

Anyway, what can I do to "refresh" some nursing skills that I may not have used in a while? Do nursing refresher courses exist? What can I do to make myself more marketable? Certifications?

I feel as though I am a fast learner and a competent and compassionate nurse, but I am finding that no one wants to give you a chance in any other areas of nursing once they see you have limited experience. How can I ever try anything new??

Thanks!

[Nurse SMS, MSN, RN]

Nursing refresher courses do exist. Take a look at some of your local community colleges and look at the website for your state's BON, some of which list them I think.

Dialysis is indeed a very difficult specialty to get out of. It sounds like you recognize that and are prepared to do things to make yourself more marketable. That's a good place to start.

[EmiBlossom, ASN, RN]

I don't think a nurse refresher course is warranted because you are still employed and have not been out of the job for a year or so.

As far as skills goes, that is something you will learn on the job and given time. it normally takes any nurses 1 year to acclimatize to a new working environment. your basic skills will always be there, it's just a matter of using and repeating it in practice.

there's a lot of nursing youtube videos out there which are very useful to watch and refresh. i find it useful

[sapadgett]

9 minutes ago, Nurse SMS said:

Nursing refresher courses do exist. Take a look at some of your local community colleges and look at the website for your state's BON, some of which list them I think.

Dialysis is indeed a very difficult specialty to get out of. It sounds like you recognize that and are prepared to do things to make yourself more marketable. That's a good place to start.

Thank you! I will look into both.

8 minutes ago, EmiBlossom said:

I don't think a nurse refresher course is warranted because you are still employed and have not been out of the job for a year or so.

As far as skills goes, that is something you will learn on the job and given time. it normally takes any nurses 1 year to acclimatize to a new working environment. your basic skills will always be there, it's just a matter of using and repeating it in practice.

there's a lot of nursing youtube videos out there which are very useful to watch and refresh. i find it useful

Thank you. I have no doubt that I can pick skills back up quickly and learn something new, it is just getting someone to give me that chance you know. You tube is a good idea. Thanks!