Transitioning to med-surg

[nurs2012]

Hi everyone, I graduated in 2012 with my RN and have been working for a little over a year at a chronic dialysis center. For the most part I really do enjoy it. Some pros are the hours, I go in at 530 but am usually out by 330 the latest, they pay me very well for a new nurse and I'm always able to pick up overtime, I also like the people I work with and there is always someone around to help me when needed. The major dilemma I'm having is that I feel like I am loosing a lot of my nursing skills. I have gained confidence in assessment and IV med administration, but for the most part dialysis is very specialized. I have been offered a position at a community hospital on a 48 bed med-surg unit. It's only a 24 hour night position so I will be taking a pay cut and will also have to train myself to be a night person vs the early morning person I have become. I want to make the transition because I think it will benefit me in the long run but I am scared I won't be able to handle a busy acute floor with only 8 weeks of training. I'm still a fairly new nurse and I have never worked in acute care before so I'm a little apprehensive to leave a job I'm comfortable at and go somewhere I'm not, but inside I feel it would be the best career move. Any help/ advice would be greatly appreciated, maybe if there's someone who has transitioned into med-surg from dialysis or another specialty? Thanks!

[susumarie, MSN, NP]

If you move to Med-Surg you will be busy. You do not necessarily have to get a pay cut. You can ask your manager/supervisor for full time hrs; one extra day a week is easy to get and also you will get paid much more for working nights. One more & most important thing to think about is switching to nights because it is not for everyone... but then again if you hate it you can switch in a year to a day position. Go for it!

[sunshyne17]

Does the dialysis job have a per diem position available? You may be able to acclimate to the new job while keeping the comfort (and pay) of the old.

:)

[nurs2012]

SusuMarieRN I agree with you about the night part, when I was a nursing student I did a few night shifts as part of an internship and I did fine however it was short term. Right now my body is used to a 9p-4:30a sleep cycle so it may be a little harder but I think I could stick it out for a year or so. As far as staying at dialysis per diem that's exactly what I wanted to do but they require you to work a min. of 24 hours per week which I would not be able to do with the hospital position on nights and dialysis on days.. I think I am leaning towards accepting the position, I have to let them know by wed. Thank you both for your input :)

[xSoCaLRNx]

i think you will do fine on the med-surg unit. i recommend you quitting your day job with dialysis because of this transitional stage in your career. give your manager the proper notice so as to not burn any bridges. at least, you'll have dialysis experience under your belt. also....you have to make sacrifices (working nights)...but in due time who knows if there will be a day position that becomes available and you can transfer to days :)