VA vs dialysis

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I'm starting to realize I might be too old to eventually work in the ER but I do enjoy the little of hospital nursing I've been exposed to as an NA (Med Surg). I currently have two offers after months of not even a call back.  One is a temporary, 13 month position, with the VA in their acute respiratoy (likely rule out COVID) clinic.  It is M-F and the compensation is astounding.  The other would be dialysis with Fresenius - outpatient.  I've read the dialysis forum and it seems like it really depends on the clinic as to how the culture (10 vs 12 vs 16-hour days) but Fresenius seems to have better safety and management than what I see online with Da Vita.  I worry about treating dialysis patients as somewhat assembly line/factory like setting (get them on, run them, get them off, clean, get the next one on, wash, rinse, repeat) but it might be a little more varied? Not sure.  Dialysis can't begin to compare with the VA compensation but I'm really in it for the experience, not the $ (I mean, to a point).

My concern with both is my ability to be a marketable candidate for hospital work after a year at either job - I would like to eventually work ER or ICU (maybe) or Cardiac.

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VA employment, with their benefits is priceless. Working a respiratory floor will give you a solid foundation for all nursing skills.

Dialysis is a very narrow field in nephrology, with limited time with patient care.  Cannot see how it would work towards ER and ICU  experience.

Best wishes, whatever you chose.

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thanks. I am still a bit unclear on the "offer".  I accepted an offer today but I honestly don't think I applied for the job I was offered and since it was offered through HR she didn't have much information on it.  I think it might be a clinic, not hospital job. I'm learning about VA benefits though and looking into that.

thanks again!

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