Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

VA vs dialysis

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.

  • Quote

    • Featured Replies

    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.

  • Quote
    • Author

    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!

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Add a Comment
    Go to topic listing

    Currently Reading 0

    • No registered users viewing this page.

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.