Wise nurses please give me advice, from med surg to dialysis

[Mrs.B-]

Hi everyone.

I am new to this site and have really liked reading all you have to say, I am new to nursing, I have worked on med-surg for one year and I love it~most days, I consider myself lucky because the nurses I work with are really good at their jobs and I love learning from them. My only c/o is that I really really stink at working night shift, I will get about 2 hours of sleep on the days between shifts, and I do take all the precautions, such as dark and cool room to rest in. A few moths a go i floated to dialysis for a couple days to help out when a nearby town with a dialysis unit had a big storm and lost its water supply, so all those patients were shipped to our town on bus so they could get their treatment, I did not do any "real" dialysis stuff, i just took health info, did vitals, cleaned and that sort of thing. I love floating to different units, I also float to OB, ICU and our Psyc dept. I am in love with nursing so far, I know it will take time but eventually I want to be able to work anywhere. A full time position opened up in dialysis, the director asked me if I would be interested and long story short I took the position, though I have not started yet. The hours are 0600 to 1800 on three days per week, I have to be honest and tell you that not working nights is a huge part of my choice because the night shift has really started to effect my personal life in many ways Ill spare details, lets just say I am not a night person. When I did float to dialysis to help out, I guess the staff liked me (not trying to sound like I think I am special, I just want to tell you all how it happened because a couple of the dialysis floor nurses asked me if I would be interested in the job) and I do remember mentioning that the unit would be an interesting place to work.

Many of my med-surg coworkers think I am crazy for doing this and they tell me so all the time, I do not want to loose my skills that I learned on medsurg and I do plan on picking up shifts on medsurg to stay current. This was a big decision that I did not take lightly but I am afraid I am to new to nursing to be packing up and going to a specialized unit, I still get nervous to start ivs. If anyone has any input on my situation I would love to listen. Thanks, And if this post is difficult to follow I am sorry, I have a difficult time putting my thoughts into a logical story.

[Chisca, RN]

I know how you feel about nights as I am not a night person either. I'm glad some are. I would ask about call because most dialysis positions involve some call. You might not sleep very well with the threat of a pager going off. If they are willing to train you and give you the time ( at least 3 months orientation) to learn why not give it a try? You really have nothing to lose. Nurses don't lose skills of assessment if they continue to practice. You may forget the combination to the med room door but dialysis patients will still require the skills you used on the med surg floor. Your co workers just don't want you to leave. And if you don't like dialysis you can always go back.

[Slowracer]

Agree! Get in a job where they already like you and you will be a normal person again, with normal hours.

[serenidad2004]

I went to dialysis a year and a half ago after almost 9yrs SNF/LTC. I haven't lost any skills if anything I've gained them and have been able to draw on the experience I had.

I felt like a new grad all over again, it is A LOT to learn and I have just started to get comfortable in the last 6-8 months. I wouldn't change my decision to change specialties in a million years.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[Mrs.B]

THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENTS

I Appreciate all your advice I am going to take tho position and give it my best shot. It is really great to be able to bounce questions off people who are not bias one way or another. I am looking forward to having a normal sleep schedule too.

THANKS AGAIN