ER vs. Dialysis (New Grad)

I would like to start off by saying that I graduated in January of this year. I am a RN ADN. The job world of nursing has been really difficult. I landed my first job in a nursing home... it was horrible... I lucked up with a dialysis job and I am recently out of training. For some reason.. I was called in for an interview at a hospital that I had applied to a while ago and the position was for the ER. I went to the interview and shortly after I emailed the lady and told her I wasn't interested due to my recent committment with my current job. I received an email back that said ok best of luck to me. A couple weeks later the HR department calls me and offers me the job (anyway) and I took it. I did my physical and paperwork today and I tried to resign from my job but I feel so bad because it was really nice for the lady to hire me with no experience in dialysis. What should I do... an ER position will take me much further than anything......its hard to get into the hospital and I don't plan on working in dialysis in the future at all.
You have to do what you have to do. If your heart is in the ER then that's where you should be. Its a tough economy to break into your dream specialty!

As a former dialysis nurse I have to say that I don't think dialysis is a good choice for a new grad, for various reasons (this topic is discussed a lot on the dialysis specialty forum on this site).However, I also think that ER might be very challenging for a new grad. Will you get adequate training/orientation? If so, go for it and best of luck to you!DeLana

I'd go for the ER, but leave your current job the right way. Put in your two weeks notice and talk to the woman who hired you, I mean really talk to her, don't just say what you think the right thing to say is. Thank her for the opportunity and apologize for leaving so shortly after accepting the position, but let her know that the ER job is your dream job and you will be happier in that position.

ER. ER will give you fantastic assessment skills, the ability to think quickly on your feet and after a few years in an ER, you can then return to dialysis if this is your calling. And...you will be happy you had a few years of experience first.

As an ER nurse, I say go for the ER... if you get a proper orientation. You'll see and do everything!

Don't feel bad about quitting your current job -- if your current employer's needs were to change and they needed to lay people off, you can bet that they would lay you off in a heart beat. You have as much right to end your working relationship with them as they do. As someone else said, do it right and be sure to give them a 2 week notice, and if you think you might be interested in working for them again in the future, let them know that too. Then move on to your new job and be the best ER nurse you can be!Good luck!

I really appreciate the insight. Its always good to talk nurse to nurse. I feel the exact same way. ER will get me much further than dialysis.... i am taking the ER job, thanku.

I know that everyone gave me some good advice. I find myself in quite a situation because I am young and easily persuaded. I had made up my mind to do the ER job. My boss called me and she really takes things personal. She makes me feel guilty because she took a chance with me as a new grad. I should probably factor in the fact that the hospital i got hired at for the ER position is not the best hospital. Its in a poor neighborhood and is really noticed as a bad hospital. I know that a more experienced nurse would not take the position but I feel like because I am a new grad, it would probably still be a good opportunity no matter what kind of hospital it is. Please someone help me. If this was a good hospital, there would be no question in my mind of what to do,but this is the main issue for me. Does it matter if its a good hospital or not. Should I just chance it with dialysis until a better opportunity as far as a better hospital opens up? HELP!!!!!

If I decline the ER position, will there be a good chance I could into a ER in the future just by being a dialysis nurse with at least 1 year of experience?

I went from non-acute to acute but it took a while and I really had to sell myself. I think timing also made a difference. After a year and a half as an RN I was still considered to be sort of a new grad. I think you should take the E.R job. It will be easier to get hired into a dialysis position later on than the other way around. Quote from ToyaRN11If I decline the ER position, will there be a good chance I could into a ER in the future just by being a dialysis nurse with at least 1 year of experience?

Quote from Lovely_RNI went from non-acute to acute but it took a while and I really had to sell myself. I think timing also made a difference. After a year and a half as an RN I was still considered to be sort of a new grad. I think you should take the E.R job. It will be easier to get hired into a dialysis position later on than the other way around.

Not being the best hospital usually indicates under staffing, lack of supplies, poor management etc...it's likely going to be a stressful environment to work in. That said I would still take the E.R job because your learning experienced will be varied and you can transfer to just about any unit after a while. You wrote in your first post that you already know you don't want to do dialysis long term, you want an acute care job, and it has been hard to find a position. If you already know all of that then why side track yourself for a few years doing something that you don't really want to do? Your boss seems manipulative to me...I would be wary of her. I don't like when an employer tries to lay a guilt trip on me. Yes, it's great that she gave you a chance and hired you but the day you aren't needed you will be let go. This is working relationship not a personal one. You have to do what is going to be the most beneficial for your career. Every boss is nice when they hire you for all you know the dialysis job might not turn out that great and then you will kick yourself for passing up the E.R job. I can't say it any clearer....take the E.R job. Quote from ToyaRN11ok, and even though its not the best hospital.. is that ok?