Pros
I managed to snag a four-days-a-week position with full benefits (not pro rated like some places) and this is the biggest reason for me to stay (for now). My day is 8 hours (including lunch, again, not like in some places where lunch is considered off the clock) and I rarely stay late or have to come in early. Last but NOT least, I enjoy the familiarity of working with patients I can see twice a week who are in treatment 3-4 hours. It means I can triage everyone's needs and usually have time all I need to do. In a short time, I have expanded my knowledge base and experience re end stage renal disease and that was my goal in coming to work here.
Cons
It is no secret in the DaVita community that dialysis is a world unto its own, e.g., the atmosphere is not always patient friendly. The "difficult" patients are gossiped about and avoided, and the "sweethearts" get carte blanche. Triaging patients' needs can be difficult as well as my clinical judment is rarely considered, I am mostly responding to what the charge RN says I should do "NOW". It gets old. But it is what it is. Just go in with your eyes open.
