How to Change Specialties
by Donna Cardillo, RN, MA Dear Donna,
My question is concerning dialysis training. I am a nurse who has been working in the ED for several years. I am
now interested in getting a position at a dialysis center that is very close to my home. How can I get training
so that I can work at a dialysis center? Do I need certification before I apply for a job?
Looking for Training
Dear Looking for Training,
Most dialysis facilities have training programs for nurses new to the specialty. Contact the facility you wish
to work for, express your interest in working there, and inquire about training. You do not need to get training
or certification on your own before working in this specialty. Always talk to a prospective employer to see what
is offered before pursuing independent training.
In the meantime, contact your state chapter of the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association
(www.annanurse.org) for additional information and
resources. Once you land a position in dialysis (or any other specialty), you should join and get active in
the related professional association. It will increase your learning curve, give you a sense of belonging in
your new specialty, and support your ongoing professional and personal growth and development.
Good luck!
Donna
Dear Donna,
I am currently an OB nurse. I have been offered a school nurse position. I am not sure if I should accept this
position. Is there a future in school nursing? Are there advancement opportunities? Some friends refer to school
nursing as a “dead-end job.” Is that true?
Seeking a Change
Dear Seeking a Change,
School nursing is hardly a dead-end job. Are the people who are giving you advice currently working in school
nursing? If not, then they are not in
the know. Be careful who you take advice from.
School nursing falls under the larger umbrella of ambulatory care/community health, which is a hot and growing field.
In addition to that, school nursing is a fast-paced, challenging, and complex specialty to work in these days. Much
has changed in the last 30 years.
Many school nurses, in addition to their traditional caregiving duties, do health education and promotion for
students, parents, staff, and the community. They also conduct research, manage emergency and disaster preparedness,
provide care and case management for children with chronic illness, and so much more. Visit the website of the
National Association of School Nurses at www.nasn.org for more
information.
Do some informational interviewing with officers of this association as well as other school nurses in your area.
You can even get out to some local chapter meetings of NASN as a guest. When there’s something you’re considering
doing, it makes sense to rub elbows with those already doing that thing. You might want to shadow a school nurse
for a day to get a real feel for the work.
If you’re looking for advancement opportunities, some nurses do move into management within a district or state,
become educators within this specialty, or go on to consult.
Get the facts, and then go with your gut, follow your heart, and do what works best for you.
Good Luck!
Donna
Dear Donna,
I have been an operating room RN since 1985. I would like to do something else. I would like to find a non-hospital
job in which I can use the skills, knowledge, and experience that I have gained. Do you have any suggestions? Where
should I start my search?
OR Nurse
Dear OR Nurse,
Your perioperative experience is valuable in a variety of settings. Companies that manufacture and sell products
used in the OR hire nurses to do sales, marketing, education, training, and so much more. I suggest that you
approach any company representatives that you come in contact with, get their business cards, and speak with
them outside of work. You’ll be amazed to learn about the opportunities.
Beyond that you have a virtually endless list of other possibilities depending on your specific interests and
skill set. There are huge opportunities for you in the outpatient surgery arena including plastic and cosmetic
surgery (a hot and growing field). Pain management centers are another possibility. Start speaking to some of
the surgeons and anesthesiologists that you work with and let them know of your interest to transition out of
the hospital. Ask them to make referrals and recommendations for you.
You should get out to some local chapters meetings of your state nurses association and/or the Association
of periOperative Registered Nurses <www.aorn.org> (even
as a guest if you don’t belong) to mix and mingle with other nurses to see what’s happening out there beyond
the sterile walls of the OR you work in. Periopertive nursing can be particularly isolating so you need to shed
your scrubs and mask once in awhile and start venturing out to make contacts and get ideas and information.
You should also attend Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek Career Fairs in your area. These are great places to
learn about trends and opportunities, to practice your self-marketing and networking skills, and to make great
contacts. You can find information about Nursing Spectrum/NurseWeek Career Fairs
at www.nurse.com.
Good Luck!
Donna
Copyright Gannett Healthcare
Group (www.nurse.com). All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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