There’s been a growing demand for nephrology nurses for decades, but the shortage is reaching a fever pitch. In fact, experts predict a deficit of nearly 1 million renal nurses by 2030. As a professional, this means you get the pick of the litter when it comes to dialysis employers. You have valuable, highly sought-after, and meaningful expertise in an industry of providers that are eagerly searching for employees. It’s the perfect recipe for finding the best position based on your specific goals. The key is finding the right employer who can offer what you deserve.
Employee satisfaction.
Just like you’d read customer reviews before buying something, you should see what current and previous employees are saying about an employer. There will always be a range of experiences, but you’ll want to stay away from dialysis companies that are regularly rated poorly. On the other hand, you can feel confident with an employer that receives great feedback from its renal nurses. This insider feedback is the most accurate information you’ll get about what it’s like to work there without actually getting hired yet.
Competitive pay.
Money isn’t everything when it comes to finding a dialysis provider, but it certainly is a major determining factor. You’ve invested a significant amount of time and money in obtaining the necessary education and qualifications to become a renal nurse. Plus, you’re offering a highly in-demand, sophisticated, and critical service that helps patients get their life back. For reference, renal nurses earn around $77,000/year on average, although it varies by state. Know your worth, and don’t settle for lowball offers.
Flexible schedules.
Tragically, many nurses have been pressured into accepting unreasonably strict schedules and unsustainable overtime hours. Just because you’re working in the healthcare field doesn’t mean you have to put up with these expectations from employers. There are dialysis providers who offer flexible schedules and reasonable hours, allowing you to do the work you love while still maintaining a work-life balance. Of course, you still want the option to pick up overtime hours if that’s what you want to do, so having an accommodating employer is essential.
Employee appreciation.
Appreciation is one of those intangible factors that can make a big difference in terms of job satisfaction. Even with a competitive salary and great benefits, it can feel frustrating and defeating to work for a dialysis provider that doesn’t recognize your hard work. When searching for the right employer, it’s critical to find one that focuses on the satisfaction and well-being of its employees as well as its patients. This will go a long way in creating a sustainable, supportive, and efficient work environment.
Local provider.
Another important factor to look for when looking for the right dialysis employer is their regional focus. National providers are more distant from their employees which minimizes the likelihood that they’re in touch with your specific needs. Alternatively, a locally-focused, regional dialysis provider will know exactly what renal nurses in the area expect from an employer. There’s a higher level of accountability and familiarity you can get with local businesses that you simply can’t achieve with the giant, faceless providers.
Upward mobility.
Every renal nurse wants to continue excelling in the field, developing new skills, and advancing in their career. When considering various dialysis employers, you’ll want to focus on providers with opportunities for upward mobility. Look for a dialysis provider that actively invests in its team members and actively encourages advancement. Generally speaking, the big players in the industry focus more on hiring as many renal nurses as possible as opposed to maximizing the opportunities of a strategically limited number of employees.
Searching for a reputable and local provider that offers competitive pay, plenty of upward mobility, and flexible scheduling? Great to hear! At Dialysis Systems Management, we offer all that and then some. Feel free to contact us to learn more about working for us as a renal nurse or apply directly on our site.