acute dialysis RN- a day in the life...

Oct 18, 2009 11:42 PM

by heygurlhey

This may seem like a silly question, but do any of you guys leave during the day between treatments?

thanks!

Onekidneynurse · Oct 19, 2009, 12:04 PM

Re: acute dialysis RN- a day in the life...

Originally Posted by heygurlhey

This may seem like a silly question, but do any of you guys leave during the day between treatments?

thanks!

If the docs haven't written HD orders I'm liable to leave. LOL... We're fussy like that.

NurseKandi · Oct 20, 2009, 01:28 PM

Re: acute dialysis RN- a day in the life...

Not between patients but if we are waiting for a line to be placed, then we clock out and go eat or something but never leave. Our docs are pretty good at getting the ball rolling so there isn't much down time. We are a busy acute program with 4 hospitals so there really is never any down time..especially when on call!!

nephrologyrndat · Oct 20, 2009, 06:51 PM

Re: acute dialysis RN- a day in the life...

I've absoulutely left the hospital during downtime or wait-time. I just clock out and let someone know or let the docs know. Especially if I'm waiting for 45min plus. Which I did a lot of in the program that I worked in. I guess it depends on how busy you are.

**madwife2002** · Oct 27, 2009, 12:59 PM

Re: acute dialysis RN- a day in the life...

I am supposed to be starting acute dialysis soon and I was wondering if anybody could give me a run down of a basic day?

WhiteLily · Oct 28, 2009, 01:50 PM

Re: acute dialysis RN- a day in the life...

I can't answer the question about leaving, but I do like to ASK a question regarding dialysis nursing.
I am a brand new grad fro an RN nursing program. Nursing is my second career. I had a very good clinical experience (though a brief one) in a dialysis center. Now, as soon as my licence is avilable, I will look for a job, needless to say. What does it take to be able to work as a dialysis nurse, and find a job?
Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Onekidneynurse · Oct 28, 2009, 05:34 PM

Re: acute dialysis RN- a day in the life...

Originally Posted by WhiteLily

I can't answer the question about leaving, but I do like to ASK a question regarding dialysis nursing.
I am a brand new grad fro an RN nursing program. Nursing is my second career. I had a very good clinical experience (though a brief one) in a dialysis center. Now, as soon as my licence is avilable, I will look for a job, needless to say. What does it take to be able to work as a dialysis nurse, and find a job?
Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

It takes getting hired. Many units want M/S or ICU experience. Maybe a year. But others are desperate and will take you without that experience. They will train you for 6-8 weeks. It's a grueling orientation. I don't want to discourage you just trying to give you the facts.

WhiteLily · Oct 28, 2009, 06:20 PM

Re: acute dialysis RN- a day in the life...

Thank you Onekidneynurse! It seems to me that everything about nursing is a grueling experience, especialy the clinicals. I'll be lying if I said that I wasn't scared! Everything new in life is scary. What is encouraging for me is the fact that I liked the experience. I would actually prefer to start that way, with on-site training. I know that I have to have my RN license first, for sure.

If you don't mind me asking, I suspect that you are yourself a dialysis nurse.

Onekidneynurse · Oct 28, 2009, 06:52 PM

Re: acute dialysis RN- a day in the life...

Originally Posted by WhiteLily

Thank you Onekidneynurse! It seems to me that everything about nursing is a grueling experience, especialy the clinicals. I'll be lying if I said that I wasn't scared! Everything new in life is scary. What is encouraging for me is the fact that I liked the experience. I would actually prefer to start that way, with on-site training. I know that I have to have my RN license first, for sure.

If you don't mind me asking, I suspect that you are yourself a dialysis nurse.

I started in HD in 87 as an LPN. I worked a 20 station unit for 2 1/2 years until Epogen came along and I couldn't give it. I went back to school. Got my BSN in 1997 and went back into HD. Worked in 3 different clinics for 5 years. Then traveled in 13 states for 6 1/2 years. Now I'm back "home" but traveling for my original company.

I've done chronics for years until June. I am now doing acutes. I don't particularly like acutes but the $$$ is good and I am doing HD. My niche.

Good luck on your search. I'd suggest you ask to shadow a nurse for a period of time and see what it's like. Also, I'd suggest 1 year of chronics before you go to acutes. In many acute programs you are alone in the middle of the night and you better know your stuff. How to troubleshoot the machines and maybe even "fix" them to get you through a treatment.

heygurlhey · Oct 29, 2009, 05:10 AM

Re: acute dialysis RN- a day in the life...

Going back to the original question about leaving, I am wondering because I know some of you must have pets that you would like to let outside in the middle of 12-16 hour days. It seems like if you know you are doing at least two ICU treatments in a day, who would really care if you started the second one at 2pm instead of 1pm?

And as madwife wanted to know, can anyone give a typical day run down? Or variety of how it may be?

Thanks!

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acute dialysis RN- a day in the life...

acute dialysis RN- a day in the life...

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