Any transplant people here?

[A&OxNone, MSN, RN]

So, I'm starting next week for a new job on a peds transplant floor, and I'm not completely sure what to expect!I'm coming from and ER background (not sure if you can get any farther away than cardiac ER to peds transplant), but I'm very, very excited.

Anybody here ever done this? Or adult? Or pt's or parent's of transplant kids on here? I just want to know what to expect, what you think is important, stories about your experiences, anything that could be helpful.

I know what the books say about looking for rejection, but in from a nurse, what have you seen?

Any feedback would be great. :) I'm nervous!! :eek:

[highlandlass1592, BSN, RN]

I work with adult post-transplant patients, heart and lung. I've also cared for other transplant patients who've been readmitted. I think what you're going to need to know is based upon what type of transplants they perform. Some general issues are reducing risk for infection, knowledge of anti-rejection medication regiment, possible interactions of other meds with anti-rejection meds. And there is a lot of teaching that must be done before these patients are discharged...a LOT. You will learn about that once you start.

[A&OxNone, MSN, RN]

I think what you're going to need to know is based upon what type of transplants they perform.

Oh, I guess I should be more specific...

They do mostly renal and liver tranplant. The occational heart (they usually go to the cardiac icu, but they will go there if they have had another type of trantplant, as well)

Thanks for your input! I know I have a lot to learn... no doubt!

[StrwbryblndRN]

We get a lot of admissions of rejection or possible infection. Specifically kidney transplants.

Beside making sure all meds are correct and so forth, there is alot of teaching of med compliance and infection control. Every time we get an admision for rejection/infection expect a lot of time/energy making sure meds are correct, all medical records pulled, that all parties are aware of admission. (we have a tx coordinator) There is an order set for these pt's which makes it much easier, but still time consuming.

We also prep for kidney transplants. Another order set.

Will you be taking care of post-op transplants or a mix?

Makes a big difference in care as to what stage of the transplant you will be caring for.

[TransplantRN3]

I work on a pediatric transplant unit. I'd love to talk to you about it. Feel free to message me!! :)

[RN58186]

I worked 12 years on the adult inpatient renal/pancreas transplant unit, and am now a Transplant Coordinator in the outpatient clinic. I follow approx 200 pts from the time they get their transplant until they are back on dialysis or they die. My pts mostly get admitted for rejection treatment, sepsis, complicated UTI's and PTLD. And the other stuff like GI bleeds, cardiac issues, DKA etc, etc. Feel free to message me it you have questions.