Dialysis LPN

Specialties Urology

Published

I will graduate as a LPN in 2008. I'm wanting to become a dialysis nurse. Since I will be not be working while I'm attending school, I was thinking about volunteering at a dialysis clinic for the next year.

Does anyone think this will allow me to get a job in dialysis after I graduate? I was also wondering what an LPN does that is different from a Tech & a RN. Thanks!

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Hi, there,

I don't know if dialysis clinics can accept volunteers (due to liability reasons), but perhaps a hospital's dialysis department would (since hospitals usually have volunteers). In any case, showing interest would only benefit you.

Not all outpatient/clinic dialysis providers hire LPNs, often because of state laws which determine what each category of caregiver (RN, LPN/LVN, PCT/tech) can legally do. In some states, techs can do much of what nurses can do (put on/take off pts, access central lines/perm caths, do assessments and even push heparin and some other meds! Shocking IMO, but reality); therefore, the companies prefer to hire primarily techs with a few RNs as charge nurses. In other states, they do hire LPNs who can usually do almost as much as RNs do in this setting (exceptions in my clinic included giving TPA, being in charge, staying with patients after tx and doing call for one of the local hospitals - not having to take call is definitely an advantage for LPNs!)

I encourage you to contact your local dialysis provider(s) for an interview - perhaps they do have some volunteer work for you, and they will certainly let you know if they employ LPNs and what their scope of practice is in dialysis clinics in your state.

Good luck! You will find outpatient dialysis a rewarding field (in which LPNs typically earn more than they do in hospitals/acute care, but less than in long time care/nursing homes).

DeLana

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This is what I found out about LPN's in OH. I'm just not sure what this means exactly. Does a LPN do more than a Tech, or do we do the job as a tech with a license?

"...at the direction of a physician or a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse authorized by the board to perform intravenous therapy may perform the following activities for the purpose of performing dialysis:

  1. The routine administration and regulation of saline solution for the purpose of maintaining an established fluid plan;
  2. The administration of a heparin dose intravenously;
  3. The administration of a heparin dose peripherally via a fistula needle;
  4. The loading and activation of a constant infusion pump or the intermittent injection of a dose of medication prescribed by licensed physician for dialysis."

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Specializes in Nephrology.

Great Career Choice! I Also Am An Lpn, I Went Directly Out Of School To The Dialysis Unit That I Now Have Worked At For Two Years. I Have Found That In Pa They Do Hire Lpns, But Not Very Often Atleast In The Area I Live. I Am The Only Lpn With Our Company That I Know Of. I Can Tell You In Our Unit The Only Difference Between Me And The Rn's Is They Can Do The Iv Push Meds, And Hang Blood Products Which In Our State That Is A Universal Protocol, Not Just In The Dialysis Unit. Which At This Time I Only Have 6 Classes Till I Get My Rn Degree So Thats Ok. My Advice To You Is Plan On Getting You Rn Degree, That Will Be Your Only Chance For Advancement In This Specialty Area. Best Of Look To You And I Hope You Find Dialysis Nursing As Rewarding As I Do. I Wouldn't Want To Be Anywhere Else.

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I have a month to go to finish my 2nd semester of pre-req's. I have a few more classes to take & then I'm going into a RN bridge program. It's faster to go this way. Thanks!

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DOES ANYONE KNOW IF LPN FROM NY can do DIALYSIS? if so where can we go to do the training course? Thanks =)

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