Be Honest...what's it like in a Dialysis Clinc(LPNS)?

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2009

Dialysis is very fast-paced and hectic. As an LPN, you will setting up machines putting pts on and off of tx, and giving meds. An RN is charge. Some larger clinics utilize an LPN as a med nurse.

GeauxNursing · Feb 14, 2009

as an LPN in dialysis, you set up machines, tear them down, set up for another shift, do incoming/outgoing assessments, gauge fluid gain/loss. give meds such as EPO through the machine lines, initiate catheter pts onto treatment.

You will also be doing some cannulation. The needles are big! 15-gauge usually. The patients have what is called an "access" surgically placed in their arm. One needle becomes the arterial site, from which you pull the blood into the dialyzer and through the machine, and the other needle become the venous site, where the blood is returned to patient. You will have lots of practice in doing this; it is all on-the-job training (in my experience).

Remember that a patient's access is their lifeline; if their access doesn't work, they can't have dialysis. We want to try and get as many ppl placed with fistulas and grafts as possible since a CVC is more likely to become infected.

Hopefully, the company you work for will put you through extensive training (for Davita it is at least 10 weeks) You will get theory, water treatment, P and P, dietary, machine troubleshooting, meds. Then you will be on the floor with a nurse preceptor.

It IS fast-paced, and it IS exciting. I love my job, even though sometimes I complain about the hours or my boss or something like that : ) I love that I am specializing in this field and that I am able to recognize signs of trouble really quick because I have been here for so long.

You will feel lost and scared and probably cry in the beginning because it is so overwhelming. but that feeling passes, if you are really "in it to win it"!

hope you enjoy!

pricklypear · Feb 14, 2009

I can only speak for the clinic I work in... We have LPNs occasionally who are in the float pool. They function as a tech at our clinic. Which means they are responsible for a "pod" of patients, (4 at our clinic). As mentioned above, they set up machines, cannulate (insert needles) , initiate dialysis and monitor the treatment. At the end of treatment, they remove the needles, clean and reset the machine and prepare the next group of 4 patients. We always have an RN for each group of 8, so the LPN/tech is never required to do assessments or give meds - but they sometimes do when time permits. Remember, this is my own limited experience! I have the impression that LPNs can be abused and overworked due to the fact that they can also do much of the RNs job in regard to direct patient care.

I have no experience at other clinics or other companies, but I'm under the impression that things are vastly different from place to place. I really love my co-workers and, usually, my patients:bugeyes:!

Dialysis is busy, and can be hectic. I had more down time working med-surg than I do now. Everything depends on your co-workers and the clinic culture.

Good luck, I hope you find a job you really love!

Lacie, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

My facitility the LPN does charge and does the same task the RN does. Many days I'm on a paperwork day and my LPN takes the floor on her own with the pcts'. She also does assessments, gives meds, does the initial admission assessment which I review and co-sign. She helps me with my monthly reports for corporate and to be honest she is much more capable then any of the RN's I have working. Depends on where you are and your state requirements.

sarenna34 · Feb 15, 2009

Hi. I have 10 years experience in dialysis. Started out as an LPN then got my RN. You either love it or hate it. You would be responsible for setting the machines up, cannulating their access, wheather it is a fistula or a graft with 15g needles. It's not that hard once you get the feel for it. You initiate their treatment and give IV meds. THose meds would only be Epogen, Vitamin D meds like Hectoral, and IV iron like venofer. THe only IM meds you would ever give is the Flu or Hepatitis vaccination. Once all your patients are on the machine. You monitor them. The average tx is 3-4 hours. ONce their treatment is done you take them off, reset up the machines and a new set of patients come in. That's the crazy part of the day. It last about 2 hours, and you run around like a chicken with your head cut off. But i have to say. I loved it! Every job has it crazy moments. Working in dialysis, is actually redundant. You are pretty much doing the same thing every day. It takes about a year working in the field to get comfortable with it. My first few months, i would come home and cry. I just couldn't handle the "turn-over", but after a while i found ways to make it easier and to get better time management with my day and patients. To be honest, there are tons of nursing jobs out there, so try it, and if you don't like it then you can find something else. But just keep in mind it takes a long time doing it to feel comfortable, so please don't give up right away. Hope this helps. IF you want any more info dont hesitate to ask.