How long until you felt comfortable in KD?

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Mar 3, 2012

I just started working at an inhospital KD unit and was wondering how long it took everyone to get the routine down and feel comfortable with the machines, patient care, etc.?? I have nursing experience, but its not in this field at all. I feel kind of lost at times! What has been your experiences?

Are you talking Acute Dialysis (inpatient hospital hemo/PD...patients admitted to the hospital) only, a general dialysis program located in a hospital, or a renal floor?

Eleven011 · Mar 3, 2012

It's an in hospital unit, but its for mostly established chronic KD patients. We get acutes from the hospital and ICU runs, but its not everyday. There is a PD aspect, but I don't have to learn that, there is one nurse that does only that.

berner · Mar 5, 2012

Just wondering what happened to your paraprofessional job in elementary school? I have been a nurse for 15 years in a hospital and a little burnt out. I have been thinking of putting in applications to be a teachers aide. Your post gave me some hope and now I see you work in dialysis? What happened?

Eleven011 · Mar 5, 2012

I loved that job - but life happens and we couldn't afford it. I hoped that we could, but we have been falling behind for some time now, and when this opportunity came up, I couldn't justify not taking it. It was a great break from nursing, and i am going to stay on as a sub and see what happens. Money being not a factor, I would still be at the school job - so if you can afford a career change - go for it!

tony55! · Sep 17, 2012

When I started (almost 15yrs ago) I worked in a chronic unit and we had to take call for acute patients. It took 6 months for me to feel comfort when I got called in by myself. However, I started taking call after 2 months. It takes about 2 months to feel comfortable with the machine and troubleshooting.

Chisca, RN · Sep 28, 2012

About a year for me but maybe I'm a slow learner. Really hard for me not to do a complete physical assessment on every patient and if I see something funny on the cardiac monitor I want to investigate. Recognise your strengths and work on improving where you are weak. Find those coworkers who like to learn and pick the brains of every doc you see. Patients are a good resource too if you take the time to listen.