How to prepare for dyalisis?

Specialties Urology

Published

I have almost one year under my belt on med-surg. I have been hoping to get a job as a dyalisis nurse in the clinic in my home town as soon as my contract is up. Any tips as to what I could be studying to prepare myself? I think I will get plenty of training but worry about being way out of my league. Thanks for any tips!

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Specializes in Home hemo.

You probably know enough about the urinary system to get started. You should brush up on hypotension and diabetes signs/symptoms. Anemia knowledge is huge. The meds Epogen and Heparin are good to know as well. Be prepared to be busy and be a good prioratizer. I have been in dialysis 14 years, and I love it. Good luck, and keep us posted.

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You probably know enough about the urinary system to get started. You should brush up on hypotension and diabetes signs/symptoms. Anemia knowledge is huge. The meds Epogen and Heparin are good to know as well. Be prepared to be busy and be a good prioratizer. I have been in dialysis 14 years, and I love it. Good luck, and keep us posted.

This info was very helpful for me as well.. Thanxs!!!

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Specializes in Nephrology.

Cardiac knowledge is very important as well.

You also may want to see if you can spend some time in the vascular access department at your hospital. Learning about hemodialysis accesses can be a great tool and who better to learn from than those who place them...maybe they will even let you observe a surgery.

Hypotension was mentioned, but don't forget about HTN. You will probably see some BPs that will make you want to ask the patient "how are you alive?".

Brush up on diffusion, osmosis and ultrafiltration.

Probably one of the most important thing is fluid and electrolyte balance...you will deal with this everyday! PP mentioned anemia, specifically iron deficiency anemia.

One thing you will see a lot in dialysis that you may not be familiar with is secondary hyperparathyroidism. I would love to help if you want more to study...let me know and good luck!

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I'm still new at HD so every time a lab value gets reported to us with a K+ of 7.0 (or even 7.7 in one case!) or a pt comes in with a BP of 215/100 I feel like I'm the one who needs rescusitation!

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Specializes in Nephrology.

Ha! It will get better as you get to know what the "normals" you are dealing with are, especially for each individual patient. A K of 7.7 should be alarming though!

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Specializes in OB/GYN,PHN, Family Planning.
I have almost one year under my belt on med-surg. I have been hoping to get a job as a dyalisis nurse in the clinic in my home town as soon as my contract is up. Any tips as to what I could be studying to prepare myself? I think I will get plenty of training but worry about being way out of my league. Thanks for any tips!

First learn how to spell dialysis -sorry couldn't help myself!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
first learn how to spell dialysis -sorry couldn't help myself!

glad i wasn't the first. honestly, when you go to apply for the position, it helps if your spelling and punctuation are professional and correct. especially for the position you're interested in. i know, i know, you're not applying for a job here on this board. but honestly, writing thankyou notes and cover letters are stressful. if you get so correct spelling is automatic, it's just one less thing for you to worry about when the time comes.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Comments like that are mean. Nursing is hard. We should support each other. That miss spell could have just been a typing error, a slip of the finger. Really...at least you could have put "LOL" or :-) next to your comment!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Your comment is mean and uncalled for. That miss spell could have been a typing error. This fourm should be a place where nurses can ask questions and help each other without rude comments like yours. I hope you are a better co-worker. Yes, correct spelling is important, but here...really??? Let's try help and supporting each other.

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Your comment is mean and uncalled for. That miss spell could have been a typing error. This fourm should be a place where nurses can ask questions and help each other without rude comments like yours. I hope you are a better co-worker. Yes, correct spelling is important, but here...really??? Let's try help and supporting each other.

Lighten up Francis. It was good-natured ribbing between colleagues.

Get to know the difference before casting stones.

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