new to dialysis, please help!

[s9283]

Hi. I am an RN with 1 yr experience in a busy medsurg floor. I recently left that floor for a dialysis clinic. I really think I like it at this clinic. I am still in training with a tech (learning machines, sticking pts, troubleshooting, etc...). I am in my 5th and final wk of tech training and at the end of this wk I am expected to beable to handle a pod of 4 pts all by myself with eveything the tech does (put on, take off, break down and set up machines and stick the pt.) There is 15 minutes allowed with each pt before the next one comes in. The problem is I am not able to handle this load of 4 pts in a timely manner. I feel confident in performing all the skills, I am just not fast enough. I am getting very frustrated because I have high expectations for myself and I feel I am failing. I was able to handle 7 pts on medsurg why cant I do this? I am wondering if this is the job for me, maybe I just am not cut out for it. I really do find it interesting and enjoy the pts and roles the nurses have. What has everyones experiences been when they first started there new dialysis job for the first time? Another question is my manager told me that my nursing training is going to be two wks. Is this average for a nurse who has no dialysis experience? It will be a total of 7 wks with tech and nurse training put together. Thanks for reading this! I look forward to everyone s answers.

[Migrant_Renal_RN]

How long have you been a nurse? I always base training time on individual needs and strengths. The most important thing to remember is that you know what you know and if you aren't comfortable say so. If you don't know, ask. And there is no such thing as a stupid question. Take your time, do the right thing at the right time, always speak up for your self. Good Luck!!!!