New Grads in Dialysis?

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · May 17, 2005

Okay...one of our techs just finished nursing school...and will work as a GN until she passes boards.
Okay...this is NOT her first rodeo with dialysis...she has worked there 4 years.
As a GN, shouldn't she be able to do physical assessments..take catheter patients on and off? What else? I know meds are a no-no... that is okay. What do you think..??

I, too, was a tech/PCT for five years at my unit and went through nursing school while working there full time.

As soon as I became a GN I began doing everything the other RNs did there. Meds included.

As a sidenote, our techs all do caths as well. But that's a state by state thing.

nosonew, BSN, RN · May 17, 2005

Oh I would just DIE and go to HEAVEN if my techs could do caths!

We now have 9 caths and just had 12 out of 27 patients! When I am the only nurse, which happens very frequently...that makes it pretty hard to take them on and off, do meds, pre and post assessments as well as taking care of all the other issues.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · May 17, 2005

Oh I would just DIE and go to HEAVEN if my techs could do caths!
We now have 9 caths and just had 12 out of 27 patients! When I am the only nurse, which happens very frequently...that makes it pretty hard to take them on and off, do meds, pre and post assessments as well as taking care of all the other issues.

You're darn right ! And I think it highly improper and unfeasible to ask that of the "only nurse". I'd be telling them to get some more nurses in there stat or I'd be outta there ! :madface:

Either that or not take a patient load yourself.. just do meds, assessments, and caths.. supervise and deal with all the other issues. No way should you be required to do all that and have a patient load of your own! :madface:

At our unit we have 3 RNs (our Clinincal Mgr. included, who also helps out on the floor a LOT).. and 2 LPNs, and 2 PCTs (techs).

So we usually have at LEAST two licensced people the floor at all times.. most often three.. at times even four.

KAT1994 · Jun 23, 2005

Oh I would just DIE and go to HEAVEN if my techs could do caths!
We now have 9 caths and just had 12 out of 27 patients! When I am the only nurse, which happens very frequently...that makes it pretty hard to take them on and off, do meds, pre and post assessments as well as taking care of all the other issues.

Hi,

I'm new to allnurses.com. I know this is an old post, but just thought I'd share my similar experience.

Two years ago we had 75% catheters in our 86 pt unit. Our PCTs could not do catheters at our unit although it is permitted in my state. I had 9 catheters, 2 lifesites, and one fistula pt. It was CRAZY! The techs would have the pts completely ready to be put on except for the assessment. I would only have to assess and initiate or DC the tx and the techs did all the fluff and tuck. Thank God things have changed and I would NEVER do it again.

Things changed when we got a new CD. She would be there, even on a Saturday, during turnover to help for a few hours. Also, I became the Vascular Access Coordinator. We are now down to less than 15% catheters that are not candidate for other access and 11% in the process of maturing fistulas or have referral for fistula placement. Fortunately, we also set up a program to train a few exceptional PCTs to do catheters and check them off on their technique every six months.

nosonew, BSN, RN · Jun 24, 2005

KAT 1994 welcome to allnurses!

Wow...that give me hope, but things change so slowly... we are down to 8 caths out of 25 patients, so it is better! Your horror story sounds worse than mine I think... EEKS!

I am responsible for my cath patients from the minute they walk in the door until they leave. Most are wheelchair, and if I want an accurate weight, I have to drop what I am doing and help them weight.

I am seriously considering a different profession. If anyone knows how to become a drug rep., please please PLEASE pm me!