new rn

cajungypsy · Aug 15, 2002 09:52 PM

I'm a new RN (graduated in May) I'm thinking about trying dialysis
nursing. I don't know a lot about dialysis nursing so I'm hoping to get more info here.I'm currently working on a Med Surg unit with a very high acuity and nurse/pt ratio and I dread going to work every day. I always knew that floor nursing isn't for me but wanted to try med surg to get experience but I'm not getting any satisfaction out of it @ all. I don't feel like I'm doing anything but giving out meds and doing paperwork cuz of my pt load.
What kind of skills besides assessment do you get to do in dialysis and exactly what do you do in general? Would you guys recommend a new grad going into this field? One of the things that I enjoy doing the most is learning about patho and formulating interventions accordingly. This is impossible to do where I'm at. Oh, another ?. Can you go from dialysis into another area like ER or ICU? Thanx so much for any info or input you may have to offer.

mark_LD_RN · Aug 15, 2002, 10:26 PM

i know the feelin! you should look into dialysis you use assement skills, iv skills and interpersonal skills mostly. you admit pt take vitals review labs and orders get access for dialysis via shunt or what ever the pt has. start dialysis and monitor pt. each pt usually on pump average of 4 hours.

yes you can go from there to er or where ever you want. you will just need to find a place to orient you to where ever u go.

**jnette** · Sep 24, 2002, 04:30 PM

Hi Cajun !

Don't want to keep repeating myself, so read through the other threads in the renal dept. ...you'll find all kinds of input ! If you still have questions after that, post another message !

Good Luck !
Happy to try to answer any further questions you may have, ok? If I can't answer them, I know a BUNCH of people here can !!!

The best to you!

woundnurse · Sep 24, 2002, 06:51 PM

I went into dialysis right after nursing school as they were helplessly short of staff. Left after two years because (at least in my unit) it became very assembly line. Any education for patients was given to staff on a "brownie point" basis so both techs and RNs were competing to see how many patients they could teach (now really caring about weither the patients were in a position to learn at that time). At time was one RN to two tech. Unit changed into private hands so now one RN to who knows how many techs.... Just didn't feel I was able to give valuable nursing education. Just my own experience...many of the nurses who were there when I started are still there so???
Cory RN

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