new to dialysis

[TXRN2]

hello to all. i am an old nurse (19 yr exp. in L&D) new to dialysis. i am doing chronics in the hosp. i have always working in. 50 beds. i had 80 hr classroom, now in wk 2 of 8 of learning the PCT position. just want to touch base with ya'll & make sure i am on track. sometimes i feel pretty good ( when all is going well), but still feel very inadequate when something goes wrong- of the million things that can go wrong!! still feel very slow, & have to refer to my cheat sheet for putting on & taking off. have already overheard a couple of PCT's commenting on my slowness- it's only wk 2, for crying out loud!!! & my 1st wk of training was disorganized r/t preceptor calling in 2 days, then getting hurt... & on top af that, the pace is way more strenuous than i'm use to- geez, i hurt at the end of the day!! would appreciate knowing i am on track, or if i need to change anything, etc- from you guys who do this for a living. i really do like this- am glad to be learning something new. thanks for your input.

[soulofme]

Hang in there... it will probably take 6-9 months to feel really capable. Ignore the techs...they forgot they were in your shoes at one time. Hopefully, when you get done with your training, you won't be on the floor that much. The problem with being a nurse & taking pts..is that your work as a RN suffer cause you're being stretched in too many directions.

[Tish88]

Just ignore those PCT remarks - you are doing fine!

It will take awhile to get into your own groove.

Allow 6 months to feel comfortable and 1 year to truly understand what you are doing and why you are doing it!

Good luck to you - hang in there!!!

[TXRN2]

thanks to you both- i really do appreciate it!! i've had the weekend off, so am now refreshed & renewed & once again up for the task!!