RN dialysis positions...I must be missing something...

Specialties Urology

Published

A few months back I applied, was offered and accepted a position w/a large dialysis company. AFTER getting hired and beginning the orientation process I learned part of the training would take place in other facilities, some out of state. I also learned that sometimes I would be sent to other clinics to work (all of which are 60+ miles one way) if needed and it sounded like this occurred on a fairly regular basis. Being new into dialysis, I had no idea this going to other clinics or training at facilities other than your home base is not unusual. The training, including CPR recerts, is mostly offered in the next state over. I thought it was ridiculous to drive 2.5 hours for a 4 hr cpr class etc. So, I ended up resigning..as I explained to the hiring manager..had I known travel would be required I would've asked about how much etc. If it had been a few times a year for a day or two ok, but several times a month, no. So, I apply somewhere else, am hired. I specifically ask about training..am told there is no travel and give the hours. Specifically asked if overtime or being called in on days off was something that occurred on a regular basis. Was told no. So, here I am, 1 week from starting and receive a message from the hiring manager telling me the shifts are actually not 10 hours but 10 hours and 45 minutes and that working after 5, before 6 a.m. does happen fairly often but not everyday and getting called in would happen if another RN called out because he (hiring manager) doesn't want to drive the 2 hours he drives each way then work on the floor. I'm not new to healthcare. I know there are days that you end up staying over. I can handle that. But I can see now why dialysis nurses burn out, leave or those, like me, that want to give it a chance, end up not giving it one because it sounds like the job ends up being your life almost. I really don't see how anyone with a family, especially kids, could work dialysis. I have sat here most of the day in shock. I think maybe he decided after I asked him those questions to tell me the truth. The money is GREAT but the time it sounds like it's going to take..well, for me, time is the one thing I can never get back so I guess I will pass on this and just not look to dialysis again. REALLY disappointed :banghead:My hats off to you who work it, your life has to be taken up by it - or at least the days you work. I can understand better now those on here who complain about the shifts suppose to be 8 or 10 and end up working 12, 14, 16 hr days.

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Yep......the extra day(s) off is so not worth it because of the ridiculous hours that we work. I would really love to do the ten hour shifts I was hired for.

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I still get mad when I think of how at the interview I was told three 10 hour shifts and overtime is not allowed. I would kill for a 12 hour shift these days. When I complain my manager always says " thats dialysis". Well if it is so well known, why did SHE tell me 10 hour shifts at the interview?

I really do enjoy the job, and I like the patients. I just do not think my body can take much more of this. I am just physically and mentally burnt out. I want to have children, but again, how do you leave a baby for a 15 hour shift?

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Ugh...that's what I thought. There are 2 shifts run at this clinic..its small but it sounds like with the 2 that still means more than the 10 to 10.5 hrs. They would keep nurses if they would be honest from the beginning and maybe hire more so the time isn't so bad. I don't mind working and working hard but there is a limit - at least for me - because I don't want my whole life to be a job. I appreciate the honesty.

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With only 2 shifts, you can probably pull off a 10ish hour shift. What time do your patients start and how many chairs? We have 3 shifts at my clinic, which is why the days are so long. Can you ask to shadow one afternoon, or talk to the nurse that is there now. The job itself is actually not bad I enjoy the work. The length of the shift is what kills me.

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12 or 15 chairs..the shift begins at 0615 so I am assuming the first patient is there about that time or shortly thereafter. I am really torn about this..the steady income which is really good, not having to work M-F, holidays is also nice but I am so afraid of having to be there 12-16 hours every time I work. I thought about going in on Monday and asking if I can see what a typical day is like and speak directly to the staff. This is a very small clinic but owned by a major player in dialysis........it would be good for me in so many ways but with my other personal responsibilities I am not one that can devote my life to a position. I specifically asked about the patient shifts and was told 2.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hmmm - two shifts a day. Schedule would be something like this:

Tech comes in about 0500 to do water and get that going.

Second tech comes in at 0530 to get the machines primed. The first tech (after doing water) starts priming machines too.

Pts come in at 0615 and get started being put on at 0630. Depending on how many chairs you have this might take till 0730.

First shift starts to get off at 1000, and turnover begins.

The RN doesn't need to be present until the pts are present so the RN would work 0600 to 1600 when the last pt would get off.

The techs close water.

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

In my company the RN's work 4 10 hour shifts and overtime is rare

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