Will RNs be phased out of dialysis?

Specialties Urology

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Hi, everyone! I am a nursing student (will be rn, bsn) doing my senior year extern at a local hospital based outpatient dialysis unit. I really "fell into" dialysis because I didn't know what I wanted to do for my externship, but discovered that I like it! I am feeling a bit overwhelmed right now, as I've only been there 4 days! It seems that a lot of dialysis centers are looking for LPNs and techs only and I want to make sure I am making a solid career move.

My question is: Is there a solid future for the RN, BSN in dialysis?

Thank you!

(And by no means am I implying that LPNs or RN,AD any "less"-these people are terrific! The staff on my unit are very valuable and knowledgable and some of the brightest people around!!)

I appreciate the answers and support!!!

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Hi, everyone! I am a nursing student (will be rn, bsn) doing my senior year extern at a local hospital based outpatient dialysis unit. I really "fell into" dialysis because I didn't know what I wanted to do for my externship, but discovered that I like it! I am feeling a bit overwhelmed right now, as I've only been there 4 days! It seems that a lot of dialysis centers are looking for LPNs and techs only and I want to make sure I am making a solid career move.

My question is: Is there a solid future for the RN, BSN in dialysis?

Thank you!

(And by no means am I implying that LPNs or RN,AD any "less"-these people are terrific! The staff on my unit are very valuable and knowledgable and some of the brightest people around!!)

I appreciate the answers and support!!!

Well, first of all in order to get one of the most respected certifications in nursing, Certified Nephrology Nurse, you must have a BSN. Guess we can put the BSN issue to rest..eh???;) Check out this site www.annanurse.org

ANNA has just come out with a certification for APN's. To become a Certifed Nephrology NP..

Secondly, every inpatient hemodialysis patient needs a Nursing assessment three times a week by an RN in most states.

The also need anemia management, done by an RN.

Short and long term care plans done by an RN, SW, RD etc.

So the short answer is NO RN's will never be phased out of hemodialysis.

Good luck

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I have a friend who is a travleing dialysis tech. He just finished a contract in acutes in Las Vegas.

There are no RNs in Nevada acutes, only in chronics.

In acutes, the techs do the caths, CRRT, plasmaphorses, PUF, and even give the blood and albumin without a nurse.

I found this to be very disturbing.

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I have a friend who is a travleing dialysis tech. He just finished a contract in acutes in Las Vegas.

There are no RNs in Nevada acutes, only in chronics.

In acutes, the techs do the caths, CRRT, plasmaphorses, PUF, and even give the blood and albumin without a nurse.

I found this to be very disturbing.

And where pay tell is the ICU nurse. She is ultimately responsible for that patient. The tech is preforming a treatment . He/she is not the primary nurse for that patient.

In either MN or MI tech were giving meds, i.e. EPO, etc . The state BON put a stop to it.

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The ICU nurses there have no training whatsoever in dialysis.

The tech shows the nurse how to give the Epo in the blood line, then the nurse does it. If a tech needs orders, he gets them from doc, and the nurse signs it.

The tech I know works for a different agency than I do. Of course, the RN is ultimately responsible. But it's hard to be reposible for the HDTX if you don't know anything about it.

I asked my recruiter about dialysis nurses in NV. He confirmed that RNs are only used in chronics in NV.

I was reading a report a few weeks ago, which stated that Nevada has the highest rate of dialysis related morbidity and mortality of all the states.

I wonder why?:uhoh3:

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Thank you all for responding! I was worried that techs would be doing things that they should not do and I guess it depends on where you work. I want to be respected for what I do and I like giving meds and managing treatment. I see potential problems in our unit when there are not enough rn's around to give all the meds.

Another question-is it normal for techs to buttonhole, etc? I believe that these techs are certified to do so, but it seems to me that the only different things I will do differently is give meds, assess and prepare careplans.

I really want to stay in this area for the long haul and I will look into further certification. (Thanks 1940Nurse for link...)

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Boy, this is an interesting question ...

Is the use of techs regulated by the states? If so, are there differences between the states? And, does anyone know how California regulates this, if at all?

Thanks.

:typing

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Calif requires all techs to be certified.

Nev does not, Az will require it by the end of 2007. Some states let techs do caths and cannulate, others do not even let them cannulate.

Every state is different.

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Calif requires all techs to be certified.

Nev does not, Az will require it by the end of 2007. Some states let techs do caths and cannulate, others do not even let them cannulate.

Every state is different.

Ok. So ... can certified techs replace RN's in California? I'm curious because I'm interested in this field and, a friend of mine who is an ICU nurse is now going through three months of training to become a dialysis nurse.

She'll be making $50 an hour (albeit without benefits) so, I'm wondering if tech's could eventually replace these nursing positions.

:typing

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It also depends on what the facility will permit. Any of the facilities that I have worked in, in CA, require that it be done by an RN, and that is all that I see.

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Ok. So ... can certified techs replace RN's in California? I'm curious because I'm interested in this field and, a friend of mine who is an ICU nurse is now going through three months of training to become a dialysis nurse.

She'll be making $50 an hour (albeit without benefits) so, I'm wondering if tech's could eventually replace these nursing positions.

:typing

RNs do acute dialysis in CA. I'm sure if hospitals ever thought of having techs replace RNS, the CNA would nip that in the bud.

$50. an hour. Wow. Travelers don't make that much.

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Calif requires all techs to be certified.

Nev does not, Az will require it by the end of 2007. Some states let techs do caths and cannulate, others do not even let them cannulate.

Every state is different.[/quoute]

Arizona already requires techs to be Bonnet certified and has for a number of years.

When I was in Cali in 2002 they did NOT require techs to be certified.

Here's the link

www.nephrologynursing.net

The article is about State regs.

For those interested in ALL the states you can read the Jan/Feb issue of Nephrology Nursing Journal report. With all the states listed and their requirements. Some had pending legislation so they might be different now.

Many states DON'T HAVE any verbage in their nurse practice Acts to stop techs from cannulating and working with caths. That's how the dialysis units get around that.

I'm off to get a link for the article I just referenced.

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