Looking after Dialysis patients during a hospital admission - Page 2

Thank you for your post

Thanks so much for this post!!! I work in center...I attempted to leave but I realized I love it too much...my bro was a dialysis patient as well and I wanted to do dialysis so I could learn what my bro was going thru... He dad a few weeks after j started the job but he kept encouraging me to continue with dialysis

Beautiful post. I've had many diaylisis patients that come into the icu with at K+ of 9 and heart failure. I try my very best not to judge. I can't imagine getting up in the middle of the night three to four days a week to go to diaylsis. These people have to re-arrange their lives to live. It is truly sad.

A wonderful post. I worked in Dialysis for a short time. The job was hectic and at times nerve-racking where I felt I would never make it through change over. Despite all my patients had to go through, and I think the one of the worst was county transport. Nonetheless, they were the ones that made the day better. God Bless them all!

Thank you for this. I work on a diabetes/renal floor and I often find myself getting easily frustrated with our "non-compliant" frequent fliers. This definitely helped put things into perspective (especially after working three 12's in a row). So thank you.

It's easy for us to wag our fingers at patients who don't take their meds, smoke cigarettes, drink too much ETOH, consume too many calories, etc. Obviously, telling someone what to do isn't helping them fix their problem. When so many patients are non-compliant and we 'educate' them, then expect they'll stop eating dessert, throw their cigarettes away, or begin daily sessions on the treadmill, WE are the ones who have the problem! It's not that they aren't getting the messages, it's not that they haven't seen or read about the correlations between these personal habits and health conditions. But, WE are the ones who spend 5 minutes lecturing (I mean educating) then think the patient's life is going to miraculously turn around based on our 25 words. Looks like nurses have to do something different if we want to make a difference.

Thanks from me as well.

I worked in chronic dialysis for over 5 years and did some inpatient/acute dialysis as well and have encountered very few obnoxious patients (one in particular, and another one with an awful spouse); I will never forget, and remember fondly, many of the other patients I was privileged to care for. We shouldn't forget that a certain percentage of the population has some psych/anger/personality issues, and they're sure not going to get any "nicer" once they're dealing with the stress of dialysis!

That said, I have to honestly say that - although I loved it at the time - I wouldn't want to return to outpatient dialysis. The work/pace is brutal, particularly during turnover, and the hours (having to get up at 4 a.m.) just don't agree with me. Then again, I'm not getting younger.

I admire those of you are continuing in this difficult, but very rewarding specialty!

I have worked as a tech in op clinic for 5 years and 6 years in acutes. I am starting nursing school next month. I plan to go back to the clinic setting as an RN because I consider my patients to be my extended family. We see them as much or even more than family. I have worked with some amazing dialysis nurses which have inspired me to continue my career in dialysis. I am so happy to hear these posts and cant wait to become a dialysis nurse!

Great write up, currently looking into working with dialysis and this made me feel good about my choice ;-)

Nice post. It reminds those of us who do not work with dialysis the pain and the frustration those patients face.