workingmomRN

workingmomRN

med-surg, dialysis

Member
  • Content

    116
  • Visitors

    4,943
  • Followers

    0

About workingmomRN

workingmomRN specializes in med-surg, dialysis.


began nursing school at 32 yrs old, have 1 daughter & 1 step son, 2 step grandsons, a daughter-in-law, and a great husband (most of the time).

Latest Activity

  1. Obamacare? How will it affect dialysis?

    Our FA told our staff this week that CMS is going to cut Medicare reimbursements by 2% for sure and is considering a nearly 10% cut that will result in a lot of smaller dialysis clinics closing causing pts to have to travel farther to get their treat...
  2. Obamacare? How will it affect dialysis?

    I have been hearing alot of changes coming in the future for dialysis, none sound very good. What have you all heard & how do you think it will affect our careers as dialysis professionals in the future?
  3. New to dialysis

    I have been in dialysis since 2000, started with Fresenius then went to Davita. I have worked in some great clinics & 1 particular clinic that was an absolute hellhole. It is hard work, but I like the relationships that we develop with our pati...
  4. PCT'S training nurses?

    When I started in dialysis, I trained with a PCT to learn about the machines, cannulation, how to troubleshoot the machine when alarms go off. I learned alot from the PCT's I worked with then, and still go to the experienced PCT's if I need to. The...
  5. Facebook almost cost me my job

    I agree with your post, but your insights about patients come from years of experience. Our OP may be a young nurse starting out & has not gained these insights yet. Kind words of instruction go a long way rather than being harsh & judgment...
  6. Chronic dialysis nurse/patient ratio

    The nurse/patient ratios vary from state to state. In NC, there is no set limit for tech/patient ratio, but the general norm is 4 pts to each tech & 25 patients for 1 nurse. Now, with the new Medicare bundling, etc. we have been told that at t...
  7. how do i become dialysis certified?

    I agree with Acute Dialysis RN. You should go ahead & apply for the job. Clinics would like to get nurses with dialysis experience & certification, but there are not alot of them out there. I think that a nurse has to already have some nephr...
  8. Sever hypertension during dialysis

    These patients with severe hypertension need to control their fluid gains, avoid high sodium foods, & take their bp meds as directed. If they are doing all these things & their bp continues to be high, then the MD needs to adjust their medic...
  9. ACLS In outpt HDUs??

    The clinics that I have worked in used to have ACLS meds at one time & there was discussion a few years ago about requiring nurses to have ACLS certification. But that fell away because there has to be a MD in the building before the meds can be...
  10. Terrified of the stick :(

    Watch the experienced techs & nurses who are good "stickers". They will give you alot of helpful tips to make it easier for you. Sticking accesses is different, but remember that the grafts are made to accommodate larger needles so they can obt...
  11. how did you guys become a Hemodialysis Nurse?

    In my state there are no dialysis training programs. I got a job at a dialysis clinic & got all on the job training. The clinics will train you in everything you need to know, they have classes that cover all of the aspects of the job. Then th...
  12. Davita details

    Davita is not too bad to work for. At my clinic, there are only 2 RN's so we each work 3 days a week. I'm not sure how they schedule at larger clinics, probably 4 10-hour days. Davita likes for employees to get involved in different projects like ...
  13. What skills do Dialysis nurses use?

    I agree with the previous posts 100%. Dialysis is not the place for a new grad. You need good assessment skills & the ability to supervise the techs. They can make or break your day, & depending on the size of the clinic, you may be the on...
  14. Why are dialysis nurses paid less?

    I've been in dialysis for 10 years & it definitely is not just basic nursing stuff. When I first started, I thought it was the hardest job I had ever done. It still is the hardest job I've ever done at times, but I can't see myself doing anythi...
  15. Calling all DIALYSIS CHARGE NURSES

    Rock nurse has described the charge nurse's duties very well. It is a lot of headaches because you are responsible not only for your own patients but for supervising the rest of the team as well. It is hard work, but some nurses are handle it very ...