sunfirebsn

sunfirebsn has 6 years experience and specializes in Dialysis.

Latest Activity

1. cannulation

   sunfirebsn replied to gambutrol's topic in Urology

   The most important thing is to take the time to assess the fistula/graft carefully with your fingers and stethoscope before you put the needle in. It pays to take a few extra minutes doing this instead of spending 20 minutes fixing a bad needle or ha...

2. What should EVERY nurse know about Dialysis

   sunfirebsn replied to Twink's topic in Urology

   There was a patient in a clinic I worked at who was on a 1K bath for at least 3 years, she is probably still on it today. Her K was normally over 6 with labs. Under 6 was a miracle! Dietary education from everyone was no use.

3. scope of practice for LPN as a dialysis nurse

   sunfirebsn replied to MrsNjoro's topic in Urology

   You would have to check with the clinic you are working at to get your full scope of practice, they should be able to provide you with a full job description. Rules are different depending on company and state you are in. Where I am work, the LPN we ...

4. Will I like dialysis?

   sunfirebsn replied to KiddieMom's topic in Urology

   The dialysis machines can be very intimidating at first, it just takes time to learn them as with anything. It takes about 6 -12 months to feel comfortable in dialysis which is definitely true! There is a lot of new information that just takes time t...

5. New grad - possible to start in dialysis?

   sunfirebsn replied to NooNieNursie's topic in Urology

   It is definitely possible to get hired into dialysis without any experience. I would say it would be best to get a little hospital experience first, since there can be critical issues in the clinic at times and having some experience can help you the...

6. Reading, PA area?

   sunfirebsn posted a topic in Pennsylvania

   Hi, I am thinking of relocating to the Reading area for a job, more specifically the Reading Hospital. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the area or currently works there? I have read some things that say crime is a big problem there and...

7. New Perm caths and bleeding issues...

   sunfirebsn replied to TigerGalLE's topic in Urology

   When patients get a temp cath placed at the hospital and come to the clinic for dialysis there is usually some blood on the dressing. The next few treatments they usually have some dried blood on their dressing and around the insertion site. I think ...

8. Stethoscope Help

   sunfirebsn replied to studentnurse4964's topic in Uniform/Gear

   I would definitely go with the Littman brand, I have used other cheaper ones at work and found my Littman to be sooo much better. I have never used an Ultrascope though. Don't forget to get an ID tag for it and don't set it down for too long!

9. A PA hospital that will pay for schooling

   sunfirebsn replied to mandykeillor's topic in Career Support

   Look into the UPMC hospitals...I believe Shadyside has a nursing program. West Penn Hospital & Ohio Valley as well. Good luck!

10. What do you lack dialysis catheters with?

    sunfirebsn replied to chatty-rn's topic in Urology

    We currently use 1:5000 unit strength Heparin for the catheters, used to use 1:10,000 unit strength until a few months ago after the Dennis Quaid baby heparin issue and then I guess some of the 1:10,000 vials were recalled so our clinics switched to ...

11. Have you gone to patient's funeral?

    sunfirebsn posted a topic in Urology

    Hi all, I have been working happily (usually) haha as an RN in Dialysis for almost a year now and this question popped into my head. We have a small clinic, so this gives you a chance to really get to know the patients, which I enjoy doing. They are...

12. NCLEX RN today. I must be really dumb.

    sunfirebsn replied to ZZTopRN's topic in NCLEX

    Hi, I took my NCLEX on the 12th of this month and passed with 162 questions. I was expecting it to shut off around 75 or 100 like what mostly everyone I knew was getting & passing with. So, I was beginning to feel a little frustrated after 130 ...

13. No calcuation questions on NCLEX, help!

    sunfirebsn replied to Ashleyhoney's topic in New Nurse

    Hi, I took NCLEX for the first time this month on the 12th and passed with about 162 questions. Alot of people I know who passed had about 75, so I thought mine would be shutting off around there or around 100. So, I thought for sure I was going to...

14. Anyone hate their first job?

    sunfirebsn replied to Jayla's topic in General Nursing

    I am currently in my first job- been there since February, and I'm going to put my 2 week notice in tomorrow. It is on an ortho/neuro floor which has turned into mostly med/surg at times, which is want I didn't want to do after graduation but wanted...

15. new grad in over head

    sunfirebsn replied to martymoose's topic in New Nurse

    Hi, as a fellow GN that graduated in December as well and started work in February too, I feel compelled to reply! I am working on a ortho/neuro unit in the hospital where I went to school at, and it is pretty overwhelming!! We do not deal with m...