Can't stand dialysis

dialysisnurseLC · Oct 4, 2012

I would give it some time... I felt the same way my first few weeks especially after not getting all of my training but as time passed (about 6 months) I loved it and still do.. Right now I'm IN School to get my RN (I'm an LPN) so I just work during my school breaks. My team mates can be mean etc but most of the time they have other issues going on and we can talk through it. That would be my best advice. Also it's good to get a year's experience under your belt.... Good luck!

Tfunke25 · Oct 4, 2012

Thank you! I know its good to get experience, but wow! I really will try to hold out, but I don't know how much more I can take it. Everyday I do in telling myself that I will find something I like about this job, but end up hating it more. I have never felt this way about a job before. Maybe b/c its my first nursing job, I dunno.

How are you liking RN school?

dialysisnurseLC · Oct 5, 2012

Rn school is a challenge... But I'm up to it and I've made lots of new friends! Getting used to studying all over again and balancing school and home life is the biggest challenge! I was literally thrown out there In dialysis I got about 5 weeks of training when ur supposed to have about 10-12! I could have easily quit and I wanted to so bad but I stuck it out and when I got ready to do school again (after a year) I applied for other jobs that would better work with my school schede... My phone was ringing off the hook for interviews.. So it's good to get that year in! I now also work for the hospice jn my area on fri and sat nights. Like I said earlier my intent is to work at my dialysis unit during my breaks... But hang in there girl!!! If it gets too bad talk it out with someone u trust at the clinic... There is a whole lot of different things u can do with dialysis... Explore those options as well so maybe u. An have something to look forward to while ur working... I.e getting more experience so u can become a trainer or something

Guttercat, ASN, RN · Oct 5, 2012

So you hate the workplace, the work itself, your coworkers, and the patients?

Sit down and have a discussion with yourself about the reasons you "hate" so many aspects of it. Many new RN's hate their first position fresh out of school. It's culture shock.

And, let's face it, dialysis patients can be an extraordinarily difficult, challenging population. Don't worry about making them "see the light", or to start thinking rationally and following treatment plans. Some do, some don't. The best you can do is educate and let them decide. Approaching it that way does a couple things. 1.) it takes the emotional burden off you 2.) it frees you up to just enjoy the person hooked to that machine, warts and all.

Maybe ask some of the other RN's why they are there, and what they like about it to give you some perspective.

If you've thoroughly sorted out emotion vs facts, and still find yourself hating dialysis itself (not the workplace or your coworkers) then maybe it's time to make an exit. No shame in that.

Good luck.

Tfunke25 · Oct 6, 2012

Guttercat, I think it's dialysis itself that I don't like. The patients are ok sometimes and so are my coworkers, but even if they were perfect I would still be unhappy there. I've heard that sometimes it depends on your unit, which I think has a lot to do with it, but I would not consider moving to another one. I just don't think dialysis is right for me, but I don't want to leave after only 2 months especially since I don't have any other nursing experience and it will be hard for me to find a job. I really don't know what to do.

allnurses Guide · Oct 6, 2012

Don't quit.

Try to hang in there for the experience.

You've only been doing this for two months-- not nearly enough time to build confidence and skills.

Trust me, most new nurses suffer terribly in the beginning.

I remember having panic attacks, diarrhea, nausea... oh, and wishing I'd I'd crack a hip or something so I wouldn't have to work.

You have to keep at it and get past the New Nurse Blues.

I tried to view it the same way I viewed nursing school: this, too, shall pass!

One thing that helped me was to envision myself as being tough!

I rammed steel down my spine and reminded myself, "I have only to get through this one day!"

When you make it through the day and the shift is over, give yourself a good pat on the back.

Think of how good you feel that you didn't just quit, but met a challenge.

Give yourself a year before you decide to fly the coop.

Who knows... maybe in a year you won't want to quit.

And if you still do... you've got a year of experience under your belt.

Good luck!

Trauma Columnist · Oct 6, 2012

I think going to dialysis as a first nursing job is hard. It's highly technical but very repetitive. It takes almost a yr to become proficient though. I vote to stick it out. I will be honest though. I would never have been a happy dialysis RN. As an APN doing dialysis rounding I have much more autonomy and much more varied duties as well as going to different units.

Marshall1 · Oct 6, 2012

Dialysis is one of those areas of nursing that people either hate it or love it...that being said, I while I agree everyone should give a position a fair chance, I don't agree with staying at ANY job that a person knows definitively they hate/makes them physically/mentally/emotionally sick for a year or whatever "magic" number. If you feel and have felt this way on a consist basis and then I suggest looking around for something else - be honest in the other interviews - tell them dialysis is not for you. Every nurse that has any time under her or his belt has worked an area they would not go back into so it shouldn't be a huge deal to whomever you are interviewing with. You can tell them you realize you've been there a short time but it's been long enough to know this flavor of nursing is not for you and you are actively seeking something more inline with what you want and to allow this position to open for someone else. Good luck!

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2012

I think if you really hate it so much, find another job and move on. I do not advocate leaving so soon but if it is affecting your life and your health-then no job is worth it!

In dialysis it takes a long time to settle down, as a new nurse it takes at least a year to become competent in any area of nursing.

Move on and do not be hard on yourself, we all find areas of nursing which we dislike, the beauty of our profession is that we can move around until we find somewhere we fit!

merlee · Oct 6, 2012

Are you doing chronic, outpatient dialysis? I hated that, too, but LOVED inpatient, acute dialysis. A completely different animal! Start looking for an inpatient job, in a big busy hospital.

Dialysis isn't an easy job to master, and some people will never enjoy it. If it isn't fun, it isn't for you. Even when there were stupid things going on with the personnel, I loved what I was doing.

If you are truly miserable, find something else to do. Your mental and physical health have to come first.

Best wishes, truly all the best.

Chisca, RN · Oct 6, 2012

I would get out if I were you. You risk becoming totally disenchanted with nursing and ending your career before it gets started. I would guess you aren't even being allowed to practice nursing as you are working in an assembly line factory. Any environment in which the profitabilty of the company is the highest value is not going to be one that rewards good nursing care. Alot of nurse managers that would hire you will understand why you left, it's not for everyone, especially a new grad. I love dialysis but developed really strong clinical skills in ICU before I set foot in a dialysis unit. Outpatient dialysis is not going to allow you the space you need to grow. Good luck.