Dialysis Nursing??

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro, Med-Surg, Tele.

Hi Everyone!

I have only posted a few times but have thoroughly enjoyed reading all that's out there!

I need some advice. Are any of you out there dialysis RNs? Work for DaVita specifically?

I'm a fairly new nurse (a little less than 2 years) and have worked on a very heavy med-surg floor, postop, ortho-neuro, etc etc etc. I feel like I've come a long way in a short time (esp at my age!) However, since I'm almost 50, I'm thinking I want to specialize. DaVita really appealed to me from the standpoint of being a Fortune 500 company with great training programs, no work on Sundays and not much on holidays. I've had an initial interview and I think they want to hire me. I'm going to shadow an RN at the center for a half day next week to get a real taste of what I would be doing.

What is holding me back is that it is almost 3 times the distance in drive time (as there is not currently an opening in my city). But I would work 3 days and not 4 and could also transfer if an opening became available closer to home. I also have 5 years in at the hospital I work (I worked in a non-nursing position before becoming RN).

I know it would be less hectic than my current position and that appeals to me. I'm just a little disenchanted with hospital floor work with the understaffing we have (work many times without aids, etc) and definitely don't want to be doing it as I really get older!

I would love any feedback from anyone that has been in dialysis, esp anyone who has worked for DaVita. It struck me as a nice atmosphere when I toured with them. An RN friend of mine said, "But do you want to work all day long with your patients hooked up to a machine?"

Any advice would be SO appreciated!!! Thanks in advance!!

:idea:

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I worked dialysis in-pt for a short time and liked it just fine. Left to finish school. Anyway, the pros are that you get to bond with your patient and the hours are more reasonable. The negatives are your patients are really, really sick. When there is an emergency it usually has a negative outcome. Everthing you do is out in the open, so that might be an issue for some folks. I liked the family atmosphere.

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I have been a R.N. since 1990, L & D, nursery & PP, for about 10 of that, I wanted off nights, and I switched over to do dialysis..

There is pros and cons... One we were on from 6:30 am till we were finished... sometimes 7 or 7:30 that night... I was on my feet the entire time except for a 20 minute break twice and 30 min lunch.. and going as fast as I could.. the patients had to get on in a timely manner to be able to get them off on a timely manner.. And the machines have to be ready for the patients to be put on on time.. then... anyway... the point is going as fast as I could the entire time... to get the patients on and off on time.... so I could get home in a timely manner...

I enjoyed the patients... got to know them and was close to them.. but physically it was the hardest job I have ever done.. I did it for year and a half and my cardiologist said enough is enough... So I left and now am in an office positon....... which I love...

Anyway.. this is just my 2 cents worth.. (it might help if you are properly staffed and don't have lazy ones in the mix)

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I'm dialysis trained and it just wasn't for me. The job in and of itself is allright. But as someone else posted it is hard on your body. Set up and tear down times you work flat out until it's done. We were expected to put in at least .5hour unpaid OT by coming in early to set up machines so they would be ready at 0700 for the first patient.

So: 06:30 -0830 run your ass off

catch your breath and pray no one goes sour from 0830 until 10:30 when they start coming off.

10:30-1400 take patients off, clean cycle machines, set up machine, hook up patient.

1400-1500 try and chart everything before the shift ended.

Our centre ran 07-23hr.

It's hard and fast. Some patients never talk to you other than to tell you to hurry up and get them on and off.

The patients are also very distrustful of new staff, irregardless of how much experience you have in nursing.

And yup we had service techs, but each PN and RN still had to string at least two machines per run.

Think it over and factor in your travelling time.

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I have been a dialysis nurse at a Davita outpatient clinic for 2 yrs, and I also left a hectic med-surg floor that was constantly understaffed. Dialysis is very different than any other field of nursing. One thing you should know is that it is very routine. Same thing each day with very few changes. I like this because I know what to expect, but not all do. Also, you get to know your patients because you see them every week, three times a week. It is not easy work. You will still be running a floor. Lots of strict policies and procedures. You are off on Sundays but holidays can be hectic. We recieve many traveling patients during the holidays, so while you are off Christmas and New Years day you are tired from the busy days before. As with anything there are pros and cons.

As for Davita, I think it is a good company to work for. I don't really have any complaints.

Hope this helped.

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I have worked in dialysis for over 12 years, in the chronic unit and inpatient hospital acute unit. Dialysis is extremely hectic, you can expect to be on your feet from the time you clock in until you clock out. I think a lot of folks in nursing think that changing to dialysis will be a lot less stressful physically and mentally, this couldn't be further from the truth. At our facility we just had two nurses who left dialysis after being in it about a year because of the pace and stress. One is returning to the ER and the other back to med surg, where they previously worked. Good luck on your decision.

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Specializes in Dialysis, Home Care, Hospice.

I was a dialysis nurse for 5 years. The pace can be absolutely frantic. It is physically demanding. You are on your feet all day sometimes 13-14 hours with short to no breaks some days. I've worked for 3 different clinics and 3 different companies. Also did a travel position for 13 weeks. Dialysis is dialysis. The good thing is there is always a demand for a truly experienced Dialysis nurse. The bad thing is that it is routine. I say 6 months before you have a clue what you are doing. There is a lot to learn about the machines and dialysis itself. I agree that a lot of nurses think getting into dialyis is an easier and less demanding job. It is not.....at all. I have also done acute treatments in the hospital. I was on call for ICU patients so you did one pt at a time, but you can't leave their side and 3-4 hours in a little room can be hell. Don't forget to pee before you go in. I hate to sound like I'm trying to talk you out of it but I want you to see what you could potentially deal with. I burned out. I had to get out and I will NEVER go back. If you go into a clinic to tour at a time when everyone has already been put on the machine it can seem quiet. Changover.........when the 1st or 2nd shift is coming off and you are getting the machines ready for the next shift of patients and starting their treatments......is the time to truly get the picture but you won't find many clinic managers giving you a tour during that time. Just think about it and if you do decide to do it, insist on a full and complete orientation. I've seen too many nurses get thrown into it before they are ready and they quit. You should have, in my opinion, no less than 8 weeks before you ever put a patient on by yourself. 12 weeks is better. There are so many little nuances to machines. You can hurt someone if you don't know what you are doing. I wish you good luck with your decision and no area of nursing has been what I would consider easier or less stressful than any other. They are just different stressors for different positions. Take care.

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Specializes in Ortho/Neuro, Med-Surg, Tele.

Thanks to everyone who responded to me! You don't know how much I appreciate your input. I am going to shadow a nurse next week for 3-4 hours at the DaVita center where I have applied. I don't expect it to be easy, and I can't believe how technical it all looks.

I have a feeling I will opt out on it due to the distance in traveling plus I am sincerely not dissatisfied with my current position, just looking at other opportunities.

Thank you again for your time

So sincerely,

Pie In Sky

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Specializes in Critical Care and ED.

Just give it a try and go with an open mind. It's the only way you'll truly know. I've been working for DaVita for the past year and a half and I love it! I feel truly lucky to have my job. I work for an acute team and spend most of my time in the ICU. I worked in the ICU for 5 years but quit due to ill health. I need a job where I can sit down for long periods and acute dialysis is a godsend to me. If I were you I'd get some experience in a clinic and then try to get into acute dialysis. It's a really good niche to get into.

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In Dialysis you either love it or hate it and you won't know until you try. I for one cant imagine working in any other environment again. 9 years ago I started my dialysis carer in the chronic setting and quickly moved in to the acute setting. I much prefer the acute setting but both are great. If you want to grow your base knowledge in nursing I cant think of a better place to do so as the Kidney affects every system in the body. I also enjoy the fact that I am surrounded by professionals that truly care about the patient not just high schoolers that are there for the pay check and the employers that continue to employ them because its cheap labor... but thats another forum.

I love it don' t know what I would do without it but I have seen many people come and go because it was just not the right fit.

hope it works out for you. as for the company you are looking at I can not comment because I have not worked for them. but I do know that they are for profit and I have had better job satisfaction with companys that are not for profit. it tends to go along with my views as to how a patient is treated.

Good Luck

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Specializes in Dialysis.

good luck to you. all points made by above posters are true. Fast-paced, exhausting, frustrating, routine, my nurses do A LOT of work. you basically have to keep up with ALL pt. appointments, surgeries, consults, not omention swim throough rivers of paperwork every day. it'll wear on ya.

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