dialysis

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Thinking of changing my job. Thinking of going from ICu nursing to dialysis. But I do not know anything about dialysis nursing. Anyone out there that can tell me if I am doing the right change. Very nervous of change. Is dialysis nursing interesting or challenging?

:confused:

Originally posted by jmtmom

Congrats!!!

There is one RN and 1 - 2 techs per module. So the RN is responsible for six patients at a time. It's very busy and very fast paced.

:eek:

You're only responsible for SIX patients per shift?!?!?How cool is THAT?

In my clinic (3 shifts, MWF) I'm the ONLY RN - I charge and assist a tech with 5 patients while overseeing the rest of the floor (we're a 15 chair clinic), giving all the meds, functioning as clinical coordinator, vascular access coordinator, make rounds with the doc, etc..(and it's really not bad...these are my "light" days). And on tues/thurs I float to a larger one in downtown Atlanta that has 20 chairs where I am charge over the whole place, each tech has four chairs. I have one LPN who assists in the back (for 8-10 chairs) so I deal with assessments on my 8-10 plus I'm ultimately responsible for what happens with her bunch too; put on and take off 4 caths, give meds on all 20, basically run the show clinically (since the adminstrator has a business degree and no clinical background at all); make the necessary referrals and phone calls to ensure "quality patient care" (meaning I call the doc for emergencies and the social worker for patients who want to act out against the staff - it's a WILD clinic) and if the LPN winds up having to take a pod because a tech didn't show, then I'm doing assessments, giving meds, and putting on caths for EVERYBODY but her four. You call having 6 at a time plus 1-2 techs "busy and fast-paced"? GIRL! I am JEALOUS!!

:)

Wow!

Sounds like too much! I guess I should count my blessings. Maybe I find it a little overwhelming because I'm still so new. I'm learning the job pretty well, but I really don't care for the constant "hurry up" atmosphere. Get 'em on, get 'em off. I also don't care for being ultimately responsible for what the techs do. Don't get me wrong, there are some good techs. So good that it's a shame they're not licensed. But there are those who really don't care about the patients. All they care about is how fast they can get them on and off. I find my self running behind people making sure they have the right baths, making sure heparin pump syringe is in place, etc. They sign off of checking these things without really checking. I've caught errors quite a few times in my very short dialysis career.

I have a feeling that I will like acutes a little better because of the autonomy. I am responsible for the patient that I dialyze. But obviously I must gain more experience to be able to handle being alone in a one to one situation. Although, I think I probably COULD handle my self pretty well. Since everything wouldn't be rush, rush, rush, hurry, hurry, hurry. But, like they say, the grass is always greener....

What makes my job a challenge (at this early stage) is not that Mr. Jones' BP is low. It's that Mr. Jones' BP is low, AND Mr. Smith's dialyzer is clotted, AND Mrs. Green keeps moving her arm and setting off the arterial pressure alarm, AND Miss Thomas needs to come off so she can go to the bathroom, AND I haven't had a chance to draw up and pass my meds! Oh, and the tech is at lunch. And I'm still new. I've only been on my own for two weeks.

I had a hard day Saturday; can you tell?:)

I imagine things will get better. I remember feeling extermely overwhelmed when I started ICU as well, and things did get a lot better after about six months.

I like dialysis. I think I will like it more later.:p

Babs, how do you deal with all that you have to deal with??

New2nursing:

I'm sure you will get an interview. Nurses are needed everywhere. Plus you have an ICU background. When I interviewed, they really didn't ask me much, other than why I was leaving ICU, and could I deal with the paycut I was taking (I worked contingent in ICU at a higher hourly rate). It was almost as if I was interviewing THEM. I asked a lot of questions. Find out how many patients you would be responsible for at a time. What is the ratio of staff to patients. How many nurses/techs for how many patients? Will you be on call? How much overtime? It's good to read up on it some before you interview, although they won't drill you because they know you are new to dialysis. It's just nice to read for your own understanding of the process. The thing is, though, it's kind of hard to understand it until you're in it.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll do fine.

jmtmom, a bad day in dialysis is STILL easier than a good day in the ED.

Babs

Specializes in MS Home Health.

Off the topic, when I give platelets on the one arm machine it is always alarming due to venospasm. They like when I give but hate when I come LOL, since the alarms keep going off. I feel bad for them......

renerian

:eek: Thanks everyone for opening my eyes . I would like some input however on what to expect in the interview process. I will keep you up to date to what happens. I have my fingers crossed I will in the very least get an interview, but hopeful on getting a position.

:p

Hi everyone, I am looking to get a little insight to the interview process and what to expect should I get an interview in the next week. Can anyone tell me what you were asked, and what things they ask?

Thanks.....

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