How to get into Dialysis Nursing?

magg_ot2 · Jan 27, 2005

Hello. I am graduating in September and am looking into getting into dialysis. What do you think of a new grad going into dialysis? Do you think more hands on skills and experience is needed before going into this specialty? Renal is an area that has interested me throughout nursing school, especially dialysis. I have had a company continuously call me to interview which does make me worry that they are desperate- but besides that I do think dialysis is neat and plan on shadowing for a day. Any other suggestions to know whether it is right for me? Thanks for your help!

Yeah dialysis is neat. i went around the hospital like med-surg, Ob-gyne, NICU..i tried all the areas of nursing that interest me most and finally i'm into dialysis..it helps me a lot learning from other areas as well. Be where ever you are comfortable working and it pays a lot..

dialysis manager · Jul 30, 2005

Juanay,

I am a manager for Fresenius and I am glad that you posted this. I am happy to see that you like dialysis. I think that it is a very rewarding job. I have all types of openings in my area and strive hard to find qualified people to fill the positions. Dialysis is one of those areas that you either like it or you don't and some positions and areas are very hard to fill. Keep up the good work and stay in dialysis because we need more people like you. Also continue to tell people how well you like it and maybe we will get others to come on board.

Still looking for a few good people!!!!!!

Hi Nursing 04,
I have been a dialysis nurse for 3 years, 1 year as travel. Dialysis nurses should have a wide variety of knowledge that includes set-up, breakdown, troubleshooting machines. I have worked in units where the tech's setup/breakdown the machines and also where the nurse has 4 machines of her own to turn over during shift change. I have also been in units where the tech's were responsible for all water tx, and in units where the RN is responsible for water tx as it is part of the pt RX.
Dialysis nurses are responsible for making sure the pt's RX is followed. The nurse does a pre-intra-and post assessment. We are responsible for cannulating, or cath access care. We give meds, calculate for Epo changes per HCT. We call the MD when problems arise, we round with the MD, address DW changes, schedule appt's, check all the machines to make sure the goals, Na, profiling, UF are set appropriately for each pt.
Usually their is a Biomed person on call and back up machines available in the event one goes down. In the unit I am currently working in there has been a large staff turnover. We have 11 new employees including a new clinic manager. This is a Fresenius unit. I love it here. Everyone has been great. We have 15 machines. Tech's are 5/1 and RN's 10/1 but we usually have 5/1 with the RN's which makes for a less stressful turnover.
Hope this helps.
Juanay

sherryg0 · Aug 21, 2005

The question you should ask yourself is: Am I a stickler for detail? If so dialysis is for you, if not maybe not.

The starting pay in the pool at the hospital is $28 per hour and $30 after you complete your training.

The hours are Mon-Wed-Fri 6a to 5p.

Email me privately if you are interested.

I'm in Los Angeles, Ca and have no idea what's the starting pay for a new RN although I currenty work in a hospital. What are the hours usually for MWF? Is dialysis nursing also good for travel nursing? Oh I know I have lots to know yet it's because I'm super interested.

curlyfries · Sep 12, 2005

Nephrology has been my area of interest for a long time since I myself am a patient. I had two kidney transplants, first one lasted me 15 years, the second one was recently done last June 2005. Prior to transplant I was on home P.D.

I am looking forward to be working with renal patients when I get my RN license! But I have couple years before that happens. Meanwhile we can learn from each other, me being a renal patient.

Moi