Nursing student w/ Dialysis Nursing employment

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · May 15, 2004

Well, I'm a dialysis nurse. You need to be technically inclined. The machines can be complicated. There is a lot of blood in dialysis, so it would help to not be squeemish. Quite a few dialysis pts have HIV, HBV, HCV, etc. There is a lot of pressure move quickly in dialysis. Don't let the pressure make you forget to use your universal precautions. You don't want to be exposed to these viruses.

Dialysis staff, in chronics, anyway, stand on their feet 10-12 hrs and day, and do a lot of heavy lifting, so that can't be a problem.

I would recommend working in a smaller clinic, 20 chairs or less. The large clinics can be very chaotic and stressful. Good assessment skills are essential. You must continually assess and reassess your pts throughout their tx. Being able to spot trouble before it occurs, and prevent problems with your pts is very important, as well.

Peritoneal dialysis is growing, as most pts do much better on it than they do on hemo, and PD is much more profitable.

Why not see if you can observe the nurses and techs at a local clinic?

Nursing N 2004 · May 15, 2004

well, i'm a dialysis nurse. you need to be technically inclined. the machines can be complicated. there is a lot of blood in dialysis, so it would help to not be squeemish. quite a few dialysis pts have hiv, hbv, hcv, etc. there is a lot of pressure move quickly in dialysis. don't let the pressure make you forget to use your universal precautions. you don't want to be exposed to these viruses.
dialysis staff, in chronics, anyway, stand on their feet 10-12 hrs and day, and do a lot of heavy lifting, so that can't be a problem.
i would recommend working in a smaller clinic, 20 chairs or less. the large clinics can be very chaotic and stressful. good assessment skills are essential. you must continually assess and reassess your pts throughout their tx. being able to spot trouble before it occurs, and prevent problems with your pts is very important, as well.
peritoneal dialysis is growing, as most pts do much better on it than they do on hemo, and pd is much more profitable.
why not see if you can observe the nurses and techs at a local clinic?

:) thank you so much!!!! i really appreciate your insight. i have a friend whose mother, that i am also close too, that has been a dialysis nurse for years and years...said that they would love for me to come work there when i am finished. i am trying to find out if i can "shadow" there and see if i would like it and be at any help!!! i can do anything its just finding where i would be most useful.....not sure if i should be so undecided where to go..............................but lately i am! thanks again :)

michelle