Dialysis RNs?

[uscstu4lfe]

I'm looking for a "new job" as an RN and have been thinking about dialysis. Does anyone know if there's an overflow of these nurses? Underflow? Any input from anyone that might know would be appreciative!

And also, can any dialysis nurses tell me what it's like? I'm currently in Med-Surg... is it busier than med-surg?

[pricklypear]

natcat! isn't it great working w/a good team? i feel so lucky. i just hope my bubble doesn't burst!

uscstu4lfe - try calling directly to clinics in the area. i work for fresenius, whom i know is hard up in certain places, but you wouldn't know that from doing a job search. it's very strange.

[Aquamarine]

I have read many pro and cons for dialysis nursing, davita, fersenius, private owners, acute care in hospitals, and many others. I think it depends on each individual unit, the management can make or break a place.

Trying something new in nursing isn't such a risk because there are jobs everywhere if you decide against it later. I think it will mainly depend on the unit manager, how fair she is, how good she is at staffing, how good are your techs? and your coworkers....that can vary from place to place.

I like dialysis. Yes the patients are non-compliant to what is best for them but it is a tough road for them. they do fairly well even with non compliance if you notice that. They probably double the doctors order on diet and still their numbers come out pretty good. You can't hold non-compliance against a patient, "walk a mile in my shoes"...?? could we do it?? Just have to encourage them to do better and give suggestions....as a long time nurse in dialysis I can see where it can get monotonous, tough at times, you run...and I also lost weight working my first year, 20 # I had been wanting to lose. It is tough on your back, we are getting a hoyer...nothing like more things to slow up getting the patients on the machines and off so the next shift can get on!! I will not transfer a patient that I know will hurt my back. If I lose my job and save my back then it is a good day! There are plenty of people around that love to be heros, and I let them. I do love most all the patients. There are a few that get a little crazy but they have psych issues, on top of being terrified of the dialysis, you have to understand, and can't take that personal. It is stressful at times, but all nursing is. The hours aren't ideal but bearable if you don't work 5 days.

It is tough at first, a lot of details to know, but after a year or two you can be an expert quite easily. The pay also depends on the unit manager.That can be very unfair. My unit manager gives her friends good raises and no matter how hard you work night after night, how far above the call of duty you go...you will get the 30cent raise, and her friends get over a 1.00. The thing is you can stay, or you can go...doesn't matter. There isn't a union to protect you and make things fair.

Techs? now that is an issue. Some of them haven't an ambition in thier entire body, and if the unit doesnt demand certification for them....guess what...they have nothing to lose and they are the ones sticking patients on your licence. All I can say is watch them carefully, make sure the machine is set up properly, everythng is on right, make sure you don't pre-intial anything you have not checked for yourself. I am telling you this from experience.

A RN couldn have gotten in serious trouble because of a tech using her passcode in the computer. Don't do it. Don't be careless with your license that you worked so hard for.

We also get behind schedule. I do not let that take away from the safety of my patients. I do everything the way I would if I wasn't behind schedule. Anyone can get angry, upset...I don't care, no short cuts for my patients, only quality care.

I have heard a lot of pros for acute care, and I didn't like being on call...so different strokes for different folks.

You can usually bargain for pay, I didn't know that...and the raises aren't enough to buy an extra pair of sneakers in a years time, not if your don't hang out and smoke with the boss outside. that is where the bonding with the boss takes place.

It is a good skill to know, you can try it out and take it somewhere else if you want, or stay and make the best of whatever the situation is. I had to decide what to get upset about or not. I close, pick up everyone's garbage for the day...no kidding. They don't have to do it so they don't, I won't leave my place a mess so I do it. I decided to only make patient safety my priority, the rest I just put up with for now.

And what company isn't after the bottom line? Making money isn't a crime but still have to be safe and fair to employees. I can't believe any company isn't there to make money as their number one priority. The state health depts make patient safety the number one priority and the company has to figure out how to comply and still make money, not lose too many employees, etc. That must be the same everywhere.

I worked in a hospital and the floor supervisor RN make a profit on what she didn't spend in her unit, so she ran us short constantly, on a telemetry floor, you killed yourself and prayed you didn't kill a patient!! And she didn't use per diems...so how is that better. Again, it depended on the integrity of the supervisor. I don't think that reality would shock most nurses. It is the way it is.

That leads me to the famours "nursing shortage". Is that a true shortage? or a shortage of RNs that won't work in a place that puts money before patients, and money before their nurses that they have no respect for?? And do they call their per diems...?? or run short.

I worked in another place where they were praying over the loud speaker and treating nurses like dogs, and that reflects on patient care.

You have to find your spot, where you can do good, where you can tolerate management so you can be all you can be for the patient.

Today a nurse is a good nurse in spite of it all. That must be part of the title...to do good in spite of it all...and that is what I try to do. It is sad when your intentions are so good, but there are ways to accomplish what you set out to do the day you got your license.

[Aquamarine]

Hmmm... well I searched for jobs on the Davita website, but it shows that there are no openings in the SoCal area. I hope that's just an error as I hear they are hard up for nurses!

If I were you I would stop in their units and give the secretary your resume, or mail them to the FA, facility administrator and do a follow up phone call. I think every unit must be short or will be looking shortly. There is a big turnover.

Good luck...Read everything you can on hemodialysis, the labs, etc. Go in with a good knowledge for the interview.