Help!!!! need to choose between Dialysis or LTC

sctraveler · Jan 11, 2009

Hi Faith,

I am sorry that you have this dilemma. Hopefully this will help. I have worked dialysis and LTC and I think that dialysis is your best choice. I am currently working as a traveler in chronic units and there are no boring days. The things done in the unit are a little routine such as stringing machines, giving pt meds, md rounds, and dealing with scheduling appts. Majority of dialysis pts are very sick and your assessment skills are very important. I have learned things from the doctors and very knowledgeable coworkers. Although the work is routine each day will bring something new. Some units do blood transfusions and I actually ran my first code in a chronic unit. A little bit of excitement here and there and the days go by really fast. Dialysis units are really busy. Whereas, LTC was routine and boring most of the time. I did enjoy getting to know the pts and their families. Most days I finished with my routine work around 10 or 11 in the morning and the rest of the day was spent dealing with coworkers on the unit and the crazy people in administration. I worked LTC for 11 years and I feel as though most of that was time wasted and I lost a lot of my skills. I know that I was doing a great service and it worked for me at the time. You need to do what is best for you but in my opinion I feel that dialysis is your best choice considering your future plans. I hope the best for you whatever you decide to do.

Faith25 · Jan 11, 2009

WOW, you really nailed it! I can really sense you know what you are talking about through your experience. It loks like I wll be leaning towards working in the dialysis center. It is a very busy outpatient dialysis center full tome with 4 10 hour shifts. I don't know what i'm getting into but i'm willing to learn.

soulofme · Jan 13, 2009

Ive worked in both areas...and I keep coming back to dialysis...I'll take it over LTC any day. I work my butt off in dialysis. LTC was boring to me.

sissib · Jan 13, 2009

After working in both, I will take dialysis anyday! We are busy all day and not always crazy but dialysis can keep you on your toes. Those patients can go bad very fast. Your nursing assessment skills and IV skills will be the ones you will use the most. Ltc is repetitious and boring, lot of accuchecks, insulins, and creams to heels and butts plus putting up with the administrative bull. In dialysis you can actually concentrate on using your nursing skills. I will retire if someone told me I haaaavvvvvveee to work in LTC again. I love it in dialysis. Good luck with whatever you decide!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2009

Dialysis. LTC is heart-breaking and unrewarded. Even the love of the residents doesn't belie the feeling of impotence and shoveling sand against the tide.

Faith25 · Jan 13, 2009

After working in both, I will take dialysis anyday! We are busy all day and not always crazy but dialysis can keep you on your toes. Those patients can go bad very fast. Your nursing assessment skills and IV skills will be the ones you will use the most. Ltc is repetitious and boring, lot of accuchecks, insulins, and creams to heels and butts plus putting up with the administrative bull. In dialysis you can actually concentrate on using your nursing skills. I will retire if someone told me I haaaavvvvvveee to work in LTC again. I love it in dialysis. Good luck with whatever you decide!

I'm more than likely going to lean towards the dialysis position. I like the fact that you said I will use mostly my assesment and IV skills. Also that a patient can go bad very fast therefore I can use critical thinking skills and act accordingly.

When I did my clincals in LTC I thought it was dreadful and sad. The nurses kept their hears in the MAR and then picked it up to go and give the patients their meds. I thought to myself not me not now!

Many people said it depends on your LTC facility but I think thats most facilities.