Interview for Acute Unit

[CFrancine, BSN, RN]

I'm an ICU nurse and I have an interview for an acute dialysis job on Monday. It's not part of a company, it's actually the hospital itself. I work for a large hospital system so this would be a transfer so I at least know the company. The job would cover 4 hospitals, the recruiter wasn't able to tell me if it was housed at one and I just floated/took call at the others as needed. I worked PRN in the acute unit at my current hospital so I have a small amount of dialysis experience. But since the new position is in a different region, it's new management and likely new procedures (they are working to standardize everything but who knows when that will happen).

What would you be sure to ask? I'm surely going to ask about the size of staff and how often you take call. With 4 hospitals, I hope they have at least a backup person.

Also, should I emphasize although I have experience and could run a treatment alone, that's really all I was trained to do? I didn't do much of the other stuff the nurses did (paperwork, calling Drs, making assignments, testing equipment, etc etc). I was just taught what to do so I could help in short staffing. I don't want them to think I am ready to hit the ground running but I don't want to count myself out if they're looking for experience. How would you sell yourself?

[AcuteHD]

I've been in the acute setting for a few years and like it, some days more than others. I wouldn't think they would expect you to know their forms and procedures off the bat, that should be part of OTJ training. Same goes for water testing. If you are blessed enough to have a tech then that probably won't be an issue, otherwise there's not a lot to it. You will be understaffed. I have no idea where you are, but I would just go ahead and expect that. Any questions about your workload will be given generalized answers. It's very rare that I get called in, but it's a small clinic about 80-100 tx per month. Also be financially prepared for feast or famine pay periods, I've had 18 hour days and 18 hour weeks. Good luck :-)

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

1.) Be sure to ask if the dialysis at any of the four hospitals is room to room, or has an actual inpatient tx area. This can be a game changer. Room to room dialysis can mean one is expected to work 16-18 shifts. Not only that, but you are shut in a patient room for four to five hours...this means you are a captive audience for any and all family and friends all day. :)

2.) Call is a big deal. Be sure to ask exactly how much call you will be required to take. More than two call shifts a week can be a recipe for burnout if these are busy hospitals. Keep in mind that call is usually taken on your "off" days. This means that while you might be technically scheduled for three shifts a week--two more nights of call mean you are effectively tied up five days a week, even if you are not called in. Six days a week if you **are** called in because you will be sleeping most of the following day...

3.) Acute dialysis is a blast...just be sure you know what you are getting into and how to make it work for you personally so that you are providing great care to the patients and service to the company, look forward to work, and still have your own life.

4.) Good luck and I hope it works out for you!

[Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN]

You can pretty much guarantee that you will be floated and you will be on call. If you know that going in you won't feel blind sided. Yes to everything the above poster said. Sitting in a room for hours makes the patient and visitors think you are there for their amusement. You have to be careful because it can be emotionally draining when people who are anxious and lonely want to talk to you for hours. But what's great about the job is the autonomy. You don't have to deal with politics and bullying co workers. You won't have people watching over you and tattling for trivial BS. In my experience, once renal doctors get to know you and trust you they generally treat you with respect and listen to your opinions. There is good and bad. You just have to decide if those things balance out for you.

And you will make a lot of money, which is nice if you have student loans or want to save up for a down payment on a house.