I just recently started on a dialysis unit. I'm an RN with a couple years experience in Sub-acute, LTC, Psych, and Detox. I just finished up my class and just started with my preceptor. I feel so discouraged. I consider myself a good nurse and have excellent organizational skills. I can handle charge on a unit with 40 patients including a med pass/Tx/orders/rounds or handle charge/meds/orders/rounds on a 34 bed detox/rehab unit with ease..handle 2 patients in dialysis?..not even close::sigh::. I really like it too. I'm really unsure if I should quit. I have had 3 weeks of class(3 days/wk) and clinical(2days/wk). I can handle the basics and can set up machines and put one person on and take one off..and repeat for one patient but I guess I should be able to handle more at this point. I had two(and have 3 weeks to get comfortable with 3) with my preceptor today and couldn't get them both off and the machines stripped and set-up and new people on in a timely manner. I was getting so overwhelmed and forgetting steps. I drill and drill on the steps to every procedure with my sig other several times a night too. I left there shaking today. You have to go so fast, I'm scared I'm going to do something wrong and really hurt someone. I'm supposed to go back monday to start 3 weeks with my preceptor (4 days a week), I don't even know if I should. I'm sick to my stomache over it. I never even felt like this as a new grad. I love the speciality. I can tell if I could learn the job this is the speciality I would retire from. I can't tell if I'm just inept and unable to work in this area or if most people feel this way and have so much trouble. Has anyone else felt like this?
I have been in dialysis for almost 6 years now. The first year I started, I wanted to quit every day that I went to work. Everyone told me that it takes at least a year to feel confident in the job. It's really true. Also, I never have really mastered taking on 4 patients at a time. I saw the PCT's who could handle a turnover so well, and I felt like a total flop. But I kept telling myself that if they could come in off the street and learn this job, surely I could too. I just became determined that I would not let the job get the best of me. Now I am really glad that I stuck it out. RN's in dialysis usually do not work the floor all the time. You need to know how to take patients in case someone does not come in one day, but your job will primarily be supervising the PCT's and taking care of meds, reviewing labs (you will probably learn later how to dose epogen and zemplar and maybe IV iron). Don't despair too much, it will get better!
Specializes in Psych, Chem Dependency, Occ. Health.
Thank you to everyone who was so helpful and encouraging to me. I did resign my position. It just wasn't for me. I have since accepted a position as a nurse educator and am doing some per diem in assisted living and still am per diem in Chemical dependency/psych. I think it has worked out for the best. Once again thank you. You guys Rock!
I'm a nurse manager in dialysis and have worked dialysis for 10 years. One of the good things about nursing is we can try different areas and find our niche. I admire you for hanging in there, but if a job stressed me out that badly, I doubt I would have stayed. I've seen a lot of people come and go in dialysis, and that's ok. It's not for everyone. I worked in the OR for several years, and it was the same way there, a lot to learn and scary to a new person. I thought I would never learn it. Then one day it just clicked. Anyway, whatever you decide to do, good luck.
workingmomRN
116 Posts
I have been in dialysis for almost 6 years now. The first year I started, I wanted to quit every day that I went to work. Everyone told me that it takes at least a year to feel confident in the job. It's really true. Also, I never have really mastered taking on 4 patients at a time. I saw the PCT's who could handle a turnover so well, and I felt like a total flop. But I kept telling myself that if they could come in off the street and learn this job, surely I could too. I just became determined that I would not let the job get the best of me. Now I am really glad that I stuck it out. RN's in dialysis usually do not work the floor all the time. You need to know how to take patients in case someone does not come in one day, but your job will primarily be supervising the PCT's and taking care of meds, reviewing labs (you will probably learn later how to dose epogen and zemplar and maybe IV iron). Don't despair too much, it will get better!