Peritoneal dialysis...what is a typical day like for a pd rn?

NurseRies, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2013

What is a typical day like for a pd rn i applied for the job with the mind set that the job was about going to different homes to educate about pd, but the more i look into it, it looks like i will be working from the clinic, not at other's homes. I can't find much about pd home dialysis, is there anyone else that works for pd home dialysis that could fill me in? I will be working for davita. Thanks[/quote']
From knowing PD nurses, never been one myself, it seems like they're on the phone a lot. They work from an office, regular business hours, and have a specific number of patients to keep up with. Each patient comes to see you at the clinic once a month, unless there are problems. You will be teaching a class maybe weekly or more, or less if its a small program. You will teach to people with kidney disease who are trying to make choices about which modality to choose once their kidneys fail. You may also educate other staff members, or to hemodialysis patients that are looking for more independence. I don't think PD nurses go into people's homes. If people are having strange symptoms or a problem with their catheter, they can come see you and them you can call the doctor for antibiotics, perhaps a declot for catheter, or could send them to the hospital. I had a PD nurse tell me once that it was really gross sometimes when patients brought you their monthly sample of the "waste" fluid. You test it for electrolytes and other things. Again, I haven't done it myself, but I considered the job opportunity and talked to a few nurses who have done it. You have to like education and you have to be self motivated. The plus side is normal business hours, no on call, and pretty decent pay!

RN625 · Jul 5, 2013

The only time we go to the homes is to screen for safety, help them get organized or if there is a problem. We Are on the phone a lot; case-managing these patients. They come to our clinic 2 x monthly, once for labs/assessment & later to see the MD. We do a lot of education, both ongoing education about their ESRD diet,infection control,medication, fluid balance, etc. &&& new patients who are just learning how to do their PD. It is regular hours, we do have a call phone for problem solving, etc. Your patients can be very stable or having difficulties, sometimes related to all the comorbidities that many of them have.

I was a hemodialysis nurse for over 25yrs. I came to PD 2 years ago & love it. It is very good for nurses who like looking at the "big picture" and working independently but in close contact with your Nephrologists.

AreN4lyfe, ADN, RN · Mar 3, 2018

Thank you 625 for the insight. I will be starting as a PD nurse in the next couple weeks. What attracted me to PD was the opportunity to educate, case manage, and better hours ( I don't function well after 5/6 pm regardless of caffeine intake). I like looking at the big picture like you mentioned, which I think, is often ignored in the acute setting - thats what case mgmt is for. I'm excited though, any tips?

OP - Did

you get the position? How did you or do you like it?