Zeek LPN

We have had patients with a peritoneal dialysis catheter that can be drained as well. They don't necessarily have to be on dialysis to have this type of catheter as a long term access. It is double cuffed - one cuff under the skin and one further d...

I had a "devastating" fracture of my femur almost 2 years ago. Then had the screw at the base of the rod break when I started walking on it which shortened my leg by 2 cm. I am in pain every day as well. I really can't do much of anything includin...

Although I have limited experience with CRRT, part of the anticoag issue is whatever the MD is comfortable with. We tend to use more citrate, but it needs to be reversed before the blood goes back to the patient which requires additional pumps, meds...

You can go to the ANNA (American Nephrology Nurses Assoc.) website to find information about hemodialysis. I am not aware of anything that DaVita has for CE credits, but I know that Fresenius does offer courses as well. I work for DCI and you will ...

I am in the dialysis field and we look at primarily secondary HPT. PTH secretion is tied to serum calcium levels but magnesium can exert a similar effect. Low levels (hypomagnesemia) can cause an increase in PTH secretion leading to low calcium lev...

When I started in dialysis in 1985 we wore street clothes and did not use gloves. We held bleeding needle sites with just gauze and frequently had blood on our hands. Even when using a face shield, I have been splashed up under it by a wayward fist...

I have heard that the blood flow only goes to 250 or 300 which is not high enough for conventional dialysis. I guess it would be OK in a hospital setting or maybe a daily home unit though.

Others that have posted here are correct about the venous pressure staying the same or similar. Here is why: TMP (Transmembrane Pressure) is calculated by using the current venous pressure and the dialysate pressure (which, if pulling fluid should ...

The last time I lost it with a Nurse Manager was when she insisted I was the one responsible for all the infections in our unit. She was yelling at me and had her finger in my face at which time I told her politely to remove the finger or it would b...

I know that they have in the past used a lot of travel people, so you may be able to find a job in that market. I wish you luck over there!!

I live in Montana and have horses. They are my sanity! I can trailer 15 - 30 minutes from my house and be lost in the woods for a day! The only thing that relaxes me and makes me feel free of life's encumbrances...

I have found you will either love it or hate it. I love it because you get to know your patients and can pick up on subtle clues that you may not be able to see on the floor. I use all my assessment skills and then some for these patients. I've be...

Welcome to the family! But seriously - this company is really great to work for. I have worked in independent out patient hemo; for profit centers and hospital based units and have really been able to see a difference. I love that DCI puts profits...

At most units the patients are given an ESA (Erythropoesis Stimulating Agent) which helps them to build red blood cells as their kidney no longer produces erythropoetin; IV iron products to help them make the red cells; the activated form of Vitamin ...

And you forgot to add One upper Opal - the nurse that has had whatever you or her patients have, but so much worse! This thread is awesome!!

I have an awesome Chiropractor who I have worked with for 7 years now. I have had 3 prior back surgeries from lifting and general life. Those helped with the acute pain, but not the chronic pain I have endured since then. 2 different people told m...

Most places of employment have a policy that covers you as long as you work in that facility. If you choose to leave for any reason or get fired, you no longer work there and the hospital no longer insures you. What if, the following year, someone ...

Most companies have a "claims made" policy that only covers you if you still work for the company. Should you change jobs, you are no longer covered, but can still be sued. Check and see what type of malpractice insurance they carry. I always have...

Your manager is trying to bully you into staying per HER guidelines. You have done nothing wrong. I have worked with people like that as well and was at my wits end before they left. Things are better now. I agree with kp2016 to look into the gui...

I have worked for 2 non-profit stand alone clinics and then Fresenius and now DCI. I have also travelled and worked with Fresenius as well. I have not worked for Davita at all. I do really like DCI the best. The company's founder is still around, ...

The machines haven't changed that much in my opinion. I think you will be fine. You are right, your skills will need to be fine tuned, but you will start remembering once you start working. If they are kind to you, they'll give you a preceptor for...

I have been in the field of dialysis for 35 years so I did not do a practice test. From my perspective, the NNCC does not care about where you get your CEU's from as long as they meet the guidelines and are from an accredited organization. My curre...

We have a counter off the main floor that we set our drinks on. You don't say, but I am assuming that this is outpatient hemodialysis. I would talk with your manager and see if there is somewhere you can leave a drink that won't make you be off the...

I would like to add that being a dialysis nurse is stressful as well. You may be in charge of 12 patients and the technicians that do the actual care. It seems that some people have the idea is that you just put them on and take them off and it's n...

Beachbabe86 - I am currently in Montana. Have practiced in Washington state, done some travel nursing in Indiana, N. Carolina and Kentucky then came back and settled here. I really love it! And I have been doing this a few years so I guess that qu...