Mastersby2011

Hi, don't know what renal care group is like but I do work for Fresenius and they are ok. I agree with one of the other posting, most of the time it tends to be about profit. I have worked in dialysis 15 years and love it. It is a great field. I have found over the years though it takes about a year to really understand why you do what you do in dialysis (labs, machine settings, etc) and you will either love it or hate it. Try it out, if you decide you don't like it then find something else. Everyone has at least one specialty they fall in love with, sometimes it just takes awhile. Good luck.:)

My clinic gives the antibiotic by pump over the last hour if it is not dialyzed out or immediately after if it is. They wanted us to direct drip it through and the nurses all had a fit. We felt it was unsafe. Good luck with your unit.

I understand fully, I have turned down two jobs for the exact same reason. My patients need me. I know that one of these days I will end up leaving due to issues at my current employer but I will miss them so much. Even though you left you can still stop by and say hello and check on them. Maybe there is an acute unit near you where you can still see some of your patients when they are in the hospital. I don't know your issues with the other employees but the main thing is do what is best for you. As much as you care about those patients there are others out there that need you, maybe even more.

Congrats!!!!! You have now been through one of the toughest times in your life and survived. Good luck in what ever field you choose. :balloons:

I currently work with 4 docs. 3 are excellent to work with, value your opinion and and even ask what you think (you are with that patient many more hours a day than they are). The other one depends on his mood. The main thing I have found out is agreeing with a prior post. They will respect you more if you have the information for them and know what is going on.

We used the ATI books too,(the CD's were a waste of time) they books were helpful when I didn't remember something and needed the specifics to look it up. But I test better when I practice question after question. As I said before I used the Saunders (yes it is a comprehensive review book) and the Kaplin both were extremely useful. The Princeton Review Nclex Rn is also a great book. If you are interested let me know and I will get the isbn # for you.

I looked into their program and decided on an online program in Illinois. Cost is expensive on both but I was impresses with the staff I talked with at the other school. Plus the fact that I was able to carry over almost every credit I had from prior classes and could test out of 3 classes. There are options out there, for the best results find the program that best works for you.

Kaplin and Saunders is what I used, both are excellent books

HI, I took the NCLEX last Aug. got 75 questions. Stressed myself out for the two day waiting period and had to have someone else look at my results because I couldn't. My class had people who got various numbers of questions from 75 to all 265. EVERYONE PASSED. So relax, everyone I talk to swears they failed, it is to say the least the toughest test I have ever taken. Let us all know when you pass so we can celebrate with you. Oh, by the way Congratulations of living through nursing school.

WE have for years been turning the UF off if a patient is having BP issues or cramping. There is always an exchange in the dialysate to the blood and back with things like K+, Ca+, etc. and fluid going from the blood to the dialysate. When the UF is off the only thing that is happening is clearances for chemistries. No fluid removal. We have patients that may have it off for over an hour, usually we will just drop their goal if they don't have a BP but even when they stay off they do not gain weight, you just don't get off what they originally put on. They go out heavy. The dialyzer works as an exchange unit but it only exchanges things needed to transfer. If the patient has a high K+ the dialyzer will pull off some but it will not transfer any in. I have been in dialysis for what seems like forever and have never had a problem with the UF off and have never heard about the issue your DON is talking about. If you find out where they got this info I would like to read it myself.

After dialysis there is a fluid shift caused by less fluid in the vascular system than in the tissues. Fluid shifts usually happen sooner than 19 hours. If she had eaten high salt foods it would possibly change the times a little, frequently muscle cramping that late in the game occurs from changes more in the potassium level or in their calcium levels. Did you see any labs on this patient? If I were guessing I would bet on the electrolytes.

I agree with the others who posted, I have been in dailysis a long, long time and sometimes I can't hit the broad side of a barn. Sticking is a skill that you will learn and become more comfortable with as you do it. Remember the first few IV sticks you did, they were tough too, but as you build your confidence the patents will build theirs with you also. As AmyLiz says it takes up to a year or more to be comfortable in dialysis and all you do. You will do great just don't give up.

I have been in dialysis over 14 years, worked for two different clinics and both facilities gave at least 3-4 months to train. You are better off there but don't give up on dialysis. It is a great field to be in. I would have been fired too, because I would have had them turned in to the state for that type of behavior and breaking confidentiality. Sounds like a horrible place to work and a very unhealthy patient area. Sure patients worry about each other they are like family, but if the patient wants to tell them that is fine, it is not up to the staff to be the informants. I am glad you have the ethics to not want to be in that type of situation. Good luck on what ever you decide to do.