Dialysis RN1

According to V-tag 686 and 687 if LPN's are allowed to function as a charge nurse in your state then "technically" they can do this. It just does not sound like a great plan that puts the patient first. What if you didn't show up, would they have t...

In my opinion the Systolic is probably the most important as that is the pressure in the vasculature while your heart is contracting. the diastolic is when the heart is at rest (laymens terminology) If the Systolic is elevated the posibility for stro...

oooo, 15 degree canulation??? It is more typical to do the 45 -90 degree as rnbob mentioned. a 15-30 degree canulation is more designed for an IV insertions. usually fistulas and grafts are just a bit deeper and a clean introduction of a large bore...

are you currently with a for profit company? If so I wouldn't expect many changes. if you are a non profit the staffing situation may change depending on how your set up is already. really anything anyone would answer here would just be shots in the...

First off welcome to the world of dialysis. as you continue to learn and grow in your new position I am sure you will find it rewarding and satisfying. This will only come when you ask questions such as these for if you don't know the basics it can ...

you have to take a certification examination. You should apply anyways and get your foot in the door even though the ad says the prefer certified nurses. It isnt an easy test to just go and take if you have no background in nephrology nursing. When...

I find it interesting that they havent told you or offered support in the matter. I would think that a more reliable sorce for that information would be your HR department or administrator.

Well it doesn't really matter which you do first.... You feel the thrill meaning when you palpate over the area of the fistula or graft where there should be a palpable buzzing sensation. If decreased or more pulsating than buzzing then there may be ...

Wow, we cover 8 hospitals. The nurses are scheduled 4 days a week and start at 7AM. the day ends when the day ends, there is no predicting when a patient is going to need our services. The hours we put in run very similar to NatKat above. if its dea...

Harrison, I am a die hard DCI employee. As long as they will have me I will continue to give them my best. I have not worked at a DaVita but I am sure there are some great Davitas as well as not so great programs but I think the same can be true abou...

There was a great article that was published in the Nephrology Nursing Journal September-October 2005-Vol.32, No.4. Titled: “Should Patients Eat During Hemodialysis Treatments?” by Katina Kinnel. You can do a Google search on the title and find the a...

I am in my 9th year with DCI and think that they are a great company. I think the pay scale is regional and in my area it is exceptional and very competitive. The health benefit has come a long way and is now the best I know of around. The retiremen...

Put in your application Training will be provided. and remember, confidence comes with experience. good luck

Great points. In our hospitals I have helped them formulate policy on accessing the cathater so it is in line with how we provide care. we review it anually and certainly it is not accessed without the order of a Nephrologist and as a last resort.

Im from the acute side of life, but we have one 4 bed unit and 7 hospitals. we mostly do bedside treatments

Try ANNA. their web site is ANNA.org they have a core curriculum that discusses the care of the pre renal patient thru the patient with end stage renal disease. Great resource

Adequacy of dialysis would be greatly diminished if lines were reversed, but did anyone think that the stick was not good? It could have just been a poorly placed needle.

It should be printed near the hub of the catheter. if not I would call the surgery dept, or IR and ask what they used. it should also be listed on the op report.

In the acute setting we have used the Lee White method for determining circuit heparinization since before I was employed (Those of you that know what I am talking about can reel your jaw back up). Anyway, the glass tubes are no longer being produce...

It is very interesting to read what everyone has to say about Davita. I do not work for them so I will not comment on the environment in which they foster. I do know that Davita is a for profit corp. and that when you mix healthcare with for profit s...

It sounds as though your friend’s father has a great nephrology group that he is going to. There is a big push in the country for “Fistula first” which encourages the placement or formation of access in the form of a fistula or graft (“Shunt”)so when...

genzyme puts out an annual booklet that is called "dialysis of drugs" you can get it delivered to you free of charge by going to www.genzyme.com or www.nephrologypharmacy.com my thought is just as the above person stated we need to use common sense i...

I will not hire anyone without prior critical care experience. but I am in the Acute side of dialysis. If you are interested in a chronic position, critical care background should not be an issue. if you are interested in acute then critical care is ...

if you do a web search, I am positive you will find studys that Heparin actually adhears to the lumen of the catheter indicating that drawing clotting times from the catheter would not be a good idea. as for us we have peripherals done. I would hate ...

In Dialysis you either love it or hate it and you won't know until you try. I for one cant imagine working in any other environment again. 9 years ago I started my dialysis carer in the chronic setting and quickly moved in to the acute setting. I muc...