TenderLoveNCare

So I'm beginning to think I made the wrong decision about going into dialysis. I dread going to work most mornings and I'm really just unhappy. Ok so here's a little background I'm a RN with a little over 2yrs exp. with most of that experience coming from a very busy and fast pace stepdown unit. I'm at the beginning of my career and I was just looking for change and I wanted to expand my nursing skills, so why not step outside the hospital and try dialysis. Well apparently I was wrong! So I have been working for one of the big 2 dialysis companies since July of 2014. The pay is pretty good and my clinic is only open MWF so that's the upside. Now here's what some of my issues are 1. I don't feel I'm fully utilizing just nursing skills in the role I'm currently in. I function mostly as a tech for a 4pt. section. I assess and pass meds but that's basically it until my charge nurse feels like I'm not busy enough and pushes more duties on me halfway through change over without any help. 2.I feel like me all of my co workers hate me! I consider myself a positive,upbeat, and very approachable person but I'm somehow I'm always left out of the loop whether it's work related or just getting to know the people I work with daily. 3. There is no sense of teamwork. Every man for himself no matter how bad you're drowning. 4.Over bearing techs who over step their boundaries. 5.Long hours 4:30am-until usually around 7pm sometimes later 6. Some days no breaks taken not even lunch because no one will relieve you. I want OUT! Sorry for the long post I just needed to vent.

I'm so excited to have job offers from both companies but I can't decide which one to choose. I have close to 2 years of nursing experience working on a very busy CV stepdown unit but no dialysis experience. And I know experience varies from company to company and individual clinic to clinic. But here's why I'm torn both clinics seem to be really nice with great nurse/tech teams and awesome management. So here's my options.... Davita- 13 chair MWF clinic with a nurse and 2 techs already there. They would like for me to function as a nurse/tech and take my own load of 4pts were I would be reasonable for everything including opening and closing. What I didn't like is there is no 401k matching but they do give several bonuses throughout the year. Fresenius-31 chair 6 day a week clinic were I would be responsible for 7-8 pts with the help of 2 techs. I would be required to work 4 10hour shifts working every other Saturday. What I did not like is that I wouldn't begin to accrue PTO until after six months. Any insight, comments, suggestions are more than welcomed!

I really appreciate your honest opinion. I know dialysis is more than just running treatments and is very complex detailed work. I did tons of research before I decided to go into this specialty, but I'm so up for the challenge. I'm so glad to know that with time and good training that it is doable.

Thanks and I'm up for the challenge!

Thanks so much for your response . I wasn't sure if that was a reasonable expectation or not but the way you explained it I feel more confident!

So let me start off by saying I'm so excited I got a call back from Davita! I'm currently working on a very busy CV stepdown unit and looking for a change. I was offered a position with Davita for a small 13 chair clinic but with this position they would like for me to function as a RN and PCT. The clinic is only open MWF and there is 1 other RN and 2 techs already in the clinic. Since I have no dialysis experience I was wondering is this typical for a chronic dialysis clinic and is it a reasonable request?

Hi I'm a third semester student in the program and overall I'm pretty pleased with the program. As with anything it has a few kinks but they are continually improving the program! We are some of the most respected of nursing students in the area (and this is coming from nurses and doctors in the hospital). So with that being said there is alot that is expected of you, but nothing that can't be done within reason! The lectures are intense so you will spend a great deal of your time studying(so if you've never had to study or not use to studying GET USE TO IT!) And not to sound like a debbie downer(cuz i'm no debbie downer lol) but you will not have much time for socializing and that's just a reality of nursing school! Sucks I know but you'll get use to it especially if you like to pass lol. AND CLINICALS ROCK! At least mine have anyway! Every clinical day won't be perfect but as long as you ASK FOR HELP and learn and grow from it you'll do fine! I guess what I'm trying to say is nursing school is what you make of it. You will have some rough days and even cry a little but as long as you keep a positive attitude and keep your goal(graduation) in perspective you will do great! Hope this helps!

I would definitely work hard to pull your GPA up as much as you can(3.0 is normally the standard...2.7 is doable but cutting it close) Don't be so hard on yourself focus on the science courses as to me that's what really counts(I repeated both A&P2 and Micro) so there is hope!:w00t:I woundn't recommend doing ap2 before ap1 but I have known a few ppl to do it. As far as transferring credits I would really just leave that to your advisor so I won't misinform you. There are many mothers in my nursing class and they seem to manage just fine with the support of spouses/family. And my sister-in-law made it through the program this past spring with 3 kids(2 of which she had while in the nursing program:bugeyes:) so again it very doable but you have to dedicated, focused, and have an awesome support system!

Yes they monogram like Landau and I think they offer a package of some sort with scrubs and a nursing kit! I used them and had no complaints!

Hi guys I am a current nursing student going into my 3rd semester at the UofM. Congrats on getting in and if you have questions about anything no matter how silly you think they are feel free to ask me! And you only wear scrubs on clinical days and the the day you have skills lab! I would recommend you buy at least 3 sets of scrubs to start out with and Identity Factor is awesome! Good luck!

Thanks a bunch! I'm going start researching different areas to live now so I can get a feel for where on want to stay. I've visited atlanta several times and I stayed mainly in the Buckhead area(pretty pricey:uhoh3:) and my aunt lives in McDonough(a little far out lol) so I'm looking for a happy medium! What areas would you suggest?

That's good too know because I was a little worried that I may not be able to live in the city on a nurses salary! Thanks.

Thanks for the info!

Thanks a bunch! I feel more informed now!

Thanks so much for the info! And I don't mind driving down to do interviews while still in school, and I definitely will begin applying a few months before graduation! Also exactly how do the internships work there because where I am they are for nursing students only and not new grads, and what areas would you recommend living in? Once again thanks a bunch for your response!:)