Twinmom06 ASN, APN

I know for kidney listed transplant candidates, (former dialysis nurse) that dental issues will get someone removed from the list. Same with hearts.

The job I have now for Hospice is for a small non profit hospice. My 2nd interview was with the CEO

as an aside, dilaudid is the preferred drug for AKI/CKD because it is metabolized by the liver not the kidneys like morphine, so that part would not have contributed to his AMS.

I worked with people that were "feelers" - they preferred to feel a fistula. I was a listener - I would follow the entire fistula with my scope to find the curves. You can also make sure you're in the vessel by attaching an empty syringe and pullin...

in 17 years we've gone from equal salary, to him supporting the household when I went to nursing school, to me supporting the household when he started a business, and due to the salary inequality in America I make double his salary...doesn't matter....

NE PA 6 years experience $32 an hour

I have an ADN (also 2nd career) and don't even have the desire (or need) to go back for my BSN (let alone MSN or NP) at 45 years old.

The local hospital does it per shift in tiers. For example if a dayshift nurse picks up a 12 hour nightshift they get Tier 4 bonus which is an extra $500 for the shift (I believe). Tier 4 is the most critical.

asked a BKA dialysis patient if the floor got him out of bed to weigh him that morning...

I just left dialysis for case management in Hospice, but my dialysis job is keeping me PRN. I have yet to pick up any shifts, but I'm not out of orientation yet.

the policy is the same everywhere, don't cover the access, most pt's are "cold" and don't care, they cover up when you walk away. Uncover, recover, ad nauseum. I educate them constantly in the hospita to no avail.

Has anyone moved from HD (I currently work in an acute unit) to PD (basically teaching PD). Was the move difficult?

sounds like a high maintenance HD patient. Our docs won't order more that 25 mg, ever. She should consider herself lucky...

Using your dialysis catheter for other illegal things will kill you

All of the above, and when that fails to work, I find one of the male ICU nurses to loosen them LOL (my unit is at the end of our ICU unit)

I appreciate ER nurses like you that remind doctors that a 2L bolus on a dialysis patient isn't a good idea just because EPIC says they meet "sepsis protocol"

Damn! That's premium wage! I make $31 base and I have 3.5 years acute experience. My differentials and mileage make my salary higher. I'm in PA

wow...that stuff is already attached to our machines. As for wrenches and such our technical department has simple tools in each acute department in the 6 hospitals we go to. Are you guys expected to change your own filters on your RO's? I theoret...

LOL...

I use the F word like a comma - not in front of patients of course...

Do they wind up in the hospital frequently for hyper K, overload or anemic needing transfusion? I have a few patients that have expressed they'd rather come to the hospital and get admitted because (they feel)they get they get "better treatment" bec...

MRSA is so prevalent in the community at large, our hospital doesn't even isolate for it or VRE anymore. They've pretty much stopped swabbing every nose that walks in the door except for nursing home/group home patients because its PA law. Don't wo...

most times if the hours are short in Acutes, you can make up the difference in the local clinic. Our clinics are almost always looking for some help.

if you're looking for a more hospital med/surge experience, you can always move to acute (hospital based)dialysis Yes you have your frequent flyers, but you do get to meet different people, and get to do a lot of educating

Cuddleduds are the best silk long underwear ever!