Navygurl

Thank you everyone for the great advice. I meditated on what everyone wrote, and you guys are correct. PCT and Nursing it not the same. Hegster, you are definitely correct. The turnover ratio of 1 tech to six patients is ridiculous. If I could rate the speed of all medical careers on a scale from 1-10, I would rate dialysis as a 20. At first I wanted to rollover and give up. But after taking some time off I realized this is not the path for me. Medical is still my passion, but not this form of medical.

If I had friends or relatives in nursing industry, I would definitely ask them first. However, I don't. I tried asking school counselors, and they said they don't know the answer to that question. They said I would need to try it out to see if I like it first. See, I already wasted a lot of money becoming a PCT. I don't have the time for the games. Heathermaizy, your post was helpful because you said that the two are not the same. Yes, when I say mcnursing, that is exactly what I mean, robotic, assembly line nursing. If nursing is like that, I don't want it. That is what a dialysis pct is, an assembly line worker. This news article says it the best ""By 1985, 44 percent of dialysis units were in hospitals and 56 percent were in freestanding clinics; 46 percent were operated by for-profit groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By 2002, 85 percent of dialysis units were in freestanding clinics, and 81 percent were for-profit. "Over the years, as the for-profit industry started to get involved in dialysis, there were big changes ... unlicensed technicians or uncertified technicians instead of nurses," Ferriter says. "It has become more impersonal. When you think about it, it's the same principle as an assembly line."" I wish I found this article earlier, then I would have never got into this field.

Long story short, just grad from school to be a PCT at a dialysis center, they said I'm too slow. My original goal was to become a nurse. Now that is in question due to my lack of speed. So here is my question? Is nursing as faced paced as dialysis? I have a 6:1 pct to patient ratio. Turnover is a complete nightmare and I cant keep up. Dialysis PCT is a glorified assembly worker, and Im gone for 12-14 hrs a day. No life whatsoever Is general nursing the same way, or different. I can understand running call light to call light. I can do that. What I can't do is McNursing. I just need a career that is slow to moderate pace. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

PrettyLady, I'm glad you are catching on despite the lack of training. I am sure you will do very well. As for me, they warned that they were going to let me go due to speed. I've wasted time and money going to school for this. I give up.

I have a preceptor and the preceptor don't have enough time to show me anything. We are so understaff it pathetic.

Thank you for the positive words. I needed to hear. I've only been doing dialysis for 2 weeks and the RN and the season PCTs make me feel like I'm a failure. Yes, I am talking about turnover between patient shifts. You are blessed to have a caring and understanding staff. I really like dialysis, but because I haven't done my 90 days, I hope they don't decide to fire me. I will stick it out and see what happens. I will keep you posted.

Hi, I am a PCT newbie, and the RN says I will never make it in the dialysis industry because I am too slow. The current patient to PCT ratio at my facility is 6:1. I really love my job, but I cant keep up with the pace. I already made a mistake with a patient today when I tried to keep up the pace. What should I do?