NurseKandi

yes I have unfortunately was with a girlfriend that was shoplifting and also have that on my record. I applied for licensure as a LPN years ago and then again for my RN in FL and another state and have been issued licensure. I feel you will not be granted licensure if it is a serious crime, drugs, abuse, etc. I am currently in a program for my BSN so it is possible. Just be honest and provide all paperwork from the events and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER lie or not list it. It will be found and they you will not be given a license. Good luck to you. Sometimes our pasts haunt us but if we are honest and change our lives, it will work out. Keep focused!! Good luck!

I have had people tell me that but I have found if you set it to end an hour before the patient comes off the machine, it helps keep them from getting thirsty. I love using UF profiling and Na Modeling together. It allows for optimal fluid removal while sustaining the blood pressure. I am slowly working my docs into using it in the acute setting for those that need the fluid removed. I am asking this more from an evidenced based perspective. Do you know if there has ever been a study based on EDP about Na Modeling?

Working in the chronic dialysis setting and now in acutes, I have always found that when you have patients that come in with heavy fluid gains, that using Na Modeling with a UF profile is beneficial for blood pressure support. Anyone have thoughts on this or experience with Na Modeling? Do you feel it is better for the patient to use it? Looking forward to hearing from everyone.

NavyNurse, I sincerely apologize for all the bad comments you have read about Davita. I have been with Davita for two years and find it to be a wonderful company. I have transferred from chronics to acutes and find that I love it even more. In my chronic unit, I found that it isnt the company, it is the FA themselves that is the problem. Don't forget that management has the authority to change whatever the problems are and if they make their bosses happy, then bottom line is that they have done their job. Unfortunately, it has come down to about a dollar and they have cut out optimal things like "tip-stops" but besides that, I feel that it is a solid company. Many people think that they can go into dialysis chronic and just take it slow. It is by far not even close to that. I have calculated my steps when I worked at the chronic units and some days it was over 18,000 steps. I worked any where from 12-16 hours days. Dialysis is either something you love or hate. You have to find a FA that is good to the staff and patients. The acute setting I am now, I couldnt have asked for better. I feel like a nurse again because I deal with acute dialysis pateints. Post cardiac caths, surgery, open hearts, you name it, we dialyze them after. It makes me appreciate nursing again. It isnt the company that is the problem, it is the people that are running the particular clinic the people are complaining about. And to be honest, there are days when you are the only nurse and taking care of 19 patients on two or three shifts is a lot but if you have a solid team of PCTs and LPNs that work with you, your job is not at all hard. I have been honored to always have wonderful PCTs and LPNs work with me. You may want to go visit a chronic center and shadow a RN to see what dialysis is all about and what is done on the floor and you may want to reevaluate your thoughts. I would recommend checking into an acute dialysis program as if you have any hospital experience, then they will train you in dialysis and you get on call pay, mileage, shift diff, overtime...the perks are endless. I have made more money in 4 weeks in acutes then I ever made in chronic. Just a thought.

Not between patients but if we are waiting for a line to be placed, then we clock out and go eat or something but never leave. Our docs are pretty good at getting the ball rolling so there isn't much down time. We are a busy acute program with 4 hospitals so there really is never any down time..especially when on call!!

As a skeptic about the vaccine, I was pretty adament about not taking the vaccine. Until all 3 of my kids and my husband got it. I am an acute dialysis nurse that switched from a chronic setting to the hospital setting. I can't tell you the countless number of people that have come into the hospital with "suspected" swine flu. We have to gown up, mask up, etc. And now they are not even testing any more because of the 70% false negatives they are getting. The hospital system I work in, stated that we either received the vaccine or we have to wear a mask until Feb. 2010. Now mind you, I hate masks but I also would hate to get sick with this critter even more. I have been reading on it and it seems that this virus is a compilation of 2 types swine, 1 type human and 1 type avian. This is a serious bug. I am just as scared of the side effects from this vaccine as everyone else, but I am scared of what can happen if I didn't take it and then I get it from the hospital setting. There are people in their 20's dying from this. I am in my latter 30's but I have still have a family and a career that I love. Sometimes, we have to outweigh the risks and the benefits in order to be objective and do what is best for us and our families.

Hi there, I am an LPN from FL. I am a dialysis LPN and right now I have RNs making around 26 and hour for the same things I do. It seems rather useless at first but then you do see the money difference and the amount of work you will do as an LPN for less money and it upsets you. But the good news is, it may take you a while but when you finish you will not only be proud of yourself but you will make it all worth while when you get the pay raise. I am currently working on my RN as well. I am doing the Chancellor;s. It may be something you might find convenient for you. Best wishes and I hoped I have helped. NurseKandi :)