foxy1112

It's usually 8-12 weeks in our unit. I don't know with other facilities.

Yes, I'm also working per diem in another unit. Thanks for the advice.

Hi, please check your inbox.

I feel overworked, stressed and unfulfilled. Wonder if I should keep doing my job or quit. So confused right now.. 😔

Stenosis problem probably?

I'm sorry that you're mom had to go through dialysis. I know it must've been tough for you. My patients inspire me everyday. I don't know if I would be just as strong as they are if I were to face the same kind of situation. I've only been in dialysis for less than a year. I've always wanted to work in this field since 3 years ago but companies always want to hire those who have experience. Fortunately for me, a company wanted to train me from scratch. I was truly grateful for that chance. In six months time, they assigned me to manage the home hemodialysis program due to my good work ethics and passion in dialysis. It was quite an achievement for me knowing that even the seasoned nurses were not offered this position. I had a lot of naysayers behind my back, they thought I couldn't make it coz I was the "new girl". But here I am..:)

I feel like you're putting words in my mouth. See, you don't get it. I didn't say dialysis is a blessing, I said the opportunity that patients get nowadays to be able to get dialysis treatments is something to be thankful /grateful for. Maybe I should just refrain using the word "blessing" coz it can be taken out of context easily? Geez. I do acknowledge the things they have to go through as a dialysis patient. Believe me, I review their "do's and dont's" with them and provide patient education everyday. Nope, I don't describe myself as a cheerleader. That's not what I do.

You said you're not a dialysis nurse so you're probably not familiar much with the culture. In the unit, we try to be as positive as possible. We try to make the experience lighter for the patients. All interdisciplinary team work hard for it. We truly understand what they're going through from head to toe and we give them the best possible care that we can give. It seems like you think I don't know what I'm talking about but I do. Yet in this care, there's no room for any more negativity.

That's why a lot of patients are also depressed coz they see things as 'what should be' instead of 'what is'

I can't really compare them to trust fund kids. Coz when trust fund kids won't work, they still have money. If dialysis patients won't dialyze, they're dead. I saw a poster once that says "DIALYSIS: damned if you do. Dead if you don't." Well, that's so true

If they need dialysis back in the 70's, it would've been different, a lot of them probably won't survive. Nowadays, every patients have a chance. Even those who don't have insurance and documents are not getting denied of the services. Every treatment is a chance for life, so if that's not something to be thankful of, I don't know what is. Patients can always refuse dialysis treatment too, right? The fact that they're coming 3x/week means that they're actually making a conscious effort every single day in extending their lives.

I see your point. I know that it is very stressful and difficult for them. However, I don't want to add any more negativity to their experience. Just need to be optimistic as much as possible until they get their kidney transplant 👌

Thank you.

Lol, that's not what I meant. From where I'm from, patients are very unappreciative. They treat dialysis as a burden rather than an opportunity. I always remind them back in the days when dialysis treatments were only given to selected patients who were only considered useful to the environment. I tell them how blessed they are to have this opportunity nowadays; to be dialyzed 3x/week.. But unfortunately, they don't see it that way...

I've had gotten this question a couple of times already everytime a patient asks me if I'm a nurse or a tech. Whenever they find out I'm an RN, they always ask me "Why are you here? You're a good nurse. You should work in a hospital!" To my surprise, most of them think being in a dialysis is a ****** job for an RN. I always tell my patients that dialysis is special to me. Helping people extend their lives daily and actually being a part of it makes me happy. I actually love what I'm doing. If only these patients see and appreciate our efforts, that would be really nice.... Until then, I'll continue to do what I love to do.