Questions to ask at interview???

bbrnurse · Apr 16, 2005

I am interviewing for a dialysis RN position. Never worked dialysis. What are some good questions or things I should ask at the interview so that I can really find out about this type of clinic/nursing???
Thanks in advance

What are the hours and will I get out on time usually,

Will I be the only licensed person in the building often.

Will I have adequate "down time" to do all the ancillary charting and monthly paper work, CQI projects etc.

What can the PCT's do. Can they cannulate, intitiate and terminate dialysis on a catheter patient, give heparin.

Will I have a med nurse or will I be in charge and give meds too.

Does the doctor "require" me to round with him/her. Do you use NP's as PCP here.

What kind of travel arrangements have been made for the patients.

How long is your orientation and will part of it be with another RN for learning the charge position.

Will someone in the technical department show me how to make bicarb and trouble shoot back "there"

How long will it be before I am in charge.

How long has the Clinical Manager been in dialysis if indeed he/she is qualified to even do dialysis.

Will you help me get the 30 CEU's required after my two years of nephrology experience to sit for the CNN or the Certified Hemodialysis Nurse if I chose to.

I could go on.

Dialysis is a very narrow speciality and those of us in it love it. Or we get out. You need at least one year of Med/Surg experience. IMH that is better than ICU. Don't get me wrong ICU nurses are great but they are atuned to 1-2 patients and having up wards of 24 patients in a room can be daunting.

Give it a try. It takes about a year to really "get" dialysis so don't become discouraged it you don't seem to be progressing as fast as you'd like to.

Mr. L · Apr 17, 2005

What are the hours and will I get out on time usually,
Will I be the only licensed person in the building often.
Will I have adequate "down time" to do all the ancillary charting and monthly paper work, CQI projects etc.
What can the PCT's do. Can they cannulate, intitiate and terminate dialysis on a catheter patient, give heparin.
Will I have a med nurse or will I be in charge and give meds too.
Does the doctor "require" me to round with him/her. Do you use NP's as PCP here.
What kind of travel arrangements have been made for the patients.
How long is your orientation and will part of it be with another RN for learning the charge position.
Will someone in the technical department show me how to make bicarb and trouble shoot back "there"
How long will it be before I am in charge.
How long has the Clinical Manager been in dialysis if indeed he/she is qualified to even do dialysis.
Will you help me get the 30 CEU's required after my two years of nephrology experience to sit for the CNN or the Certified Hemodialysis Nurse if I chose to.
I could go on.
Dialysis is a very narrow speciality and those of us in it love it. Or we get out. You need at least one year of Med/Surg experience. IMH that is better than ICU. Don't get me wrong ICU nurses are great but they are atuned to 1-2 patients and having up wards of 24 patients in a room can be daunting.
Give it a try. It takes about a year to really "get" dialysis so don't become discouraged it you don't seem to be progressing as fast as you'd like to.

Wow This is great info thank you very much!