Tips for New Dialysis RN

Specialties Urology

Published

Hello all,

I am new to dialysis, also it is my first RN job!

Any tips on...

1. patient problems

2. working and getting along with the staff

3. communicating with drs

4. tips for time managements

5. etc

Thank you! I highly appreciate it. :)

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Hi and welcome. You will go through classes over several weeks, on didactic related to dialysis nursing, then you will be put on the floor with a tech preceptor, to learn tech duties. Pay attention and respect your techs. They have your back as a nurse. You will learn basics, stringing machines, assessing fistulas/graft and the like. Learn their job well, cause you will be responsible for your techs as well as your nursing duties. Be respectful of them, they have a lot to teach you. THEY know the patients better than anyone.

Then, you will go through classes on the nursing portion of your job, and again, be put on the floor with a nurse preceptor for a couple of months, at least, to learn the job.

I suggest you keep your ears and eyes open and really listen to your preceptors and learn from them. Get in there and do the work when you are out on the floor. Be willing to take any and all learning opportunities and ask questions.

Just go in with a good attitude and the willingness to learn and you will do fine. Dialysis is fast paced and tough as a first job, but you will get the hang of it after a while. It will likely take you at least a year to be comfortable, so be patient with the process and you will get the routine down.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

And be very respectful of your patients. They know their bodies and dialysis well, most of them. They have been doing it for many years, at times. Ask them questions and be willing to learn from them. They have a lot to say, and you will learn a lot from them. RESPECT those patients.

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