Too slow for fast pace job?

westieluv · Apr 19, 2014

It's too bad that you have an RN in your facility who would be that rude to you. New employees, and especially people who are new to dialysis, need support and encouragement, not negativity and discouraging comments.

No one who is just starting out in dialysis can keep up with the pace. I assume you are talking in particular about turnover between patient shifts. That can be crazy, hectic, and stressful, even for seasoned dialysis personnel.

I am an RN who has not been in dialysis for a full year yet. No one has tried to discourage me yet, thank God, but even if they did, I think I would have still stuck it out, because I like my job.

I guess the bottom line is, do you like your job well enough to stick it out until you get up to speed? You WILL get up to speed, that's what everyone told and continues to tell me. The seasoned PCTs that you work with were in the exact same boat as you when they started, every one of them. I guess you could let this nasty nurse discourage you and quit your job, or you could hang in there and prove her wrong. But one thing's for sure, you will never know if you don't stick it out. If your supervisor isn't complaining about you (which I assume he/she isn't, since you didn't mention it in your post), then it is because he/she realizes that it takes time to become an efficient, seasoned PCT.

Best of everything to you. I know dialysis is overwhelming at first, believe me! I'm just now slowly getting to where I would call myself a true dialysis nurse. It does get better. :)

Navygurl · Apr 19, 2014

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.

blarn · Apr 19, 2014

It just takes a while to get into the flow of the unit. 2 weeks is very little time to make such a harsh judgment about your capabilities. Once u get to know the patients and schedules better you will be able to plan ahead for the busy turnover.

pfchang · Apr 19, 2014

I might ask for a private meeting with your supervisor. Two weeks and getting feedback like this? It sounds like an unsupportive atmosphere from coworkers. I suggest asking your supervisor for a meeting to " touch base and ask for feedback." I would not mention the comments from others at this time. I would say something like, "It's been two weeks and I would like to know how you think I am meeting the job description or competencies" or whatever the lingo is at your workplace.

Is is there a preceptor or orientation program? An orientation checklist? I am really very surprised at how many employers do not give feedback. Communication can do wonders to decrease turnover! Keep a positive attitude and keep learning.

westieluv · Apr 20, 2014

Are you serious? That RN is already judging your ability after only two weeks on the job??? Wow. We have a couple of new PCTs in our unit who have been there for about a month and they still need lots of help and support. No way in the world would I EVER expect them to be up to speed by now, or even a couple of months from now. Like I said, it takes time to learn and become efficient at dialysis. Two weeks is absolutely no time at all to have a chance to become proficient or to even have learned the routine yet!

Honestly, that RN sounds like someone who is unhappy with herself and needs to put others down to try to feel better about herself. Anyone who would tell a brand new PCT two weeks in that she will never make it needs to be spoken to by the manager and have her attitude changed BIG TIME. What a jerk!

I hope you hang in there, we will all be rooting for you and hoping to hear good things very soon!

Navygurl · Apr 20, 2014

Is is there a preceptor or orientation program? An orientation checklist? I am really very surprised at how many employers do not give feedback. Communication can do wonders to decrease turnover! Keep a positive attitude and keep learning.

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

PrettyLady87 · Apr 29, 2014

I'm going through the same thing except I'm THE NURSE! Most of my CHTs/PCTs/LPNs have been extremely rude to me! I've complained to my nurse manager several times, but she favorites them and one is her step-daughter. The more I pick at them, the more my manager picks at me. I feel that before I can go complain to the nursing administrator and higher ups I need to be proficient in everything about dialysis...but I'm not. I still don't remember all of my lab values, and a few times I forgot to update the meds for my pts...I've been so distracted with the nonsense at work that it's causing me so much anxiety and depression. I question my capabilities as a nurse ALL the time! I hardly cannulate anyone, so I can't really troubleshoot the accesses yet if there's a problem (i hate asking that step-daughter tech for help). Ironically, most of my pts seem to like me and think I'm an awesome nurse (I just check up on them a lot during their tx). Sometimes I really regret going into dialysis bc I get ridiculed by my fellow grad classmates for not being a "real" nurse bc I'm not in a hospital doing foleys, etc. At this point I'm not confident to go anywhere else bc of the poor training my job gave me. Although I have an exceptionally experienced and nice Charge Nurse, the nurse manager is like Hitler over here, so she's not allowed to talk to me much unless I'm having an issue with a pt (the step-daughter is the spy for the entire center). I want to transfer to one of our other centers, but I'm attached to my pts, and like I said, I want to be proficient so I don't embarrass myself in front of other medical staff who are expecting me to be fully "trained". Anyway, enough with my ranting...it definitely takes time though! I have to admit, although this tech of mine is a complete B**** it isn't as difficult as when I first started since I am seeing more and understanding more... Im even able to clean, prime, and rinse back pts...so I'm helping more during turnover! You'll get it, just don't let your nurse discourage you!

Navygurl · May 6, 2014

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.

SmilingBluEyes · May 10, 2014

You are being unfairly judged and it sounds like "young eating" ( I know, many hate that term) to me. It takes about SIX MONTHS for most techs and nurses to be able to keep up with the frenetic pace of a hemodialysis unit. I was a nurse with 14 years' acute care experience behind me when I started out in dialysis. It took me 6 months to get comfortable with the pace and a year to really get to where I was not questioning every move I made at work. DO NOT LET them discourage you!!!! You need a mentor. Find a person sympathetic to your situation and lean on him or her for advice and assistance. Don't give up; don't quit. IT GETS BETTER, I PROMISE!!!

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · May 19, 2014

Are you sure you're not a placeholder for someone? Or they had someone else in the wings like a PCT quit and now wants to come back? Like someone was pregnant or injured? Two weeks is not a lot of time to be considered oriented enough.

GeauxNursing · May 24, 2014

6:1????? Wow, we are 4:1 and sometimes that is too much. Bless your heart.