What do you usually do as an LVN in a dialysis setting.

[NurseEnvision]

Nursing school does not expose you to a dialysis setting. I am wondering what are the daily duties of an LVN in a dialysis setting? Is it far more different than the other usual nursing duties? If so, how different are they? Is everything limited in our scope of practice?

[Fiona59]

Like anything it depends on where you work.

in my province, dialysis is considered a specialty. Employer funded training. Same duties as the RN but without the supervisory duties.

everybody cleans and sets up machines in addition to patient duties. Vitals, weight , blood sugars. Monitor. Chart. Two sets of patients on an eight hour shift. Usually groups of three or four per nurse

there are limited numbers of service workers to the unit, so you have to take care of your own machines.

fot the extra one dollar an hour, it's not worth it to me.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to the Dialysis / Renal Nursing forum for more responses.

[Icooka4u]

Dec 2, '16 by Fiona59

...everybody cleans and sets up machines in addition to patient duties. Vitals, weight , blood sugars. Monitor. Chart. Two sets of patients on an eight hour shift. Usually groups of three or four per nurse...you have to take care of your own machines...”

I am wondering what are the daily duties of an LVN in a dialysis setting?” NurseEnvision, LVN

I worked in dialysis (8/12hr D/E), so long ago, I almost keep forgetting that I did. My experience was the same as Fiona59 (her statement below), except I recall being happy with my pay & benefits. I also had no problems with my patients. It was sad when they passed away.

Is it far more different than the other usual nursing duties? NurseEnvision, LVN

Yes. It's very specific and repetitious. We had preprinted flowsheets that were our progress note”. Emergency situations I exp'd were low.

If so, how different are they?” NurseEnvision, LVN

Timing & organization are key. When setting up the machines, there's certain things you can't do until your machine gets to that point. And like clockwork, I usually had 3 staggered patients coming off 30min apart, while putting one on that the next shift took over.

Is everything limited in our scope of practice? NurseEnvision, LVN

No. The only difference I remember is the RN stepping in with emergencies, or problematic fistulas. I remember almost fainting the first time I saw needle insertion into the fistula, the blood, and the feel of the buzz.

[gregbonr]

Nearing the end of my nursing career and looking for something new to do in nursing. I am considering Hemodialysis on Native American Indian reservation. How does one break into this field? I have been an RN for 30 +years and know nothing of this area in nursing. I have worked in many different areas but not dialysis. What is best approach to get started? Any hints would be helpful.Thanks

[Icooka4u]

Nearing the end of my nursing career and looking for something new to do in nursing. I am considering Hemodialysis on Native American Indian reservation. How does one break into this field? I have been an RN for 30 +years and know nothing of this area in nursing. I have worked in many different areas but not dialysis. What is best approach to get started? Any hints would be helpful.Thanks

I've gleaned while pouring over related threads that Davita and Fresenius are the two top employers in Hemodialysis. One of them if not both have locations nationwide. As for myself, I just applied directly to the Dialysis job opening connected to my local hospital and was offered the job. They train you because you have to learn how to set up the machines. I was unaware that there were Hemodialysis jobs on Native American Indian reservation. I learn something new everytime I come on allnurses. Hope this is helpful.