Will RNs be phased out of dialysis?

Specialties Urology

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Hi, everyone! I am a nursing student (will be rn, bsn) doing my senior year extern at a local hospital based outpatient dialysis unit. I really "fell into" dialysis because I didn't know what I wanted to do for my externship, but discovered that I like it! I am feeling a bit overwhelmed right now, as I've only been there 4 days! It seems that a lot of dialysis centers are looking for LPNs and techs only and I want to make sure I am making a solid career move.

My question is: Is there a solid future for the RN, BSN in dialysis?

Thank you!

(And by no means am I implying that LPNs or RN,AD any "less"-these people are terrific! The staff on my unit are very valuable and knowledgable and some of the brightest people around!!)

I appreciate the answers and support!!!

RNs do acute dialysis in CA. I'm sure if hospitals ever thought of having techs replace RNS, the CNA would nip that in the bud.

$50. an hour. Wow. Travelers don't make that much.

The kicker there is "albeit without benefits" Many nurses could make that without benefits.

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Specializes in med surg.

how much do dialysis RNs make? that's an average hourly rate? and if you know the NV rate that would be even better.

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Specializes in dialysis (mostly) some L&D, Rehab/LTC.
I have a friend who is a travleing dialysis tech. He just finished a contract in acutes in Las Vegas.

There are no RNs in Nevada acutes, only in chronics.

In acutes, the techs do the caths, CRRT, plasmaphorses, PUF, and even give the blood and albumin without a nurse.

I found this to be very disturbing.

Wow this is very :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:disturbing...FMC has to have a RN on the unit...techs will have to be certified in TX and they can cannulate but can't do caths. God be with those pts that have techs only....:saint:

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Specializes in jack of all trades.

Interesting considering CMS requires an RN be present. I cant think of any state board nurse practice act that permits pcts to give any type of blood product (albumin). I would investigate that statement more before I took it as true.

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The newly revised Conditions for Coverage for dialysis facilities requires dialysis technicians to be certified. California, for instance, although already required certification is in place, the method for testing will need to be changed... e.g. an outside person, other than the company training, will conduct the testing... to my understanding.. RenalRuth:saint:

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Specializes in med-surg, dialysis.

The new CMS guidelines do require PCT's to be certified. In NC, certification was not previously required, but now existing PCTs have 24 months to obtain certification and new hires will have 18 months to obtain it.

I'm really surprised to hear about acute units not having an RN present. Our acute unit presently has an LPN that does the treatments, but now an RN is required, so the LPN will no longer have a position. Also, in our outpatient center, we cannot even open the lobby doors to let patients in until there is an RN present in the building.

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Specializes in Dialysis.

What on earth are PCTs doing in those states where they can't even cannulate?!

TX requires all PCTs to be certified by 2010.

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