I work for one of the "Big Two" dialysis companies as an acute inpatient dialysis nurse. For those of you not familiar with this, my job is to provide dialysis treatments to patients who are acutely ill and hospitalized.
The problem I am having, is that I and the other nurses that I work with are expected to work extremely long hours on a regular basis. A few days ago I worked 17 hours straight doing back to back dialysis treatments, and then I was still on call for the remaining seven hours of that 24 hr. period, meaning that if the hospital had an emergency treatment and I got called, I could have conceivably worked almost 24 hours straight. It's scary, because by the end of that 17 hours, I was so tired that I was blurry-eyed and fuzzy-headed. This is not the exception, because I have not had anything less than a 14 hour day in weeks.
Needless to say, our acutes department has a real problem hiring and keeping nurses, and I hate this job because of the ridiculous hours. The only reason I am still there is because I have only been with the company for about 15 months and I hate to be a job hopper, because I was only at my previous job for about that same length of time and I'm afraid that no one will hire me if I quit another job after 15 months. However, I really do not feel like this is safe, and definitely not in the best interest of the patients.
My question is, would you be willing to work hours like this? Everyone I talk to thinks it's ridiculous, but if I or any of my co-workers complain to management, we are made to feel like we are being crybabies and whiners. I have applied for a few jobs, but I just don't know if I will look like too much of a job hopper to a potential employer. At this point, I am really getting concerned about my license, but I have to work and carry benefits for my family.
You will make good money in dialysis, which is one of the reasons I stay with it. I have a tidy retirement fund, a nice home, three cars paid for and take a couple of nice vacations a year. If you have some financial goals, like paying off student loans or a mortgage, dialysis will help you accomplish that.
Specializes in long term care Alzheimers Patients.
Happy ending! I am out of there! I had three potential employers interested in me within a few days of getting applications out there, and I interviewed and have been hired for a hospice position with reasonable hours and as an added perk, a $15,000/year pay increase!
I am feeling so blessed today, and I honestly feel like I (and the company that hired me!) just saved my nursing license by getting out of this disaster waiting to happen.
Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement. :)
Happy ending! I am out of there! I had three potential employers interested in me within a few days of getting applications out there, and I interviewed and have been hired for a hospice position with reasonable hours and as an added perk, a $15,000/year pay increase!
I am feeling so blessed today, and I honestly feel like I (and the company that hired me!) just saved my nursing license by getting out of this disaster waiting to happen.
Thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement. :)
I have been in dialysis for years (chronics) and i just got hired by a hospice, too but for a big pay decrease!
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I would NOT "do this" as you put it. This is why I have no plans to be an acute dialysis nurse. Because that is exactly what happens on a regular basis, to the nurses I know who do acutes.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
PS: GOOD ON YOU finding another position. I think acutes is crazy and I would love my mind there, never knowing for sure how long my day would be. It IS very dangerous to work 17 or more hours, no matter who the nurse is. I am truly happy for you.
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nursegreene
35 Posts
Pays well...
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