General Forums >> Ask A Nurse >> Med-Surg to Dialysis Nurse
Med-Surg to Dialysis Nurse
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Posted over 3 years ago Hello. I was wondering if any nurses had any advice for switching from any area of nursing to dialysis nursing. I recedntly graduated in May & took my first job on a very busy med-surg floor. I feel like I don't have a chanced to spend any time with the patients and basically pass meds all day. I also don't think that 5-6 pt to 1 nurse ratio is very safe (in my opinion). I don't really enjoy it as much as I thought but maybe haven't given it a chance yet. However, I was talking with a nurse who does dialysis and she advised me that dialysis was a great speciality where the nurses have one-to-one interaction with the patient for a longer period of time, are able to sit with the patient during the dialysis and chart, and aren't as overworked as a nurse on a regular med-surg floor. I hear other nurses snubbing their noses at dialysis nurses b/c they believe nurses in this field don't want to do anything but dialysis, but who cares if it pays the same and I don't have to completely wear myself out at work to get the same personal rewards I would from another nursing position. Was just wondering if their are any dialysis nurses out there & if they could share the highlights & lowlights of this position before I seriously consider switching over to this specialty.
Thanks Chrissie |
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| Posted over 3 years ago I have worked ICU, OR, ER and endoscopy. I switched to dialysis after being a circulator in a Level I trauma center. I loved my job but I am getting older and the 12+ hour shifts were killing my legs and back. Wah wah wah. I don't know who would stick their nose in the air at dialysis nurses. I've worked every area but OB in 30 years and nobody has anything on us. The dialysis job is challenging and I wonder if you have enough experience to do it. With adequate trained staff around I'm sure you would suffice after training. But if it is just you and a tech and 8 patients? Somebody with much more dialysis experience than I have would have a better answer for you. I do dialysis in a prison. 8 patients at a time with common staffing being me (RN) and a tech. Meds, blood when needed, coding the ones who crump, new patient assessments (take an hour easy), diabetic checks monthly (feet and circulation) - it can be challenging. But it sure beats any darned hospital work. If you decide to do it and go with Fresenius tell them I referred you! I'll buy you a box of candy or something. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago Thanks for the advice Mr. B! |
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| Posted over 3 years ago BTW - the techs pretty much run the show in dialysis. Accept that, learn from them and don't get an attitude because you are a nurse. When you know enough to not need them every few minutes, you will know it and so will they. That is a key sticking point for many nurses entering dialysis. Many quit early because "a tech keeps telling me what to do and I'M A NURSE". Good luck whatever you decide. |
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| Posted over 3 years ago I don't get why anyone would snub a dialysis nurse. They do dialysis on the floor at the hospital where I teach, and they're pretty much great. Good to my students, I've learned a lot from them myself. It's like any other kind of nursing I guess: you got some that are go getters, and some that aren't. Criss1E, if you want dialysis, go for it! Chances are you will like it. If not, you will still learn a lot. I had to try several areas of nursing before I found my true home (ER). |
