- Master the basics. Learn how to set-up dialysis machines, common alarms, and how to cannulate. A good foundation will be very helpful because you will be doing everything all by yourself. You won’t have technician who can help you reset an alarm so you have to know how to resolve them.
- Breathe and remain calm. It’s ok. It’s normal not to know everything at first. It’ll get better in time.
- During orientation, make sure to ask questions and get hands on experience. Pay attention to where you can find the supply rooms, medication rooms, service elevators, code buttons, fire exits, crash carts. This will the best chance for you to clarify things that you are also unsure of.
- Be a team player. If you see a colleague struggling, offer a helping hand. Trust me, it’ll make the day easier not only for your colleague but yours as well.
- Communicate and update your team of patient status, events, and anything that is important. This will save everyone a lot of time and will help provide efficient care to your patiens.
- Perform a time out before starting treatments. Double check that you have the right patient, right orders, and that the machines have passed necessary tests.
- Hydrate and use the bathroom before you start a treatment. Once you start a treatment, there might not always be a chance to drink water or go to the bathroom.
- Check patient labs before starting a treatment. You might need to change the potassium bath, give blood transfusion, or dedicate one HD machine for a Hep B+ patient.
- If you are doing HD at bedside, get everything you need before starting tx. Grab your gauze, tape, tubes, medication and whatever you’ll need for that tx so that you won’t need to bother the floor nurses/staff.
- Perform equipment check from time to time. Ensure that hoses, tubings are not leaking or coming loose. In some instances, you won’t see anything at the start but after 30 mins or an hour, you see a big puddle of water which is a safety issue.
Tips for New Acute Dialysis RNs
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My Life as a Dialysis RN 