Being a nurse to dialysis patients is a tough job. But if it’s what you want, if this is the kind of work you see yourself doing because it’s meaningful to you and fulfilling, then make sure you’re prepared. Here are some things you need to know before you get ready to land the job you want.
Credentials
Before you can even be qualified for a dialysis nurse job, you need to undergo training. That’s where training programs come in. Go over your options until you figure out which option is best for you. Review pros and cons.
Compassion
Genuine care comes out of one’s compassion. With plenty of treatment facilities that overload their staff, it can be hard to combine competency and compassion. But as a nurse, that’s exactly what you need to do.
Communication
You need to be an excellent communicator. That skill is valuable, especially when you talk to the patients and their families. If you have a hard time communicating, there’s no better time than now to train. You’re sure to improve with enough practice.
Empathy
Patients and their families are scared. You meet them at work every day, so it’s nothing out of the ordinary to you. But for them, you could be meeting them at the worst possible time in their lives. You’ll need to do your best to employ a bit of empathy, even when you’re running on nothing but caffeine and fatigue.
Knowledgeable
Try as much as you can to provide your patients with answers. If they ask you about the procedure or voice out their fears, take the time to talk to them. Don’t brush them off.
