We have had a change in staff. Previously, I was cannulated by an RN who did a good job. She is being replaced by a RN who has never stuck a fistula, but is experienced when it comes to grafts. I was told she will be given one time of supervision by our nurse trainer to stick my fistula. This concerns me a lot. Can she learn this skill in one easy lesson considering shes's experienced in grafts and IV's? There is no one else in my unit that can stick fistulas so she's it. Please help.
Originally posted by Joyce: We have had a change in staff. Previously, I was cannulated by an RN who did a good job. She is being replaced by a RN who has never stuck a fistula, but is experienced when it comes to grafts. I was told she will be given one time of supervision by our nurse trainer to stick my fistula. This concerns me a lot. Can she learn this skill in one easy lesson considering shes's experienced in grafts and IV's? There is no one else in my unit that can stick fistulas so she's it. Please help.
SHE SHOULD HAVE NO DIFFICULTY ACCESSING YOUR FISTULA. I WAS AN IV RN FOR MANY YEARS PRIOR TO JOINING THE DIALYSIS COMMUNITY. ACCESSING A FISTULA FOR AN IV NURSE IS LIKE HITTING THE BROAD SIDE OF A BARN WITH AN ARROW. IV ACCESS IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT AND REQUIRES A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TECHNIQUE, BUT I WOULD PREFER A GOOD IV NURSE TO ACCESS MY FISTULA AS OPPOSED TO ANY OTHER. HOPE THIS ALLAYS YOUR FEARS. GOOD LUCK, AND PLEASE REMEMBER, ANYONE CAN HAVE AN OFF DAY.
Thank you very much for your reply. I can rest easier now. You see I have had several personnel work on me in my for-profit who were unsure of themselves. When talking to tech/RNs, they seem to see nothing wrong with "practicing" on the patient. I had constant problems with the cannulation of my access until I was put with a RN who, I believe, simply knew what she was doing. It is hurtful to me that techs/RNs don't seem to understand our natural protectiveness of our access (our lifeline), nor can they seem to empathize with the pain we go through to be cannulated. It takes all the guts we can muster to get through it with a good sticker. We will feel secure with such a person. But when someone is undertrained, it is a nitemare for us. I can' imagine how any tech/nurse could not understand this, and then even try to make us feel bad that we don't readily trust them when they are the ones who are not prepared. If they've accepted a position and their company doesn't train them adequately, it's up to them to insist on it. The patients shouldn't be their science project. On the other hand, I certainly understand how a qualified sticker could have a bad day. I needed to vent a little, because I'm tired of companies who hire techs/RNs and don't train them adequately before putting them out on the floor. I know they will learn some things on the job, but I don't feel that should include inflicting pain, both physical and emotional, on patients. I sincerely hope the Senate hearings will do something to change this all too frequent occurence of ill- trained, non-professional workers.
