Dialysis Training Program in the New York City Area

NurseRies, BSN, RN · May 28, 2013

Westieluv- how are you liking dialysis? I remember when you were trying to decide between this and ER I think. Do you find it interesting? I hope the acute hours are not too bad!

westieluv · May 28, 2013

Hi NurseRies,

Thanks for asking! I have only completed one week of orientation so far, but I do find it very interesting and I am really enjoying it! I have a very nice, patient supervisor who has been having me train with her on the days that I am in a hospital setting and I have learned a lot even in this short amount of time. My only concern is if I can master this because there is soooo much to learn. I had never even touched a dialysis machine or really studied one up close until this past week, and I am still trying to master the set up process. All those tubes and clamps! I just keep telling myself that one week is way too soon to judge myself and that I have months of training still ahead and that if thousands of other nurses have mastered it then so can I.

I think I am going to enjoy the acutes more than I would have the chronics because I get to travel around a bit and meet new patients every time I work. So far the hours have not been too bad, but I see now that when I become independent they will be quite long some days. My supervisor ended up working 16 hours one day last week because we are currently short staffed and she does treatments to fill the gaps. Still, I figure that as long as I have my days off every week the hours won't be a big deal. I was working 12 hour night shifts in cardiac and med/surg so those were long shifts too, I was on my feet a lot more so it was exhausting, and I wasn't enjoying it much at all anymore. I enjoy dialysis and could potentially see myself doing this until I'm ready to retire. For the first time in years I actually look forward to going to work!

Thanks again for asking. :) I am so glad I chose dialysis over the ER job!

NurseRies, BSN, RN · May 28, 2013

Westieluv- the machine skills come with time and I've never seen someone not get it. It's frustrating because it may take a few weeks! The hardest part is troubleshooting problems without the experience. But the nice thing about dialysis is that even if someday you want to do something else, you will always be needed as a prn worker. You will have skills that are highly specialized. They can't float someone over or train someone in a few weeks. If you get burnt out on hours at the acute, there's always the more regular hours of the chronic. You can also get into education or management. That's my plan for as I get older. Since you'll be in ICU a lot doing treatments, you can make contacts there and possibly eventually do that as an option too ( I never want to be a floor nurse). But the options are pretty endless once you have your skills down. They will see dialysis experience on your résumé and you will almost be instantly hired into another dialysis related job. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. My biggest complaint is the hours and the on call. But hey, in these times, we're lucky to be getting OT!

westieluv · May 28, 2013

Thanks for the encouragement, NurseRies! I agree, we can't complain about getting hours in these times when so many people are out of work and would give anything to be getting any hours, anywhere.

I think I am already starting to get the machine set up, but I can see what you mean about the troubleshooting, because sometimes the machine beeps or does something that I, at this point, would have not the slightest idea how to address. Once I can figure out which tubes and hoses go where and what to clamp and not to clamp, I think that will be half the battle. The other half will probably be learning who the doctors are and how they like things done. I know I'll eventually get it.

Thanks again!

Natkat, BSN, MSN, RN · May 29, 2013

To the OP, I don't think she was being disrespectful. True, we don't have experience with these training programs directly, but we do have experience as dialysis nurses, and our experience counts for something, that we have never met anyone who got a job after going to a dialysis training program. It's yet another in a long list of scam schools for surgery techs, radiology techs, medical assistants, etc., who spend lots of money on training but can't get jobs. I can't tell you how many CNAs I've met who went to a medical assistant school and then could not find work. But I digress. I, too, am I highly suspicious of this program, and agree with the others to get on-the-job training at Davita or Fresenius. And they will absolutely hire you without experience. If they didn't they'd never have enough staff to operate.

Royalty01 · May 29, 2013

My comments about the posting was not in regards to her experience, but how she put her thoughts across. As someone who is looking into this for the first time, I do appreciate the various input from those that have experience with this specialty, but when it comes off being brash, that I don't appreciate. We all having varying experiences and opinions, and there is a way to share this information in a manner that is professional and meaningful. She has since explained herself, and as far as I am concerned that's good enough for me...I'm not thinking about her first comment.

The fact that the above individuals cannot get jobs, it's not necessarily the fault of the school. Where I would fault the school(s) is for poor training, and if they promised to place individuals in a job, just so that they could get their money knowing that they do not have the intention or capacity to do so. Before applying to any of these programs, a person should really investigate the job market as much as possible to see if what they are interested in is in demand. They shouldn't take the sole word of any representative for any of any program. They should also investigate the reputation of training program they are interested in. There are ways to do this outside of the actual program.

You mentioned that this is a "scam school", so can you tell me what you know about it since the reason why I started this post was to get the opinion of those who have experience with this program?

I am aware of several nurses who have graduated from nursing school over the past 2-3 years, and to this day they cannot find a job. Is the nursing school they attended to be blamed?

On the job training with DaVita and Fresenius is also being looked into. But, according to DaVita, the only way you can get on the job training is if one of their facility's is, "willing to train". This information is as recent as today. Not all of their facilities have openings for inexperienced dialysis nurses. So far, in my search over the past two weeks, none of the advertised facilities in my area have openings for inexperienced dialysis nurses. I am still waiting to hear from Fresenius.

What is, "OP"?

kathrn99 · May 29, 2013

I have done dialysis now for 13 years. I currently work for Fresenius. They have a very extensive orientation program. I've never heard of dialysis school. But, that's what got my attention to this post. I find that they even have such a school very interesting. Once hired in dialysis you will be well trained to do the job by the end of your orientation period. No one will expect you to fly solo for a long time. I was told when I was first hired that you don't even begin to feel like you know anything until after 6 months and don't really feel comfortable until one year. I tell all new employees this because I find it to be very true. The new employees that have the hardest time are those that come in thinking they will know dialysis well in a short period of time. I've seen a lot if people quit after just a few weeks because they get overwhelmed. It's a great job!! It's one where you either love it or hate it. I'm currently in NP school and hope to stay in dialysis working for one of the nephrologists. Good luck on finding a dialysis job. I think the school could be helpful but not necessary. Whatever company that hires you will train you to do things "their way."

Royalty01 · May 29, 2013

Kathrn99,

Thank you for your input and the information about Fresenius. I am still waiting to hear from them.

All the best in NP school!

jcdutchy · Nov 14, 2013

I do understand your concerns and can only share with you my own experiences and hopefully provide some insight in what directions to consider. After contacting all the resources you had mentioned and received allot of mixed feedback, I was confused and decided to check with my school career counselor. Its interesting that you had mentioned Dialysis4career, a program that I will soon be completing. The facilitator is doing an excellent job in teaching us 50% lecture and 50% clinical training done on campus and enjoys sharing his professional experiences. To give you an idea of who my classmates are; RNs, CNAs, MAs, PCTs, PBT and two with no medical experience. I can tell you what I have learned which is you are not alone in trying to make the right decisions regarding dialysis technician training. I did contact several dialysis centers and many of them did say to call back when I have received my certification. And I recently had an per diem assignment as a floater at a city hospital and was told that pcts without a certificate were no longer able to work in dialysis unit - until he or she earns their dialysis certification. Lucky for them 1199 Union is covering all their expenses. I do know that allot of new and required changes are taking place in health care and any investments we make will be benefiting to us. Good Luck.

Rjohn081 · Nov 17, 2013

hey guys,

As an irish trained nurse looking to do the nclex over there in new york i wanted to further my education as well through the form of taking up a dialysis course. i am currently enrolled for the dialysis technician course in the manhattan institute due to start in january. Has anyone had experience in doing this course? im currently working in irelands main renal department but i dont do haemo. I've had experience with peritoneal dialysis though. I would love if anyone could shed some light on this course! thanks guys :)