How do I start a career as Hemodialysis Nurse in CA?

[culverboy]

Hi everyone, I just moved here to LA from the Philippines and I was wondering how do I get to start my career here as Hemodialysis Nurse. I already took the NCLEX and passed in 2010. However, I was not able to provide the CA BRN was social since I don't have one that time. Long story short, I now have my social security number and re-submitted all the documents that were requested by the BRN. So now, I'm just waiting for the Certificate and my license to be issued to me. I've been working as a dialysis nurse in the Philippines for 3+ years.

My questions are:

1. Do dialysis centers or hospitals here consider work experience from a foreign country? if yes, did they look for your Certification or ID as renal nurse? (I was not a certified renal nurse back home because the institution that I used to work to did not require us).

2. Do I need to get a certification here as Hemodialysis Nurse so that employers will consider on hiring me? If yes, were do I get that? Do employers hire nurses without certification?

3. Do I need to get BLS/ACLS certification before I even apply for a dialysis nurse position?

Hope anyone could help me with my inquiries because it's really my passion to work as dialysis nurse. I know I don't have my license yet, but I don't wanna waste time waiting. I just wanted to know these information so I will have a head start on my career.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and have a nice day.

[moojie]

Hello! Congratulations! Sounds like you had to go through a lot

of red tape to get your RN. I'm from New Jersey, and I have worked as an HD nurse for two years. One as charge nurse. So the info I'm providing here is from my personal experience. 1) Any experience is valuable. Especially if you used the same machines in the Phillipines as the place you are applying. 2) There are two hemodialysis certifications. One is only awarded to BSN nurses (it's the CNN designation). I know in the Phillipines they only have BSN. However, this is not a requirement for hire. I was actually hired by a large dialysis company right out of nursing school.

They trained me for 4-6 weeks and provided a preceptor for a month or

so after. 3) in the US, you need a BLS cert for almost every job you apply for as a nurse. ACLS is not necessary for chronic HEMO, but in Acutes you may be asked to complete it.

Hope this helps and isn't too little too late. Good luck!