How to get into Dialysis Nursing?

Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2003

I'm a seasoned RN, but am new to dialysis. I work at a Fresenius unit. One of my best friends works for Gambro in AZ. She was sent to San Diego for training. Her unit is pretty calm and smooth running. Mine is noisy, very chaotic.

I had 6 weeks on the job orientation/training. Sounds like a long time, but dialysis is so different from others kinds of nursing, a long training period is needed.

I started at $21./hr, she started at $18./hr. You will probably start higher because of your geographical area.

I've gotten emails from Gambro recriuting RNs to work in AZ. They pay relocation and sign on bonuses for some locations.

If you work MWF or Tu Th Sa you will have the same group of pts, so you'll get to know them well.

There is a need for dialysis nurses. Rewarding? That depends on how well your unit is managed. I had the shift from hell today.

YOGI_NAMASTE · Jun 22, 2003

Thanks! What website can I go to to research more about Dialysis Nursing and certification?

YOGI_NAMASTE · Jun 25, 2003

I'm in Los Angeles, Ca and have no idea what's the starting pay for a new RN although I currenty work in a hospital. What are the hours usually for MWF? Is dialysis nursing also good for travel nursing? Oh I know I have lots to know yet it's because I'm super interested.

bloodmonster · Jun 23, 2004

I'm a seasoned RN, but am new to dialysis. I work at a Fresenius unit. One of my best friends works for Gambro in AZ. She was sent to San Diego for training. Her unit is pretty calm and smooth running. Mine is noisy, very chaotic.
I had 6 weeks on the job orientation/training. Sounds like a long time, but dialysis is so different from others kinds of nursing, a long training period is needed.
I started at $21./hr, she started at $18./hr. You will probably start higher because of your geographical area.
I've gotten emails from Gambro recriuting RNs to work in AZ. They pay relocation and sign on bonuses for some locations.
If you work MWF or Tu Th Sa you will have the same group of pts, so you'll get to know them well.
There is a need for dialysis nurses. Rewarding? That depends on how well your unit is managed. I had the shift from hell today.

I had 6 months of hell working for an innovative dialysis clinic here in California. Yes, you are right about saying that it depends on the managers. The nurse manager that I worked for did not perform her job well. She really sucks as a nurse manager and should have fired herself.

Nursing is a tough business and working in a dialysis clinic is no cake walk. Ya have to work with technicians who think they know all the answers while they work under your license. You are ultimately responsible for the outcome of all patient care. You'll work with some awesome techs who really know their jobs and then there's the techs who will make life hell.

I complained to the nurse manager about a particular tech who was performing clinical actions without my consent. I made the manager aware and she did nothing about it. I saved this company from a lawsuit..Patients could have died..Ultimately, I was the one who was terminated..as the nurse manager blamed me for techs leaving the company. I was the scapegoat when in fact it was the result of her not doing her job.

When interviewing for such positions you MUST ASK a lot of questions. Make sure you understand the consequences of taking on the team leader position in the dialysis clinic. Make sure the nurse manager is sincere with regard to the way she answers your questions. Honestly, during my initial interview I felt that she was not being completely honest with me. But, at the time, I was desperate to find a job immediately and she wanted to hire me immediately. She was just as desperate as me..DONT BE DESPERATE! Take you time and find the right job. Ask why there is an opening. Is there a high turnover? Chances are if there is..its cuz the management sucks..Best to move on. I later learned that she has a history of firing people and or the nurses left before they were fired. This clinic had gone through 5 nurse in 4 years for the same MWF shift.

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Jun 23, 2004

I'm in Los Angeles, Ca and have no idea what's the starting pay for a new RN although I currenty work in a hospital. What are the hours usually for MWF? Is dialysis nursing also good for travel nursing? Oh I know I have lots to know yet it's because I'm super interested.

I'm not a dialysis nurse, but I am a travel nurse -

YES, there are almost always listings for dialysis travel nurses! In fact, there aren't too many specialties out there anymore that don't have opportunities for travelers. :)

Farkinott, RN · Jun 24, 2004

I agree with Helllllo Nurse (enough l's?). I have been working in dialysis both haemo and PD for over two years now and still feel lacking in knowldge. there are a lot of grey areas as no two nurses do dialysis treatments the same way!

Secondly a good management is so important. The work can be very high stress especially if you wor in an acute area and if there a too many clients for the available slots!

The structure of hospitals etc. her in Oz is very different. I work in a public hospital (state govt) so we don't get the "firing" issues as described in previous posts. Very few dialysis unit are "private" and owned by the likes of Gambro, fresenius and Baxter.

Additionally, Ii work very civil hours (for nursing).

And finally, how to get into dialaysis nursing?........Ask for a job!

Good Luck

AmyLiz · Jun 25, 2004

You could check with your local hospitals too. They may have an AKU or even a chronic unit that you could work at. I'm currently a tech at a clinic that is through a local hospital. Just make sure wherever you go has good training/orientation. Our RN's go through the same stuff as techs (with additional training on the nursing part of dialysis...care plans, meds, etc), which lasts 8-12 weeks, part of which is at the clinical site with a preceptor.

Dormkare1 · Jul 7, 2004

Hi! I am new to this site and am not sure if I am doing this correctly. I have a few questions re: dialysis nursing as I have an interview this Friday!! :rolleyes: Can you give me a few pointers or advice on what type of questions I should be asking? I have been in nursing since 1995 mostly in SNF and looking for a change!! Stress I can handle as I am an ADON and supervise 130 nursing staff in a 160 bed facility. Can you help??:uhoh21:

Allaroundnurse · Jul 8, 2004

Go to http://www.davita.com I have been working with them for a year now and feel just as enthusiastic today as on my first day. They really believe in the TEAM spirit. With people like KT, Yoda, and Gail Wick leading us we are really different. What can you say about a company that has no employees they have teammates. One of the core values is Fun, which is encouraged daily. If you can't deal with change as in "who moved my cheese?" then DaVita is not for you. If you can feel that everyone should have integrity, and be accountable for their own actions then DaVita is the Place To Go. The mission statement for me says it all: "To be the Provider, Partner and Employer of Choice". They not only talk the talk, they walk the walk. Too few providers do that today. Clinical decisions are made by clinicians. What a place to work. I have worked in dialysis for many years and wish that DaVita would have been there when I first started. All potential teammates that are matched with a job by the inhouse recruiter will get a 48hr call back or KT, and Joe Mello will know why not!! Go somewhere that Nurses are expected to be nurses and have a career ladder to go up. NUFH said!!!

bloodmonster · Jul 8, 2004

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RNBSN1 · Jul 8, 2004

I'm in Los Angeles, Ca and have no idea what's the starting pay for a new RN although I currenty work in a hospital. What are the hours usually for MWF? Is dialysis nursing also good for travel nursing? Oh I know I have lots to know yet it's because I'm super interested.

The starting pay is $30.00/hr at Gambro, with no experience in the San Francisco Bay area.