New grad - possible to start in dialysis?

GeauxNursing · Jul 20, 2008

how did you apply? i work for Davita, and I know that my boss is BUSY 24-7. To get my job (as a tech) I literally called her every day for 2 weeks until she would see me. you need to follow up. And yes, we do hire new grads. Davita has a great training program for new hires. It used to be called Davita Prep, now I think there is a new name. I believe it's 12 weeks of classroom time mixed with floor training.

someone will hire you! just keep bugging people!

good luck!

redknight · Jul 21, 2008

I`m a new grad and got hired by FMC. Its OK, ut the trainning I think kind of sucked. As soon as the class room was finished there was this almost expectation that you should hit the floor and be able to do this job.Ijust finished my 90 days and my boss added a additional 30, saying that I was fine, but needed a little more time. Now mind you I`m an RN and they are down three techs. (two walked out after 2-3days on the floor and all that time in the class room for not).So I believe she did the 30 day prob. add on, inorder to help staff the tech. side of sched.So with that said I do like the hours. 4-10hour days, just finishing a 4 day off. They are not open Sundays or maj. holidays, so there is the plus side. I don`t believe you can learn this job in 90 days and be fair with any type of review.There is just too much that as a nurse/tech that needs to be experianced. Its that ole statement that they eat their young. Its a face hard pace every day and I have yet to have a day that their was not a challenge. Wheather it be canulation or dumping in the end. (cramps,to much fluid pulled or getting ill.)So for those nurses that think its boring, well, I beg to differ.

GeauxNursing · Jul 21, 2008

you are right. 90 days, not enough time. I'd say it took me at LEAST 6 months to SORT OF know what I was doing and not be drowning every day. it takes a good while to get in the swing of it, to get a routine down. hang in there!

akemi · Jul 22, 2008

I think if you really want to do renal nursing you will be just fine! I got 2 years med/surg experience before going in to Dialysis. M/S experience helped a lot, but I think it is possible to do well as a new grad. I am about 10 months in to dialysis nursing and still feel like a real newbie there. Although the job seems routine at times, it does require lots of quick thinking and critical decisions to be made. And boy the techs are pros! Respect them and they will respect you. I sometimes to go my techs for help before asking another RN (especially for access help). I love HT's and PCT's!

sunfirebsn · Jul 27, 2008

It is definitely possible to get hired into dialysis without any experience. I would say it would be best to get a little hospital experience first, since there can be critical issues in the clinic at times and having some experience can help you there. I know an RN who went right into dialysis after graduation and has been there 4 years now. I worked on a hospital floor for 5 months (granted not a long time) and then went into dialysis and have been there over 3 years now. Is the renal floor you referred to acute dialysis? If it is acute, they would like dialysis experience since patients in the hospital are sicker and more fragile and sometimes you are on your own in the patient's room. If you do get into dialysis it will take you 6 - 12 months to feel comfortable, don't stress out! It is a lot of stuff to learn that takes time to understand! Good luck to you!

NooNieNursie · Jul 29, 2008

Good news, I got an interview with fresenius; I just went there today. The charge nurse said each RN is responsible for 9 pts, with 3 techs and the RN takes 1 (not sure how that actually works, that adds up to 10 hehe). I think in NJ it is illegal to have more than 3:1 ratio in dialysis. It seems like the RN mostly manages the patients under license and passes meds while the techs do most of the work. The RN is responsible for all assessments and monitoring of course. It does not look like an easy job, but I think I have what it takes. My strength is mental work. Physically I am a bit clumsy, but my assessment and judgment is my strong point. I also like 13 hr shifts 3/week with no holidays... can't beat that! That's exactly the kind of schedule I was looking for.

It looked like a really clean, nice facility, the dialysis units were very modern looking, the staff was friendly. One of the staff was speaking with me as I was filling out background check information and he told me it was a really nice place to work. That made me feel really confident after hearing all the HORROR stories about fresenius and dialysis.

The pay is also decent - 28/hr, which is about what new grads make in my area. Again, the horror stories that dialysis nurses make peanuts is not true, the starting salary is about the same as the hospitals.

I was very nervous, I hope I didn't blow it, lol. I really would like to work here!

The charge nurse was talking to me about a possible future in management and acute hemodialysis with the company... that maybe is a good sign?

redknight · Jul 30, 2008

Its great that you can get that job. I`ve been with FMC for the past 4 months. Be ready to be on your feet for the hole time. I`m not sure where you are working, but I`m in NH and first the pay is not as good as what you are talking. 2nd, I have been working as a tech. because they have been so short handed. No w mind you I have all the respect in the world for the tech`s, but I find them to over step their role alot where I`m at. Giving medical advice to pts. starting pts on O2 with out consulting RN, changing BFs. It makes me uncomfortable because it is our lic. they are working under.Had heard one tech. say to a pt. that she is not a nurse but acts like one.So like I said I`m not sure how it is where you are going to be. My wife is a nurse also and is very upset that they keep me as a tech. She says I should give them notice that I`m a nurse and should be doing such at this point and time. Hey I still get paid the same (nurse pay).

dialysisguy · Jul 31, 2008

Congrats!! :specs: You will be fine with that kind of ratio!! :up: I work with FMC in

LA 1/12 for RN & 1/4 for techs. Still better than DaVita and there extra tasks. :banghead: Hope we can learn from one another in the future. 1 year in Dialysis here.:typing

DG

NooNieNursie · Jul 31, 2008

Thanks DG,... I didn't get the job yet, but I sure hope they contact me! They said they were still holding interviews, so fingers crossed?

Lacie, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2008

Personally, I would recommend anyone to get at least 1 year of M/S or critical experience before choosing dialysis. I'm not saying it cant be done I honestly think you may be cheating yourself out of broader experience down the road for your career. I recently had a new employee ask me my opinion as she was offered to train in ICU as a major medical center here and I honestly had to tell her "Go for it" to ensure she had other experience and the opportunity. I hated to loose a good nurse but as a DON I had to be honest with her. If going into chronics as a new grad I would have gotten very bored in a short time due to the routine on a daily basis. And if going into Acutes critical care would be a big benefit for you. I worked critical care long before I ever considered dialysis and very glad I did. It also helped when it came to looking for employment as most places jump on getting a well rounded nurse.

love2beanurse · Aug 3, 2008

Hi, I am a new grad as well, in May 08. I started my first job in Dialysis on May 23rd. I love it! I trained as a tech first, then my nurses training began. I have been off of orientation for a week now and I love it, but it is still very scary because orientation is never long enough to learn everything you need to learn in Dialysis. But I work with some really great people who are helping me out everyday. I absolutely love my job, and most of the nurses I work with started in Dialysis as well, so I dont think its a problem at all! Good luck!