[hodgpodge]

Hello. I am an RN that is currently employed by Renal Care Group. Today we just learned that Fresenius Medical Care has bought out all of RCG's stock and they are taking us over. We were a privately owned unit until our wonderful "doctor" sold us to RCG. About 5 months ago. We got new machines, new computers, a whole new system. We are just getting used to the change when, BOOM, today we learn that Fresenius is buying RCG units. All of them. You have to understand, we are a small unit with 16 chairs, in the bootheel of MO. We are a great team of people. I feel like we can handle change well. But of course no one knows anything. I was just wondering if any of you kind people out there have or is currently working with Fresenius. How is their benefits and what kind? Do they have paid time off? All that jazz.
Are they a good company to work for? I would greatly appreciate ANY info you can give me. I really know nothing about them as a company. Just what I've seen on their website, which is still nothing. Please, I would love some personal info on what you've seen and experienced. Thank you.

[Dormkare1]

Hello, well I have been working with fresenius for almost one year. I am new to dialysis and new to FMS. The benefits here aren't bad but I am disillusioned. The job offer I accepted was false and I quit a job of 12 years to take it . We are now unionized so that might make a difference as far as pay and benefits go. Yes we have PTO but the cap is ridiculous! Can earn 200 hours a year but after 120 the rest go to ESL! FMS seems to be concerned more about the bottom dolar than pt. care sometimes. I encourage you to search this site, there has been alot of input about this company.

Good Luck!

[jnette]

Yeh.. wow... just found out yesterday hot off the wire that FMC bought out RCG... that blew me away ! I've been with FMC going on ten years now, but have heard RCG is a fabulous company to work with and for.


Read through some of the old threads here on this forum.. will give you some idea on FMC, their benefits, pros and cons.

You do earn quite a bit of PTO, but as stated above you do need to use them or you stand to lose them. We never let that happen.. we make sure we use all our PTO. But you can also "sell" the company back any excess PTO.. up to 40 hours. Not bad, if you have a major purchase coming up or some unexpected bills.

[hodgpodge]

I have heard both good and bad from people. We don't really know what to think. Of course everyone is going to think negatively. Especially since we just got bought not 5 months ago. It's just hard for everyone since we've just learned the new machines (Braun by the way) and new computers that we never had before. (I told you we are in the bootheel of MO). And now we're being told that in 6 months time, we'll have to learn a whole new set of machines and computers. It's just very disheartening. We're all just hoping we get some decent benefits at least. And where do the patients fall in all of this? I don't know. We'll all get through it of course. Just thought I could get some feed back from some people who have been there. And could tell us something. Thanks!

[kdhnursern]

I'm like you. I've worked for RCG for 2 yrs and really liked the personal aspect of the company. When I joined RCG, it was impressive how big the comany was but how I felt management was not distant, very approachable.
Now, FMC is the biggest dialysis company. We just got Braun machines and love them (after Cobe3's they are fantastic!) and after 2 yrs in dialysis, I feel like I really know my job. Now everything is upside down. New machines, new computer systems, new equipment, new uniform policy (what do I do with that closet full of scrubs??). It is a very scary prospect.
I am awaiting more info on this thread. I know, as a dialysis nurse, that my job is fairly secure here, and our unit is a profitable one. Anyone higher up is shaking. And they may figure that our market is a small one (we have eight chairs/2 shifts/6 days a week but are constrained due to space) and could get rid of us. I guess I can always try something new.
Anyway, I'll follow this thread.
Thanks.

[shovelbunny]

Hi, I am a traveling Hemodialysis nurse and I have had the unfortunate expierence to have worked in both the acutes & chronic FMC units. I have found that the bottom line ( $ ) is more important to them then pt care. These units have had everything from the TV's removed (too expensive to repair) down to removing sheets from the chairs and demanding pt's bring thier own. One unit I was at FMC stopped allowing the supply of bandaids to pt's and the pt's had to bring thier own. They believe that a 15/1 pt to nurse ratio is acceptable even with a seperate 4 pt assignment. They believe that techs are cheaper and nurses are made to spread very thin. Fmc wants to decrease cost per tx so much that in my opinion it has made it less about the patient and more about the profit.
Forgive me if I ramble on but I have been frustrated being on assignment with them. Also, if you are like me and are used to having decent equipment and using meds like Epogen in 2,3,4,10 & 20 dose vials; look for it to change. {FMC uses s4 and md20 only & you MUST use the overfil on the next pt so don't leave a dribble.} Also I perfer using the cobe or pheonix machines better than the fresinius machines; I find them not user freindly.
Good luck to you, I hope your experience with them is better than I have had.

[Dormkare1]

Agreed!! I am interested in dialysis travel nursing. How did you get started?

[shovelbunny]

Originally Posted by Dormkare1

Agreed!! I am interested in dialysis travel nursing. How did you get started?

I started with American Mobile Nursing. I have enjoyed traveling ( for the most part ).

[rnluann]

Originally Posted by hodgpodge

Hello. I am an RN that is currently employed by Renal Care Group. Today we just learned that Fresenius Medical Care has bought out all of RCG's stock and they are taking us over. We were a privately owned unit until our wonderful "doctor" sold us to RCG. About 5 months ago. We got new machines, new computers, a whole new system. We are just getting used to the change when, BOOM, today we learn that Fresenius is buying RCG units. All of them. You have to understand, we are a small unit with 16 chairs, in the bootheel of MO. We are a great team of people. I feel like we can handle change well. But of course no one knows anything. I was just wondering if any of you kind people out there have or is currently working with Fresenius. How is their benefits and what kind? Do they have paid time off? All that jazz.
Are they a good company to work for? I would greatly appreciate ANY info you can give me. I really know nothing about them as a company. Just what I've seen on their website, which is still nothing. Please, I would love some personal info on what you've seen and experienced. Thank you.

Hi there-I just sent in a resume to a RCG unit not knowing that FMC has purchased the company..do you know any more about FMC and benefits, etc?

[silverfoxxy]

Originally Posted by shovelbunny

Hi, I am a traveling Hemodialysis nurse and I have had the unfortunate expierence to have worked in both the acutes & chronic FMC units. I have found that the bottom line ( $ ) is more important to them then pt care. These units have had everything from the TV's removed (too expensive to repair) down to removing sheets from the chairs and demanding pt's bring thier own. One unit I was at FMC stopped allowing the supply of bandaids to pt's and the pt's had to bring thier own. They believe that a 15/1 pt to nurse ratio is acceptable even with a seperate 4 pt assignment. They believe that techs are cheaper and nurses are made to spread very thin. Fmc wants to decrease cost per tx so much that in my opinion it has made it less about the patient and more about the profit.
Forgive me if I ramble on but I have been frustrated being on assignment with them. Also, if you are like me and are used to having decent equipment and using meds like Epogen in 2,3,4,10 & 20 dose vials; look for it to change. {FMC uses s4 and md20 only & you MUST use the overfil on the next pt so don't leave a dribble.} Also I perfer using the cobe or pheonix machines better than the fresinius machines; I find them not user freindly.
Good luck to you, I hope your experience with them is better than I have had.

want to know more about how fmc looks upon epo dosing. and, other companies.