Dialysis Travel Nursing

Published

I am considering getting into dialysis travel nursing. I have 7+ years experience in the chronic setting. Does anyone have any advice about which company to go with or any other advice would be appreciated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU CM LNC MB HHC, Flight nurse.

Dear future traveler, check around with different companies first. There is a website, nursetraveler.org that lists most of the companies, some are not dialysis. You want a company that is going to give a good hrly rate as well as provide housing, benefits, and most of all look out for you. A recruiter most of the time will do pretty well for you, but sometimes you may be caught in a catch 22,most of all, get specific details in writing on your contract. Some clinics will try to work you stupid 4-5 days in a row and get an attitude when you are requesting days off or you need to have time off for personal reasons., get it on your contract. They all say they'll get you where you want to go, sometimes you end up where you have to in order to work, try Foundation for a starter.:wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've been working as a traveling dialysis nurse for the past three years and love it. I travel only with Foundation Medical Staffing. They have been very good to me and offer the best benefits. Most importantly...they have been very professional. My recruiter is very nice and is a no-pressure guy and always gets back with me right away. When I've had a problem with an assignment in the past, they supported me 100%. I've heard some horror stories from other nurses regarding other travel companies. Each travelers needs vary...are you planning on traveling around the country or staying in a localized area? Are you going to take their apartments or are you going to travel in an RV or find your own housing? I travel in a motorhome...and thus the travel and housing reimbursment are important to me. Foundation gives me a nice stipend for that and doesn't limit the amount of travel reimbursement as most companies will do. That is very important with the price of gasoline these days...and my 40' diesel pusher can drink the gasoline. But...for myself and my husband...there is really no other way to travel...we have the comforts of home, travel with our dogs and all our stuff very comfortably. Most importantly...we get to tour the country on someone else's dime. I've meet some great people and seen some amazing things during these past three years. I have no intension of stopping anytime soon. I enjoy my work and my lifestyle.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

trvlnRN - I am currently considering traveling dialysis jobs. i have worked as a dialysis nurse for almost 3 years now. Can you give me any advice or possibly names of good recruiters, good places to go? Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Travel Dialysis Nurse, I traveled as a dialysis nurse for over a year and loved it.... I made the mistake and took a full time position at my last assignment. I regret ever doing that! I worked as a traveler with Adex Medical Staffing (based out of Georgia), great Company! Paid well, benefits (including medical coverage) Bonuses, stipend allowances for housing and car. Be careful of contracts, dont be afraid to ask for exactly what you want and need, and if you decide to go full time with one of your assignments.......UMN... make sure that there are no strings attatched to your taking the FT position. ( I worked FT and wanted to go back traveling, unfortunately the Co. I went FT with had a clause; waiting period of 6mos before being allowed to taking assingments with the Co.) Just be cautious, and ask lots of questions.

signed,

Ex-Dialysis travel Nurse (Shiloh5)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello! My name is Jim Mulligan, and I’m an RN in Michigan. I’ve recently decided that it’s time to sell everything I own, buy a motorhome, and hit the road and see the country.

Because I’m still many years from retirement, I still need to work. I want to avoid the big cities if possible, and spend my time in the remote areas of the northwest and southwest U.S.A. After spending many years working in Adult ICU, Neonatal ICU and ER, I diversified in 1995 and studied Law for 3 years. Since 1998 I’ve worked for Law Firms and Insurance Companies, and for the last 4 years I’ve worked as a Medical Case Manager specializing in Workers’ Comp. and No-Fault Auto. Anyway, I doubt that I can find jobs doing my current specialty on the road, so I’ve decided that it’s best for me to return to my “RN roots”. According to my research, working as a Travel Nurse doing 13 week contracts will provide me with a housing stipend (that I can use to pay for the RV parks) plus health insurance and a pay check. It looks like the demand is greatest if I work in ER, ICU or Med-Surg., but it also looks like Dialysis might be a good option. I know that I’ll need to have ~ 1-3 years of recent experience before I can start working as a Travel Nurse, but that’s ok because it will take me some time to sell all of my stuff and buy the motorhome. Any suggestions that you can give me would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks, Jim

MY BIO:

JAMES MULLIGAN RN, BSN, MEDICAL-PARALEGAL

TEL: (248) 619-9420 E-mail: [email protected]

EXPERIENCE INCLUDES: Emergency Room, Adult Intensive Care, Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), Medical-Surgical Unit, Occupational Health Clinics, Urgent Care Clinics, Medical-Paralegal, Medical-Legal Consultant, Risk Manager, Medical Case Manager (Telephonic & Field), etc.

EDUCATION:

- RN, BSN: Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science from Oakland University (1982)

- MEDICAL-PARALEGAL: 3 Year Bachelors Degree from an American Bar Association Approved (ABA) Program Plus 1 Year of Legal Research Training at Oakland County Circuit Court with Judge Mester, etc. Oakland Community College (Graduated 1998)

- CERTIFICATIONS: BLS, ACLS and Chain of Custody.

- Auto No-Fault Insurance Law Course: 21 Week Course taught by Atty. James Borin.

- Occupational & Traumatic Medical Case Management: Consulting Physicians.

- Workers’ Compensation: Advanced Training Course

- Chain of Custody DOT Certifications: Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT Certified); Urine Drug Screening (DOT Certified); Rapid Drug Screening; Hair Collection Certified.

- OSHA Compliance Course: for Medical & Dental Offices.

- Computer Skills include: PC & Mac (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc.

- Licensed Agent: for Life, Health & Long Term Care Insurance

- Airplane Pilot: Fixed Wing (VFR) and Instrument Rated (IFR)

WORK EXPERIENCE:

- FIELD CASE MANAGER (FCM): Specializing in Workers’ Comp. (12/2007-Current)

- TELEPHONIC CASE MANAGER (TCM): Specializing in Workers’ Comp. (11/05-11/06)

- MEDICAL-PARALEGAL & MEDICAL-LEGAL CONSULTANT: I’ve done projects for Law Firms, Insurance Companies, Third Party Administrators, Hospitals, Medical Experts and Corporations. I specialize in Medical-Malpractice, Personal Injury, Workers’ Comp., No Fault Auto and Health Insurance. I have performed numerous services, such as: Summarize medical-records, claim files, accident reports, witness statements & depositions; Screened legal cases for merit; Medical & Legal Journal Research; Create data charts & graphs for expert review and trial display; Develop questions for Depositions & Interrogatories; Draft Motions for Summary Disposition and Mediation Summaries; Provide Risk Management to Hospitals, Clinics, Corporations. Attend IME's with Clients, etc. (Independent Consultant 8/1998-Present).

- EMERGENCY ROOM, URGENT CARE CLINICS AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CLINICS: Working as a Staff RN where I provided Emergency Care plus performed Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT Certified), Rapid Drug Screening (Monitec Certified), Hair Collection (Psychemedics Certified), 12-Lead EKG’s, Physicals, Breathing Tests, Eye Exams (Titmus), Hearing Tests, Immunizations, Urine Drug Screening (DOT Certified). OSHA Certified. Independent Nurse Contractor (8/1995-11/2007); (Urgent Care 1/2007-3/2007); Emergency Room (4/2007-6/2007)

- NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE (NICU) @ numerous Metro-Detroit NICU Units working for Nursing Agencies. (7/1985-8/1995) [independent Nurse Contractor]

- NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE (NICU) (7/1983-7/1985)

- ADULT INTENSIVE CARE (AICU) (12/1982-7/1983)

- ADULT INTENSIVE CARE (AICU) (7/1981-12/1982)

- MEDICAL-SURGICAL FLOOR (7/1980-6/1981)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello! My name is Jim Mulligan, and I'm an RN in Michigan. I've recently decided that it's time to sell everything I own, buy a motorhome, and hit the road and see the country.

Because I'm still many years from retirement, I still need to work. I want to avoid the big cities if possible, and spend my time in the remote areas of the northwest and southwest U.S.A. After spending many years working in Adult ICU, Neonatal ICU and ER, I diversified in 1995 and studied Law for 3 years. Since 1998 I've worked for Law Firms and Insurance Companies, and for the last 4 years I've worked as a Medical Case Manager specializing in Workers' Comp. and No-Fault Auto. Anyway, I doubt that I can find jobs doing my current specialty on the road, so I've decided that it's best for me to return to my "RN roots". According to my research, working as a Travel Nurse doing 13 week contracts will provide me with a housing stipend (that I can use to pay for the RV parks) plus health insurance and a pay check. It looks like the demand is greatest if I work in ER, ICU or Med-Surg., but it also looks like Dialysis might be a good option. I know that I'll need to have ~ 1-3 years of recent experience before I can start working as a Travel Nurse, but that's ok because it will take me some time to sell all of my stuff and buy the motorhome. Any suggestions that you can give me would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks, Jim

MY BIO:

JAMES MULLIGAN RN, BSN, MEDICAL-PARALEGAL

TEL: (248) 619-9420 E-mail: [email protected]

EXPERIENCE INCLUDES: Emergency Room, Adult Intensive Care, Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), Medical-Surgical Unit, Occupational Health Clinics, Urgent Care Clinics, Medical-Paralegal, Medical-Legal Consultant, Risk Manager, Medical Case Manager (Telephonic & Field), etc.

EDUCATION:

- RN, BSN: Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science from Oakland University (1982)

- MEDICAL-PARALEGAL: 3 Year Bachelors Degree from an American Bar Association Approved (ABA) Program Plus 1 Year of Legal Research Training at Oakland County Circuit Court with Judge Mester, etc. Oakland Community College (Graduated 1998)

- CERTIFICATIONS: BLS, ACLS and Chain of Custody.

- Auto No-Fault Insurance Law Course: 21 Week Course taught by Atty. James Borin.

- Occupational & Traumatic Medical Case Management: Consulting Physicians.

- Workers' Compensation: Advanced Training Course

- Chain of Custody DOT Certifications: Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT Certified); Urine Drug Screening (DOT Certified); Rapid Drug Screening; Hair Collection Certified.

- OSHA Compliance Course: for Medical & Dental Offices.

- Computer Skills include: PC & Mac (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc.

- Licensed Agent: for Life, Health & Long Term Care Insurance

- Airplane Pilot: Fixed Wing (VFR) and Instrument Rated (IFR)

WORK EXPERIENCE:

- FIELD CASE MANAGER (FCM): Specializing in Workers' Comp. (12/2007-Current)

- TELEPHONIC CASE MANAGER (TCM): Specializing in Workers' Comp. (11/05-11/06)

- MEDICAL-PARALEGAL & MEDICAL-LEGAL CONSULTANT: I've done projects for Law Firms, Insurance Companies, Third Party Administrators, Hospitals, Medical Experts and Corporations. I specialize in Medical-Malpractice, Personal Injury, Workers' Comp., No Fault Auto and Health Insurance. I have performed numerous services, such as: Summarize medical-records, claim files, accident reports, witness statements & depositions; Screened legal cases for merit; Medical & Legal Journal Research; Create data charts & graphs for expert review and trial display; Develop questions for Depositions & Interrogatories; Draft Motions for Summary Disposition and Mediation Summaries; Provide Risk Management to Hospitals, Clinics, Corporations. Attend IME's with Clients, etc. (Independent Consultant 8/1998-Present).

- EMERGENCY ROOM, URGENT CARE CLINICS AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CLINICS: Working as a Staff RN where I provided Emergency Care plus performed Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT Certified), Rapid Drug Screening (Monitec Certified), Hair Collection (Psychemedics Certified), 12-Lead EKG's, Physicals, Breathing Tests, Eye Exams (Titmus), Hearing Tests, Immunizations, Urine Drug Screening (DOT Certified). OSHA Certified. Independent Nurse Contractor (8/1995-11/2007); (Urgent Care 1/2007-3/2007); Emergency Room (4/2007-6/2007)

- NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE (NICU) @ numerous Metro-Detroit NICU Units working for Nursing Agencies. (7/1985-8/1995) [independent Nurse Contractor]

- NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE (NICU) (7/1983-7/1985)

- ADULT INTENSIVE CARE (AICU) (12/1982-7/1983)

- ADULT INTENSIVE CARE (AICU) (7/1981-12/1982)

- MEDICAL-SURGICAL FLOOR (7/1980-6/1981)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello! My name is Jim Mulligan, and I'm an RN in Michigan. I've recently decided that it's time to sell everything I own, buy a motorhome, and hit the road and see the country.

Because I'm still many years from retirement, I still need to work. I want to avoid the big cities if possible, and spend my time in the remote areas of the northwest and southwest U.S.A. After spending many years working in Adult ICU, Neonatal ICU and ER, I diversified in 1995 and studied Law for 3 years. Since 1998 I've worked for Law Firms and Insurance Companies, and for the last 4 years I've worked as a Medical Case Manager specializing in Workers' Comp. and No-Fault Auto. Anyway, I doubt that I can find jobs doing my current specialty on the road, so I've decided that it's best for me to return to my "RN roots". According to my research, working as a Travel Nurse doing 13 week contracts will provide me with a housing stipend (that I can use to pay for the RV parks) plus health insurance and a pay check. It looks like the demand is greatest if I work in ER, ICU or Med-Surg., but it also looks like Dialysis might be a good option. I know that I'll need to have ~ 1-3 years of recent experience before I can start working as a Travel Nurse, but that's ok because it will take me some time to sell all of my stuff and buy the motorhome. Any suggestions that you can give me would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks, Jim

MY BIO:

JAMES MULLIGAN RN, BSN, MEDICAL-PARALEGAL

TEL: (248) 619-9420 E-mail: [email protected]

EXPERIENCE INCLUDES: Emergency Room, Adult Intensive Care, Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), Medical-Surgical Unit, Occupational Health Clinics, Urgent Care Clinics, Medical-Paralegal, Medical-Legal Consultant, Risk Manager, Medical Case Manager (Telephonic & Field), etc.

EDUCATION:

- RN, BSN: Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science from Oakland University (1982)

- MEDICAL-PARALEGAL: 3 Year Bachelors Degree from an American Bar Association Approved (ABA) Program Plus 1 Year of Legal Research Training at Oakland County Circuit Court with Judge Mester, etc. Oakland Community College (Graduated 1998)

- CERTIFICATIONS: BLS, ACLS and Chain of Custody.

- Auto No-Fault Insurance Law Course: 21 Week Course taught by Atty. James Borin.

- Occupational & Traumatic Medical Case Management: Consulting Physicians.

- Workers' Compensation: Advanced Training Course

- Chain of Custody DOT Certifications: Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT Certified); Urine Drug Screening (DOT Certified); Rapid Drug Screening; Hair Collection Certified.

- OSHA Compliance Course:for Medical & Dental Offices.

- Computer Skills include: PC & Mac (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc.

- Licensed Agent: for Life, Health & Long Term Care Insurance

- Airplane Pilot:Fixed Wing (VFR) and Instrument Rated (IFR)

WORK EXPERIENCE:

- FIELD CASE MANAGER (FCM):Specializing in Workers' Comp. (12/2007-Current)

- TELEPHONIC CASE MANAGER (TCM):Specializing in Workers' Comp. (11/05-11/06)

- MEDICAL-PARALEGAL & MEDICAL-LEGAL CONSULTANT:I've done projects for Law Firms, Insurance Companies, Third Party Administrators, Hospitals, Medical Experts and Corporations. I specialize in Medical-Malpractice, Personal Injury, Workers' Comp., No Fault Auto and Health Insurance. I have performed numerous services, such as: Summarize medical-records, claim files, accident reports, witness statements & depositions; Screened legal cases for merit; Medical & Legal Journal Research; Create data charts & graphs for expert review and trial display; Develop questions for Depositions & Interrogatories; Draft Motions for Summary Disposition and Mediation Summaries; Provide Risk Management to Hospitals, Clinics, Corporations. Attend IME's with Clients, etc. (Independent Consultant 8/1998-Present).

- EMERGENCY ROOM, URGENT CARE CLINICS AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CLINICS: Working as a Staff RN where I provided Emergency Care plus performed Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT Certified), Rapid Drug Screening (Monitec Certified), Hair Collection (Psychemedics Certified), 12-Lead EKG's, Physicals, Breathing Tests, Eye Exams (Titmus), Hearing Tests, Immunizations, Urine Drug Screening (DOT Certified). OSHA Certified. Independent Nurse Contractor (8/1995-11/2007); (Urgent Care 1/2007-3/2007); Emergency Room (4/2007-6/2007)

- NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE (NICU) @ numerous Metro-Detroit NICU Units working for Nursing Agencies. (7/1985-8/1995) [independent Nurse Contractor]

- NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE (NICU) (7/1983-7/1985)

- ADULT INTENSIVE CARE (AICU) (12/1982-7/1983)

- ADULT INTENSIVE CARE (AICU) (7/1981-12/1982)

- MEDICAL-SURGICAL FLOOR (7/1980-6/1981)

Just as a heads up if you don't have a permanent tax home you will be considered an itinerent and will have to pay taxes on every dime you get for traveling. You will have to pay taxes on your stipend or the value of your housing. You can read more about this at www.irs.gov and check out Pub 463. It gives you many scenarios to check what your status is.

I traveled as an HD for 6 and half years. You must pay taxes in every state you work in. Several years I had to file 6 income tax returns. 4 states x 13 weeks each, my home state and a federal form. That's not real fun.

Licensing has gotten much more difficult. Many states are requiring fingerprints now. Of course it helps to have a compact license.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for your heads up. According to the RV forums that I've read, most people set up a residency in Texas or Florida, where there is no state income tax and the insurance rates are cheaper. I'm still doing research on that topic. My main concern right now is deciding on what nursing job I want to do while on the road. Jim

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thanks for your heads up. According to the RV forums that I've read, most people set up a residency in Texas or Florida, where there is no state income tax and the insurance rates are cheaper. I'm still doing research on that topic. My main concern right now is deciding on what nursing job I want to do while on the road. Jim

Residency is not a tax home. You really need to read Pub 463 and understand it. It sorta like DON'T MESS with the IRS..... RV'ers are not tax men. LOL And you are still required to pay taxes in any state you work in. Actually, you might make out better having a tax home in a state with income taxes. As that state gives you credit for payment of taxes in another state. And if you have to pay taxes on all your money you probably won't save any money.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

Hello to all I am an LVN I live in California I want to relocate to Atlanta,Ga

I would like to work as a Dialysis Nurse. I have work in the Home Health Field for 10 Years. Is there classes you take to be a certified Dialysis Tech? Is it wise to try and sign on with a company who are nation wide and then try to relocate? Your feedback would be very helpful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello to all I am an LVN I live in California I want to relocate to Atlanta,Ga

I would like to work as a Dialysis Nurse. I have work in the Home Health Field for 10 Years. Is there classes you take to be a certified Dialysis Tech? Is it wise to try and sign on with a company who are nation wide and then try to relocate? Your feedback would be very helpful.

The big two Fresenius and DaVita do inhouse training. Do pay to be trained in HD. You will have to be certified, I believe at 18 months, post hire. Many states don't use LVN's as they can't give IVP meds. I'd check with Georgia before I decided to relocate there as you may not be able to work in HD. Also, be aware that the South in general doesn't pay any where near what Cali pays.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion