dilemma between FMC and Davita...which one?anyone?

Trvln Nurse, RN · Sep 3, 2006

I think it depend on what clinic and where you go. I'm an experienced travel hemo RN. I worked at a nice FMC clinic....but have heard horror stories about others. I'm currently working in a Davita clinic in Florida....what a horror! I can't wait until this assignment finishes. I guess it all depends on the management and where you go. Sad huh!? I wish these large companies would show more care/concern for their staff and their patients.

Migrant_Renal_RN · Sep 3, 2006

As a traveler, I did it all. Acutes, chronics, peds, FMC, DaVita, hospital based, etc....worked for several different companies. There are openings almost anywhere that you would want to go. If you want to know more, let me know. It is great, for the right people. ttyl:)

Migrant_Renal_RN · Sep 3, 2006

what part of florida are you in? what is the staffing ratio? reuse?

painthorsecrazyRN · Sep 9, 2006

Hi,

I presently work at Davita, and have worked before for Fresenius. Davita pays more around here (south Georgia). I did do acute dialysis in a large hospital, I liked working in a hospital better for dialysis, but I got tired of driving so far so I went to work at this clinic locally. Outpatient is rough and the co-workers make it even harder. At the two outpatient clinics I have worked at, the techs treat us like crap. The LPN's do not treat us much better. I am a hard worker and so is the other RN, but they will always treat us like we are ignorant and incompetant. I will probably be turning in my notice next week. I have had enough. The facility administrator will not do anything about the crap me and the other RN have to deal with. If we are not there she has to be there, and she will be gone next week so I can imagine what kind of week I am in for. Makes for a long hard day. Be prepared if you live in the south, the north and west may be better and I have been told by many that it is, but unfortunately, I live here. Davita bought out Gambro, and the Gambro machines are cadillac's compared to the Fresenius junk I have used. I am sure there are many people who will disagree, but oh well we are all entitled to our own opinion.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:

nomadness · Aug 28, 2008

my wife has been in dialysis for 20 years most recently with fmc for 10. she wants to travel within fmc through their agency. do any travelers know any horror stories about acute or chronic units in nc especially raleigh. shortages are everywhere but where are the worst units on the east coast

sunshine9403 · Aug 29, 2008

DaVita is a great company!! I have been with the company less than a year, but they are very positive!! We are currently experiencing a staffing crunch, which will hopefully end soon. I was a traveler for 5 years in Dialysis and did an Acute stint in Pittsburg w/FMC and chronic in Phoenix where I worked floating charge in 7 clinic. I love dialysis, but as a new nurse manager, I have to say that I have never had a harder job!! Good Luck, if you don't find what you are looking for come to Daytona!!

Just wondering what travel dialysis is like? And what companys you traveled with? How much dialysis experience do you need? Is each clinic/acute setting basically the same?

dialysisguy · Aug 29, 2008

I like FMC better than DaVita:typing

DG:jester:

Urbandjazz1 · Oct 2, 2008

:nurse:Worked for Davita for a couple of months. They would not support me on a threat from a patient. Let me go after I filed charges against him and had him arrested. Won in court and they still would not give me my job back. Now work for FMC. Very happy. Pay could be better. Just as well, I could not in good faith work for a company that would not support me on a physical threat from a patient.

land27 · Oct 17, 2008

I work for FMC now going on 1 1/2 years in an acute unit that was previously RCG. I am paid an appropriate wage (little more would be nice) and can get quarterly bonuses up to $500 for being preceptor. It has by no means been a walk in the park. I have found that dialysis nurses in general are a bit more catty, overworked, misunderstood, and abrasive than any other specialty I have come across. I have been told that it also depends on which business unit you work for and that the southern business unit of FMC is better to it's employees. Keep in mind that the training you recieve is usually with a contract requireing a one year commitment minnimum or rerpayment if you leave early. Ask to shadow the nurses you will be working with prior to committing to anything and do it on a monday and tuesday (2days) in the clinic you would be working for and observe.....and ask questions of the staff with regards to job satisfaction, likes/dislikes, etc..... patients may give you some good feedback as to how things in the dialysis unit are going as well....after all they seeeverything.

Aquamarine · Oct 17, 2008

Have you worked for either of these companies before or are working for them at present? What was it like? What about your compensation? What is the starting salary? sorry for these many queries ... I am asking such because I would love to continue my career as a dialysis nurse and need some enlightenment regarding these matters...Hope to hear from you coz I'm going to have an interview with DaVita next week and waiting for Fresenius also...Thanks...

I personally think the job atmospehre is up to the FA RN. They control the job in many ways. The pay? it is relative to the area, and not that much variance. If you are good, have excellent skills you can ask for more money and guess what...they will pay it. They can ask the company The benefits, I think they also are just about the same. I know in some cities the pay rate for dialysis is so very high and others it is moderate. I know of two units in my area, the FA in the Davita unit isn't so good, the one in the Fresenius is unstable...the pay is supposed to be better in the FS unit, but the benefits slightly cheaper in the Davita unit. The Fa in the Davita unit will work around school scheduling, the FA in the FS unit won't, the location of the davita unit is easier access from the expressway. The parking is good in both, the neighborhood better in the FS unit. So those are the things you have to weigh out. It would be nice if they allowed you a day to observe but don't know if they would, I think they might. See how the unit flows.

I like my unit better and it is a Davita unit but that is personal. We just had a bunch go over to FS, and more power to them. Frankly they were not that good of workers and so it is a blessing. But if they found what they needed there, then good for them.

You can't tell what a Facility adminstrator is like on an interview, just like they can't tell what you are like. They get to see your resume and call your ex supervisors, etc. You don't have that advantage. There is always something they ask that is a key question to what they are looking for that might be the decision. I have one boss that smokes like a chimmney and so the smoking question doesn't come up. I had one boss that told me she tells the person where they can go to smoke and then asks if they do. If they do...she doesn't hire them. Tricks like that. So watch your answers and try to really get a feel for the unit. Arrive 15-20 min ealry and listen when you are waiting....what is the general flavor of the place.

Good luck, if you don't like it ....you can go anywhere.

Aquamarine · Oct 17, 2008

I work for FMC now going on 1 1/2 years in an acute unit that was previously RCG. I am paid an appropriate wage (little more would be nice) and can get quarterly bonuses up to $500 for being preceptor. It has by no means been a walk in the park. I have found that dialysis nurses in general are a bit more catty, overworked, misunderstood, and abrasive than any other specialty I have come across. I have been told that it also depends on which business unit you work for and that the southern business unit of FMC is better to it's employees. Keep in mind that the training you recieve is usually with a contract requireing a one year commitment minnimum or rerpayment if you leave early. Ask to shadow the nurses you will be working with prior to committing to anything and do it on a monday and tuesday (2days) in the clinic you would be working for and observe.....and ask questions of the staff with regards to job satisfaction, likes/dislikes, etc..... patients may give you some good feedback as to how things in the dialysis unit are going as well....after all they seeeverything.

You are fight about the cattiness. I think they have too much time on thier hands then. You work in a fish bowl and maybe that contributes, don't know...but your observation is true and shamefull. I think your advice is excellent. Observe, shadow, and ask questions before saying yes to a job. That is your interview of the place. Great advice.

Aquamarine · Oct 17, 2008

Not every where. Several of their clinics I've wondered why they even needed a traveler.
In a Davita clinic I was the only nurse with 20 patients with techs. Did all the assessments, and meds for 2 shifts. Saw the other nurse who worked opposite me 3 times in 6 months.
Like I said before it's a crap shoot. Who ever needs nurses worse wins. If you have Davita and Fresenius in the same area.

We have much better RN coverage in our Davita unit which is security for our licenses. I am grateful for that.