Help

Published

I am a RN in NM, have been for 2 years and LPN for a year prior. I have RN experience, and have been trying to get into dialysis nursing with no luck. Any suggestions??? I really want a career in dialysis, how can I get my foot in the door????? Would you recommend doing an online program that includes no hands on training??? I am considering this as an option to show the recruiters that I am serious about this. Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have you applied to any of the outpatient facilities near you? That would be your best bet to get started. Then once you have some experience you can get into a hospital/acute setting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been applying to fresenius and davita job postings with no luck yet!!! Getting discouraged now.....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Dialysis, Hospice.

What kind of RN experience do you have?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work on a subacute/rehab unit at the local hospital....been there for 1 year 7 months now....prior to that I worked in a LTC facility for 1 1/2 years...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology.

The systems davita and FMC use for hiring are manager intensive and many apps get lost in the shuffle. Go to the units and drop a hard copy of your resume after you put in an online one, this should go with out saying but look professional when you do so and be nice to the unit secretary no matter how they act towards you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Have you considered re-locating within the state? I know there are serious openings.....expand your search.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi,

dialysis is a more acute setting than longterm care or rehab care. It requires quick decision making and in my opinion you have to be the right person to do dialysis. This is a job where not everybody is a good candidate. If you have no acute hospital experience it can be hard to find a position in dialysis. You may have more luck in chronic dialysis where the population is more stable and you have ongoing support through nurses and technicians working in the same clinic. In acute dialysis patients are much sicker and you have to work much more independently. I am not saying it is not possible to change from rehab to dialysis, but my best bet is to try chronic dialysis if you have a good understanding of technical stuff and can work in high volume. In acute dialysis it is true that I sit for a couple of hours when I go to the ICU, PACU and so on once the patient is connected to the machine and things run smoothly. But if you have a room in acutes where you have two patients at a time it is usually more stressful and you also have to oversee technicians.

In chronic dialysis the patients are less acute and no on call duty (usually), set days and Sundays off but it is more stressful in terms of workflow.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond.... I am going to keep looking and applying, and will try dropping off resumes in person! Hopefully, I will hear something soon....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You can always apply online and then call and ask for the manager also. This is what I had done previously and the manager brought me in the next day. You could always ask around and see if any of your friends know anyone who works there also.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I finally got called back from Davita and FMC. I've had the phone interview with the recruiter from Davita and got called for second interview. Next week I have an interview with FMC. So excited. Thanks for all your help everyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment