Need Info On Davita..........

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I HAVE BEEN OFFERRED A JOB WITH DAVITA, AND WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE COULD HELP ME OUT AND GIVE ME SOME IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT, IS IT A GOOD CO, ARE THE BENEFITS GOOD AND IS IT REALLY ABOUT TEAMWORK?

THANKS

Specializes in Dialysis, Long-term care, Med-Surg.

I am currently working for Davita while in nursing school, and my center (Oklahoma) is pretty flexible with the scheduling. I will say, the bonuses are based on the patients labs and how well we educate them. I think this is really crazy because no matter how we educate, some of the patients are going to be non-compliant. I'm not sure if I will continue with the company after I graduate in the summer, but it's ok for now.

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Specializes in Dialysis, Emergency, Research, F. P..

First of all, I commend all of you who work for Davita and have great relationships that show what the company actually stands for. I am however a former Davita employee. I was the only LPN when I worked there (and the only one since I left the last time I spoke with any former co workers). I too experienced the horror stories and was told I would not last. I stuck it out for eight months. The facility that I worked at was just awful, if you were not a ***kissing team member.

I departed my employment not by choice... I was placed on complete bedrest by my OB for a high risk pregnancy at 4 mo. Followed all company rules regarding the "Davita Leave of Absence" reported updates for my condition, even up to the date of delivery. At the six week post partum, I called to tell my FA when I could return to work and found out that she had terminated my employment 3 months earlier without any notice to me.

So watch yourselves closely if you have a FA that is vindictive or uncaring.

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Specializes in Dialysis, Med Surg, Home Care.

I just found this forum tonight...and I have to say, I just had to laugh. I started out with DaVita 2 years ago, in another state. I worked for a little over a year at one facility, and I swear I spent every night after the first 8 months crying. So I thought maybe I needed a change, I evidently just couldn't get along with the techs. So I ended up picking up some extra hours at another unit. The techs there were fabulous, well at least until I actually made the transfer permanent to their clinic, then it was like night and day...they were awful. Thankfully, someone was watching out over me because I got a phone call from my hubby who was on vacation in a very southern sunny state and said he bought a house! So within 5 months of my transfer, I was moving....to another DaVita unit! I've been here now 3 months and am anxiously waiting results from an interview with a hospice center. I cannot WAIT to be out of DaVita! We will now be going to 16 hr shifts, the shortcuts scare the hell out of me, FA's seem to have their hands tied, or just don't care, and to me it's all about "get em in, get em on and get em out" so the next shift can get on. I'm tired, physically and mentally, and I'm ready to move on. Unfortunately, Kimmy, I understand all too well how you can think everything will work out, but it seems like your butting your head against the wall. Too much to do, not enough time to do it properly, and no one who cares. I'm just holding my breath for the phone to ring from hospice. It's time. Good luck...

Pam

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Hello everyone,

I've been on this site many of times but this is actually my first time leaving a message. I have an interview tomorrow with Davita. Well first let me tell you that I'm an LVN. I would like to know there starting salary for LVNs in southern california (Los Angeles), I have 2 1/2 years experience not in dialysis. I read about all the benefits on their website, but I want to know about pay pay pay. I read so many horrible stories about dialysis clinics on this site and I hope it will be better for me. I'm tired of the charge nurse positions in SNF and tired of home health. I want something challenging that the average LVN isn't doing.

:typing

Thanks so much in advance...

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this is the most interesting forum to me-

i applied and interviewed with a Davita clinic and have even done the physical and drug testing but am not so sure after reading these posts.

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Specializes in dialysis (mostly) some L&D, Rehab/LTC.
Oops dont forget the appts with other doctors you are supposed to make or the orders the doc in your facility walks around and never writes because you do it for him.

What's up with that...when I worked in CA, the docs actually pulled out the chart and wrote the orders so you knew exactly what they wanted... moved to TX and they walk around giving orders and you have to write every thing out for them and some time down the road some doc comes in and signs orders... and they are TO when the dr is standing right there. Such lazy butts... Im wondering why the State doesnt stop things like that.:no:

I work for FMC...won't do Davita

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Specializes in dialysis (mostly) some L&D, Rehab/LTC.
I will say, the bonuses are based on the patients labs and how well we educate them. I think this is really crazy because no matter how we educate, some of the patients are going to be non-compliant. I'm not sure if I will continue with the company after I graduate in the summer, but it's ok for now.

LOL, you can kiss :trout: that bonus bah bye!!!!!

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First of all, I commend all of you who work for Davita and have great relationships that show what the company actually stands for. I am however a former Davita employee. I was the only LPN when I worked there (and the only one since I left the last time I spoke with any former co workers). I too experienced the horror stories and was told I would not last. I stuck it out for eight months. The facility that I worked at was just awful, if you were not a ***kissing team member.

I departed my employment not by choice... I was placed on complete bedrest by my OB for a high risk pregnancy at 4 mo. Followed all company rules regarding the "Davita Leave of Absence" reported updates for my condition, even up to the date of delivery. At the six week post partum, I called to tell my FA when I could return to work and found out that she had terminated my employment 3 months earlier without any notice to me.

So watch yourselves closely if you have a FA that is vindictive or uncaring.

Yes I know, you have to watch but also you should call the dept of labor. I would make a little booklet of the times you called. dThat happens when there is no union, they can do what they want, and also have their buddies get the better raises. You would be shocked. It was better for you you were forced to leave...trust me. Otherwise you may have stayed...and that wouldn't be good long term.

There is corruption everywhere! you still should be able to get a dialysis job anywhere, and your reason for termination is a good one, doesn't make you look bad either. Good luck. :nurse:

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I hate to be so negative....but don't sell your soul to the devil! LOL. Seriously though, I've worked for Davita for 4 years...and yes, they are helping me finish my RN degree...but they really do suck the life out of you. Crappy benefits...no retirement...and they work you to the core. Honestly, I don't need to work out after I work a full day - I sweat, my heart rate increases, I bust my booty running around that floor. And you get no thanks. Not from the company..or the patients (I know, they are chronic care so what do you expect?) You get decent vacay time, if you actually have the staffing to take one. I can't give you alternatives since I am stuck with them 2 yrs after I graduate...or else I have to pay them back part of my tuition. So please, think about it, and good luck to you!

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I hate to be so negative....but don't sell your soul to the devil! LOL. Seriously though, I've worked for Davita for 4 years...and yes, they are helping me finish my RN degree...but they really do suck the life out of you. Crappy benefits...no retirement...and they work you to the core. Honestly, I don't need to work out after I work a full day - I sweat, my heart rate increases, I bust my booty running around that floor. And you get no thanks. Not from the company..or the patients (I know, they are chronic care so what do you expect?) You get decent vacay time, if you actually have the staffing to take one. I can't give you alternatives since I am stuck with them 2 yrs after I graduate...or else I have to pay them back part of my tuition. So please, think about it, and good luck to you!

I agree....I try to talk myself into liking Davita. The FA can make it or break it. One week it is okay to do something, the way you are taught, the next week you will get written up. The pay isn't bad, the raises stink, again...who smokes with the FA will get not only a raise, but the inside scoop on what is happening with new policies...the ones spoken outdoors over a good stick of tobacco. And right...the FA decides who gets to use their paid time off...you know the time you EARN. I can't use mine, guesss it is time to get the medical stuff done...the only way I will get to use it. The thing is she will say whatever her superiors want to hear, they don't give a darn...just say what we wan't to hear. Crazy is what I call it. If people couldn't smoke, we would be fine...and if wwe got a legit FA. That is the problem, no union where you shouldn't need one but with a FA like that...you do need one.

People get to shop on the clock, and I Don't mean in the same bldg. Depends on who you are friends with.

It stinks. The little visits the company makes aren't enough. A camera would be great....!!!!:no:

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Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.
You get decent vacay time, if you actually have the staffing to take one. I can't give you alternatives since I am stuck with them 2 yrs after I graduate...or else I have to pay them back part of my tuition. So please, think about it, and good luck to you!

So.... if you put in a vacation/PTO request, Davita will deny your time off? Even if you have the hours saved up and give ample notice? Are they THAT understaffed? Can you talk to the unit scheduling person and find out what weeks DO work and work around other people's vacations? Or do they flat out refuse all vacations because they'd rather work you to the core? I'm going to train in with Davita after I get my RN and I've been impressed with how they describe their orientation program but I NEED my yearly vacations. Hope someone can clarify.

And you get no thanks. Not from the company..or the patients (I know, they are chronic care so what do you expect?)

Yes, nursing can sure be a thankless job sometimes. Question: Are there many nurses that feel valued at their jobs and by their employees/pts? Maybe since I don't need to be showered with praise, going to Davita won't be such a change?

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so.... if you put in a vacation/pto request, davita will deny your time off? even if you have the hours saved up and give ample notice? are they that understaffed? can you talk to the unit scheduling person and find out what weeks do work and work around other people's vacations? or do they flat out refuse all vacations because they'd rather work you to the core? i'm going to train in with davita after i get my rn and i've been impressed with how they describe their orientation program but i need my yearly vacations. hope someone can clarify......

ican't say enough about the davita training at the schools they have, especially certain ones. it is class "a" :loveya:...all the way and i am not so easily impressed. however, what you see there and what you see in the particular facility...can be "night and day". if the people in in the administrative offices of the davita corp had a video on our building, especially the back of the building they wouldnt need words to describe the integrity of the fa or what goes on in or should i say outside the facility. and the fa who is outside with all her buddies and people trying to get into her buddy circle would all be busted and out of jobs i would hope. but that is just a fantasy.

they want to "pull" nurses in...there is a shortage everywhere especially in dialysis. so they will say what they have to say in the interview to get you in of course. but once you are in, once you are all trained, you become just a number....but again, each facility is run almost independently. there are times davita will send their management team in to "observe" and on those days it looks quite professional, breaks outside the building are then "limited" to the normal amount of time ....almost. at least no one notices. where i work there is a following....the fa has her favorites. i over heard a conversation outside where they were smoking and she told her friends not to worry she had their backs on raises...and they would get it going back retroactively to when she was "suppposed" to do their annual reviews. my annual review came 10 months after it should have. my raise of 30 cents was hardly enough to pay for the increase in gas to get there, not to mention housing, utilities, etc. her friends got much much more. they also have a pick of the holidays and vacations. some of them are "per diem" and should not have picks before the regular employees. it is what it is...and the beat goes on.

there is other behind the scenes immoral activity going on. if you smoke with the boss...hey? it is okay. if not, you are odd man out. i have a high work ethic. i never sit down. i keep working. i followed what was done in that school that davia has. i was called into the bosses office and told i was "too thourough" ! because i want my machines primed and recirculated according to policy. they don't do that unless davita is watching...maybe twice a year. a few times the charge nurse would prime my machine, tell me it was recirc'ed...and i know it wasn't. they the lines fill with air and the patient is at risk although you ccan clamp them off and reset the lines up again, and take another chance. i always say "was this machine recirc'ed?", and they say yes but it wasn't because that would not happen.

it stinks, i love dialysis. i am a hard worker. i also confided in the fa and she went and told the people that were doing unsafe things. it stinks all the way up to the fa. we have a management company. they came in and spoke to the employees confidentially. don't fall for it...they went back and told her everything everyone said! no kidding. the fa herself told me that in one of her blabbing sessions when we were alone at night. and yes i have over 100 hours coming and they have denied my vacation more than once. saying someone else is going out. or she is gone on vacation, or whatever bs they have to say. and they wonder about turnover. the charge nurse lets her friends go to the store on the clock! i told the fa and she told the charge nurse and it still goes on. i don't mean the store in the vacinity of the building, i mean get into your car and drive to another area store. now if that is happening, who do you think the responsibility falls on? who do you think will have a bigger risk of losing their licience? think about it.

my advice...get your training and take it to a hospital with acutes, you will earn more and get more diverse training. or take it to another facility. davita has the best training.

the patients are so wonderful and appreciative, it can make you cry. i actually was going to donate a kidney. my family is small, i don't need two. my doctor doesn't think the surgery will be safe for me and i probably won't but haven't let the idea go yet. still considering. that is how you will feel for your patients. the bond with them, no matter what walk of life...is strong.

good luck. take the experience and the excellent training.:bow:

yes, nursing can sure be a thankless job sometimes. question: are there many nurses that feel valued at their jobs and by their employees/pts? maybe since i don't need to be showered with praise, going to davita won't be such a change?

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