New Grad dialysis (california). Is this still happening/possible?

[BlueEyedGuy]

I've read accounts of people getting into training programs with companies out of school, and some companies have hints about these programs on their websites, but no real information

It this a state practice act thing? I called one clinic (a Fresenius) and they said they cannot hire New Grads due to a CMS regulation requiring 1 year of experience. It also seems that some companies may get around these requirements by having you work as a "Tech" the first year. Is that how it works?

Once again, I'm in California if that helps.

I know some people will say going into a specialty like this right off is a bad idea, but it's a tough job market and I want to cast a wide net as I've apply from everything from ER(my passion) to SICU, corrections, mental health, public health, and more.

[Erikadawn RN]

I work for Fresenius now, and I was in training with 2 brand new R.N. I know that you have to work with another nurse for the first 6 months. Not like you are following them, but you have to work another R.N. I first worked with a small dialysis company, my admin was a nurse who was usually in her office, but I was not alone. It usually comes down to the individual units..

[DialysisRN12]

In a clinic/chronic setting, you cannot be charge RN until you have at least 1 year of nursing experience and 3 months dialysis experience. This is a CMS regulation. And as previous poster said, varies by clinic as to who they will hire. If ER is truly where you want to be, I personally would keep hitting the hospitals and stay out of dialysis.

[DialysisRN12]

And really to learn dialysis, it's good to work a group/pod of patients as a "tech." Your organization skills will be finely honed and if you can handle the chaotic and frantic pace, you'll be better prepared if that's still what you want.

[sadvin]

I was a new grad RN in Southern California when I started with DaVita 6 mo ago. In speaking to some float RNs who also work at Fresenius, Fresenius won't hire/train new grads. DaVita seems to be a different story and, like the other poster on this thread stated, seems to work on a case by case basis.

I initially didn't have much of an interest in dialysis, but a friend of mine encouraged me and another new grad friend of mine to apply so that we could get some RN experience on our resumes--that's what she did and was hired at a NICU 6 mo later while still working per diem in dialysis. My new grad friend applied first and was contacted by a recruiter only to be told that DaVita would not hire a new grad (despite all the new grad training information on their website).

When I applied, I was able to get a referral from a former Facility Administrator and current PD nurse who personally contacted some local FA's for me. From that point, I had an informal phone interview with an FA, who then contacted the recruiter and requested my resume be sent to him for a formal interview (this was the same recruiter who turned my friend away). I interviewed in person, twice, and was offered the job. I received a total of 4 months training (2.5 mo as a tech and then 1.5 as an RN). The only limitation I'm being held to is that I can't open/close the unit (basically, work as the only RN in the building) until I've had a year of RN experience.

That new grad friend of mine did not get a dialysis job, but worked in hospice for about 3 mo, continued to apply elsewhere, and was hired as a new grad in the NICU at a county hospital. We both have the same amount of RN experience (time-wise), but because she has hospital experience, she was recently contacted for Kaiser position we both applied for while I wasn't. Just something for you to think about. While dialysis will pay your bills, if you want to work in an ER, you might want to focus your efforts on getting into a hospital.

[Erikadawn RN]

It comes down to the individual unit if they want to hire and train you. That is not a Fresenius policy, as I have stated before I am in class with 2 brand new graduate R.N's, who this. Is there first nursing job. Maybe because the job market is not great in Cali, they can pick and choose. I live in Pennsylvania.