Newly hired into Dialysis...at a loss over change since job offered

[Lucky724]

I posted this under general discussion but since this is dialysis position I would like feedback from dialysis nurses. I hesitated to post but have now reached the point I am not going to be concerned if my post is read by someone who may know who I am...I am beside myself over this issue and I am NOT one who gets wound up over things. I interviewed for a FT position with Fresenius recently..was offered the job and accepted. However, AFTER accepting I was told a few things that were NOT remotely hinted at/told to me during the interview process nor during the initial screening for the position over the phone..such as...I will not have a home office though the position was only advertised for the one in the area I live - I am expected to work in one of several offices given the need. I wouldn't have a problem with this except the other 2 are 60-70 miles one way from where I live. The other bit of news is the orientation will take place 90 miles one way from my home AND 80 miles from my home at the 2 "headquarters." The orientation length of time (days) time isn't firm..it can be anywhere from a week to 4 months. I cannot afford to drive back and forth nor can I afford to stay somewhere even during the week. They have not offered nor responded to my question regarding gas/mileage/ possible hotel..Evidently, traveling is part of the job, which was NOT discussed as is taking call for ALL the facilities with in a 100 mile radius. Had I known all these things I would not have applied, interviewed or accepted. I spent last night applying like crazy for other jobs but with the job market as it is I felt blessed to have been given this FT opportunity. Even for seasoned nurses its difficult. I did not tell the HR person any of my concerns when I found this out because, frankly, unless I can secure something else before the start date I have no choice but to at least begin this position as I resigned from my other part time job to take this one. I can't go back to them now!

I realize now this may be why the position was advertised for so long (several months)..maybe they had other people interview etc then find this out. I feel like I was not given the full scope of the job intentionally and certainly would not have known or thought to ask. Is this the norm for dialysis? I've never worked dialysis before, was excited about the change but now:idea:

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Are these chronic dialysis units that you will be going to? You were hired as a float RN?

I'm an APN who though I work IN FMC units, I don't work FOR FMC. In the units that I go to, there seem to be some float staff, both RN and techs (in IL there are no LPNs in FMC units). However, most of the staff stay put.

I can understand the training being done at a central point - that's how it is in my area too. However, once the RNs finish training, they go to THEIR unit. Doubt they would want a new dialysis RN as a float RN - most of the ones I've seen have years of dialysis experience.

[Lucky724]

I called the hiring person and declined the position. I was honest..told her much of what she informed me of was after the fact of being hired and had I known I would not have applied/interviewed to begin with,etc., that I didn't have the money to be getting a hotel for 12 weeks or the money for gas back and forth if I chose to drive the 160 miles/day/everyday (no reimbursement). This position was a home therapies position. She had literally no response. Just said "ok" and that was it. I contacted my former employer who said she would be happy to have me return and had not yet completed my resignation paperwork so I am more relieved for sure. I am wiser for all this now that's for sure..

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Good luck - sounds like you made the right decision for your situation.

[MJB2010]

Wow, I responded to your previous post in the general nursing section, and I sympathised with you about how I was also surprised with a bunch of lies that were told during my hiring process. Little did I know it was the same company. I am glad you were able to find something that worked for you! I am stuck for now. I had already quit my former job and started the training when all of the truths started to show. The training ended up costing me a ton in gas & meals. I was told I would get mileage at one rate, then told that they changed the policy and the person who hired me must not have known. I was told 10 hour shifts and with such a long commute I was willing to do 10 hours, not 14 which is what I got. I do like the job now though, but it does not bode well that they have to lie to get us in the door and then you get guilted into staying once you call them on the BS. Glad you were able to go back to your other job! best of luck to you. Truth be told, if they had told me all the truths in the interview, there is no way I would have taken the job. Now that I am in the job I am making the best of it and trying to stick it out for a year I really do like the patients a lot. If I am unhappy in 6 months I am going to try to transfer somewhere closer to home.

[jessicaa713]

Hi did this job ever work out for you?

[Lucky724]

Still trying....hoping to know something today

[Marisette, BSN, RN]

Home Therapies jobs at FMC and Davita involve considerable travel, not only to training sites, but also patient home visits. I believe that medicare requires home visits to patients homes yearly. The dialysis companies want nurses to do more than medicare requires to promot quality care... Home Therapies nurses typically take on call coverage after hours to service patients in the home setting with problems and questions. Because the dialysis centers are usually located in various clinics or outpatient buildings and center, travel to distant areas for training is routine. This is not a good position for nurses who don't care for travel. In my experience, managers and administrators who hire the nurses don't explain all this because they don't know. There are too many layers of management in these large dialysis companys. You may wish to transfer to a hemodiaysis unit and avoid the travel in home therapies.

[Lucky724]

I knew about the home visits..the issue was traveling ALL the time (several days a week) to other clinics in and out of my home state for training that could easily be done at the home facility..there was a "by the seat of the pants" scheduling to this position, which for me, wasn't a good match. I resigned shortly after taking this position. The manager never acknowledged my phone calls, emails or resignation. Had they been honest about the requirements from the beginning I would've passed on the job offer...since resigning, I've learned this is not a new practice to this particular company - saying one thing in the interview and another once hired. The fact the manager was not willing to talk with me about my concerns or even respond to my resignation tells me even MORE about about this company and I now have no regrets about leaving so soon.

[Marisette, BSN, RN]

I believe you made the right decision. I have worked for this company and encoutered similar experience with travel to distant facilities for training and meetings. Unfortunately, I did not catch on early and decided to put up with it because it appeared to be a temporarty thing - training. However, the traveling kept coming up more frequently as the years went by. There are always new equipment training, inservices and meetings that come up during the course of years employment and there is usually mandatory attendance. I wished I had figured this out early on. I'm glad you discovered this in time and that you were able to get your job back.