Our FA told our staff this week that CMS is going to cut Medicare reimbursements by 2% for sure and is considering a nearly 10% cut that will result in a lot of smaller dialysis clinics closing...
I have been hearing alot of changes coming in the future for dialysis, none sound very good. What have you all heard & how do you think it will affect our careers as dialysis professionals in the...
I have been in dialysis since 2000, started with Fresenius then went to Davita. I have worked in some great clinics & 1 particular clinic that was an absolute hellhole. It is hard work, but I...
When I started in dialysis, I trained with a PCT to learn about the machines, cannulation, how to troubleshoot the machine when alarms go off. I learned alot from the PCT's I worked with then, and...
I agree with your post, but your insights about patients come from years of experience. Our OP may be a young nurse starting out & has not gained these insights yet. Kind words of instruction go...
The nurse/patient ratios vary from state to state. In NC, there is no set limit for tech/patient ratio, but the general norm is 4 pts to each tech & 25 patients for 1 nurse. Now, with the new...
I agree with Acute Dialysis RN. You should go ahead & apply for the job. Clinics would like to get nurses with dialysis experience & certification, but there are not alot of them out there. I...
These patients with severe hypertension need to control their fluid gains, avoid high sodium foods, & take their bp meds as directed. If they are doing all these things & their bp continues...
The clinics that I have worked in used to have ACLS meds at one time & there was discussion a few years ago about requiring nurses to have ACLS certification. But that fell away because there has...
Watch the experienced techs & nurses who are good "stickers". They will give you alot of helpful tips to make it easier for you. Sticking accesses is different, but remember that the grafts are...
In my state there are no dialysis training programs. I got a job at a dialysis clinic & got all on the job training. The clinics will train you in everything you need to know, they have classes...
Davita is not too bad to work for. At my clinic, there are only 2 RN's so we each work 3 days a week. I'm not sure how they schedule at larger clinics, probably 4 10-hour days. Davita likes for...
I agree with the previous posts 100%. Dialysis is not the place for a new grad. You need good assessment skills & the ability to supervise the techs. They can make or break your day, &...
Rock nurse has described the charge nurse's duties very well. It is a lot of headaches because you are responsible not only for your own patients but for supervising the rest of the team as well. It...
Try to go with Davita first before FMC. I believe Davita is more patient-oriented than FMC, but it depends on the staff at the individual clinics as to how good or bad it is to work for them. If you...