CocoaGirl

CocoaGirl

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All Content by CocoaGirl

  1. Anyone been at a clinic taken over by DaVita or FMS?

    CocoaGirl replied to wordsmith's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    Hello, our dialysis clinic was "acquired" about 2 years ago by Fresenius. It was the most unorganized and difficult transition that could possibly have occured. I wish I was exaggerating when I tell...

  2. potassium/dialysate bath

    CocoaGirl replied to LPN2RNBSN's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    At our FMC unit if K > 4.5 use 2K & if 6), the K level is checked every week on these pts. These parameters were set by our Medical Director & work well. My biggest gripe is that even...

  3. Dialysis companies other than DaVita

    CocoaGirl replied to purple yam's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    I currently work at a Fresenius clinic & would advise against this company, unless you like counting every drop of Epo, working short staffed & not being able to take any time off. I love...

  4. What do you want to tell Nursing Students?

    CocoaGirl replied to jessiern's topic in General Nursing

    Another pet peeve is to not bring your cell phone onto the floor, trying to discreetly (sp) text with the phone in your pocket is VERY annoying. Besides it looks very unprofessional,

  5. Knowing what you know now about nursing, what other career would you have chosen?

    CocoaGirl replied to 2bNurseguru's topic in General Nursing

    I wish I would have become a dental hygenist. I have a friend who is one, works Mon thru Thurs 10 hr shifts, no evenings, weekends or holidays. The real kick in the pants is that she makes more $$$...

  6. Certified Nephrology Nurse

    CocoaGirl replied to maila's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    Wordsmith you are so right about having contenment more that $$$. I too worked for a privately owned dialysis facility for over 10 years, it had its ups & downs, but I really loved it. We were...

  7. Certified Nephrology Nurse

    CocoaGirl replied to maila's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    Don't be too quick to think that Fresenius is a great company to work for. Yes they have decent benefits, but the cost to employees for coverage is extremely high. They do not give you any extra...

  8. Dialysis Staffing

    CocoaGirl replied to CocoaGirl's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    jnette the reason that there is a 3:1 ratio in the neighboring state is that it is a state mandated ratio set by the kidney commission, believe me if it were up to FMC they would be 4:1. I know 4:1...

  9. puching out 'no break'

    CocoaGirl replied to hollyberry678's topic in General Nursing

    The biggest issue at the outpatient dialysis unit where I'm employeed is that we are not allowed to clock in until 15mins prior to starting of the shift, which does not leave adequate time to get the...

  10. Staffing

    CocoaGirl replied to momRNof3's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    4:1 ratio is too much given the acuity of many of our patients. I currently work in in a state with 4:1 ratio, 12 chairs. We have 3 techs & I am the only licensed staff in the building. Our...

  11. Do you understand your paycheck??

    CocoaGirl replied to UM Review RN's topic in General Nursing

    I always keep track of my time in a book, I write down when I clock in & when I clock out. I am the only RN in the unit (dialysis clinic) & can't leave for lunch. The company didn't think I...

  12. Advice needed please

    CocoaGirl replied to JillRNColorado's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    I have been in chronic outpt dialysis for over 12 years, I hate the business aspect of working for a large company (FMC), but I truly do like the patients, families & for the most part my PCT'S....

  13. Davita Employees.....

    CocoaGirl replied to Hooligan's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    Wow, I thought Lacie was describing Fresenius there for a minute. I think it is wrong that Davita & Fresenius make HUGE profits while staffing and patient care are terrible. The regional...

  14. 17- year-old girl needs liver transplant, CIGNA denies

    CocoaGirl replied to pickledpepperRN's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    I am totally at a loss for words here, how can anyone who works in case management at a "big insurance company" state that "...decisions are based on medical necessity and not cost containment." How...

  15. Salary Pay for Fresenius Medical or Davita?

    CocoaGirl replied to naz220's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    I work for FMC and have 20 years nursing experience (12 in dialysis & for FMC since they bought out our private unit 2 yrs ago). I don't want to burst your bubble, you sound very excited, but...

  16. What ice storm? Get yourself to work!!

    CocoaGirl replied to RunningWithScissors's topic in General Nursing

    At the facility where I work, the same people would call in for bad weather. Other staff, who lived further away from the facility could make it to work. They would say they were "attempting" to try...

  17. hard to deal

    CocoaGirl replied to PLTSGT's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    At the unit where I work, we have had a few patients that can't have heparin for various reasons. We flush their dialyzer during treatment every 30 mins with 100 NSS to prevent clotting. The...

  18. Davita - Should I take it/should I not????

    CocoaGirl replied to wyrleygirl1's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    I couldn't agree more with Lacie, the large dialysis companies will do anything for $$$$$. Fresenius is not any better, staffing is horrible, morale is low and patient care is not their top priority....

  19. AV Graft reverse cannulation

    CocoaGirl replied to GeauxNursing's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    I have never seen or heard of an upper arm graft being reversed, they are usually "C" shaped or straight. Arterial is always the lower portion and venous the upper portion, if you reverse the lines...

  20. lets have a raise on raises..!!

    CocoaGirl replied to rxrn's topic in General Nursing

    The "largest dialysis company" in the US gives one raise per year up to a max of 4%, but no one ever gets the max of 4% because that leaves no room for "improvement". Average is 2-2.5% until you are...

  21. Fresenius, Gambro, Renal care group~which is best?

    CocoaGirl replied to MOnurse's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    I would suggest trying to find a privately owned dialysis unit, not a large for profit company like Fresenius or Davita. Fresenius is not patient or employee focused (even though they say they are),...

  22. Made a Med Error and sick over it!

    CocoaGirl replied to Martinette's topic in General Nursing

    This is just another example of how nurses are expected to get everything done and do it correctly. As long as we continue to have unsafe patient to nurse ratios, be responsible for an entire floors...

  23. Lots of reactions to the flu vax this year

    CocoaGirl replied to TazziRN's topic in General Nursing

    We gave flu vaccines at our clinic two weeks ago, several staff and patients (including myself) had complaints of moderate to severe aches, fever and feeling poorly. I have never had this happen...

  24. Dialysis Nursing??

    CocoaGirl replied to pieinsky's topic in General Nursing

    I have worked in dialysis for over 12 years, in the chronic unit and inpatient hospital acute unit. Dialysis is extremely hectic, you can expect to be on your feet from the time you clock in until you...

  25. Fresenius medical care...taking over dialysis unit HELP!

    CocoaGirl replied to hodgpodge's topic in Dialysis, Renal, Urology

    I currently work for FMC and I have to say that patient care is not a top priority, the almighty dollar is. Our 5 units were "bought Out" by FMC about a year ago, and it has been turmoil ever since....