TravelLusting

Thanks for your responses. Don't have the job yet. They seemed quite daunted by the process when they thought they had to sponsor me, but I said I thought it was only a letter but I would check. They seemed much happier with that, but they did not give me the impression they knew what would be involved in writing the letter. Thanks.

Thanks to you both The_Gift and nursemaple2 for your answers.That's a huge relief. With regard to the TN visa letter, is there a specific format they have to follow?

Great. I'll look into it. Thanks again.

Thanks for the response Silverdragon102. Are you aware if the employer has any further paperwork on their end? They asked me if I needed to be sponsored. I said yes on the online application. Is writing a letter of employment all it takes to be considered "sponsoring"? Thank you for your time.

Hi All, I am an RN from Newfoundland. I completed my nursing education in Canada. I have a Newfoundland, Minnesota and Arizona RN licensure (pending TN visa). NCLEX was completed in 2013 and I have CGFNS TN Visa Screen Certificate. Anyone who has been through this process before, please guide me. I just had two interviews with a company in the US. Although I stated on the online application that I would need to be sponsored, both recruiters seemed surprised to hear same. As far as I know, I need a letter of employment to give to border guard along with my CGFNS visa screen certificate. With that I should be able to get a TN Visa. I am not sure if I am oversimplifiying the process. If I am please advise. I have been wanting to work in the US for years, but seem to hit road blocks at every turn. I thought I was ready to go, but I seem to be meeting a lot of resistance from both travel companies and hospitals regarding the entire sponsorship process. If anyone can fill me in on this process or recommend a hospital or travel company I would be forever grateful. Thank you for your time.

I've never worked a 24 hour shift. That sounds horrendous. I hope I find a good team. Wish me luck. NurseRies, I was reading some of the older dialysis posts I noticed you received your CNN. Congrats.

Hi Guttercat, Thanks for your input. I am looking forward to the change to acutes, but a bit apprehensive about the long hours. I've worked my share of 16 hour shifts, but not on a regular basis. I hope when I make the move, I find a program like yours. Do you mind sharing which state you are located in? Thanks

Thanks Pugsley. That is the ratio I am used to when I work acutes.

I heard DaVita reuses dialyzers. Is this still the case or is this outdated info (I hope)?

Hi MarkTX, I realize you have not started in acutes yet, but I assume you've spoken with nurses in acutes. Have you asked them how difficult it is to get vacation time? Are you often paid in leiu of time off because of no nurses to cover off for vacation? Thanks

Thanks Jolie. Can I ask you as well: do you usually get a contract when you take a full time permanent position? Would they write this time off into the contract if they were agreeable? I've been nursing for six years but have always had a casual position, so I've always chosen when I work . . . this will be an adjustment.

Hi All, Interviewing with DaVita next week for a permanent position. Had never planned on applying for same, only travel positions. So we have a trip booked for early January -- non-refundable. How do I bring this up in an interview? From what I've read the DaVita interview process can be quite lengthy (3-4 interviews). Should I bring this up in the initial interview or wait to see if I advance to later interviews? Your suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks for your time.

Hi Mark, How many interviews did you have and how long was the interview process? What type of machinery do they use?

Thanks MarkTX, I am glad you've had such an excellent experience with DaVita. It is certainly good to know that it is not all bad. How much training were you given when you transferred from chronic to acute?

I would have tested the waters were I going on a travel assignment, but since I am now applying for permanent jobs, I figured I'd start with the one I feel more confident in. I've gathered through reading that the success/failure of most programs has more to do with the management than the company. I hope Fresenius is as quick getting back to me as Davita was.

Thanks NurseRies. I was going to interview with D, but the more I read about them online the less excited I was. Thanks for answering my questions.

I remember speaking with you several years ago when I was first looking into dialysis travel nursing. That has not gone so well . . . for varied reasons we had to keep pushing off the travel date. Until now, we are finally ready to go and the only companies willing to work with a starting Canadian travel RN without a US SSN are ones that are not so trustworthy. So, I am searching for permanent jobs. Not really where I wanted to start, but it seems to be the best option. Would you recommend starting out with one of the big two or trying to find a private practice job? Thanks for your time and responses.

Thanks NurseRies. Do you mind me asking, do you currently work for one of the "big two" or a hospital?

Thanks Chisca. Any input NurseRies?

Hi All, I am a Canadian RN. I have been working in dialysis for four years -- chronic and acute. I've been hoping to move to the US to work. I was just checking out jobs at Davita for acute dialysis. The description stated that the ratio nurse:patient is typically not more that 1:5. Is this not excessively high for acute dialysis? I know I am spoiled as all patients who are deemed too acute to dialyze in our unit (an inpatient unit) are treated 1:1 in ICU. I realize that not all acute dialyis treatments are completed in the ICU in the US, but if you have 5 acute dialysis patients having treatment at the same time, where would you be set up? Do you have any aides or are you responsible for everything during the treatment. When I dialyze a patient in the ICU, I am responsible only for the dialysis. The assigned ICU nurse is responsible for everything else to do with patient care. While I do more than I have to do when I am there, there are certain treatments for critically ill patients I cannot do as I am not trained. When you are completing treatments on such patients are you responsible for ventilators, central lines, etc., as well or is there another nurse to care for such things. If you have experience in acute dialysis: good, bad, ugly. Please share. I'd like to go in with my eyes open. Thanks for your time.

So writing the hiring manager would be a good idea? I wasn't sure if that was over stepping. Thanks.

Hi. Thank you for your comments. I didn't think it was good policy but I did not want to be too suspicious either. As for avoiding American Mobile companies, that was completely my plan. Unfortunately, I do not have a SSN yet and they were about the only company that would even consider assisting me without same. This has changed since January when there were several companies I could have chosen between without having a SSN. Apparently hospitals are becoming stricter. I will ask again for the contract prior to accepting, but will heed all your warnings. No contract. No acceptance. They would not even provide to me in writing what would be in contract . . .they wanted to discuss it over phone. BigT, I will use your approach and hope it works. Thanks again.

Hi All, Just received a job offer for a travel position. I asked to review the contract before accepting the position. The recruiter told me that no contract would be drawn up unless I accepted the position. I am new to travel nursing, but I thought that was a little suspicious. I am currently working with NursesRx. I am not sure if this is normal procedure for them. Anyone who has worked with them before would you please advise. Anyone with travel experience I would love to hear from you. Can I demand a contract prior to accepting? Should I refuse to accept without seeing this? Thank you for your time. I look forward to your responses.

Thanks so much. I'll get in touch.

So, apparently I do not have private messages enabled since I do not have enough posts. If anyone knows of a good travel nurse company for dialysis jobs that would be good too. It does seem to me after speaking with many recruiters (although I have yet to take an assignment), that the recruiter is more important than the company.