Really need to talk to a traveling dialysis RN please

NedRN · Nov 27, 2012

Not everyone can message. And you might be limiting your responses by not posting the actual questions right? Would you write someone you didn't know to answer a question you don't know or even if you are able to answer?

nursetaminator · Nov 27, 2012

Didn't realize not everyone can message. Yes, I would PM someone but of course not if I didn't have the expertise in the area the person had a question about. Sometimes people have questions they would rather not ask or respond to in an open forum. BTW none of the questions I have pertain to money or agencies, only working conditions and expectations. There are some things I'd like to know that I'd rather not ask openly for various reasons.

But here are a few things I'm curious about if anyone can help out:

1. For a traveling dialysis RN, what are your responsibilities, as in are you mostly the charge RN or a float RN? (A float RN at my current job entails giving the few meds to be administered, pre/post assessments, help take people off/on machines prn, etc, but aren't assigned a station).

2. Are you ever assigned a full station to run?

3. What are the hours you as the RN work?

Again, thanks in advance!

Strawberrykool · Nov 28, 2012

I'm not a RN I'm a lpn. It depends where you go. The only time your floating with out an assignment is if your extra. You wouldn't be there as extra so you will get an assignment. Won't be charge unless it's dire. You can pm me if you like if I can help answer your questions

Trauma Columnist · Nov 28, 2012

I'm an APN in multiple outpt HDUs. Our travelers do everythingthe usuaal RN does. Hours the same, everything. Also, FMC has their own travel nurses that are FMC employees.

Strawberrykool · Nov 29, 2012

@traumarus I would love to be a traveler for fresinius. Do they use traveling lpns?

nursetaminator · Nov 29, 2012

I'm not a RN I'm a lpn. It depends where you go. The only time your floating with out an assignment is if your extra. You wouldn't be there as extra so you will get an assignment. Won't be charge unless it's dire. You can pm me if you like if I can help answer your questions

Thanks!! I'll PM you this weekend. Long days at work this week. One more to go and then two days off. YES!!

So basically the RN's come in and work as a tech?

nursetaminator · Nov 29, 2012

I'm an APN in multiple outpt HDUs. Our travelers do everythingthe usuaal RN does. Hours the same, everything. Also, FMC has their own travel nurses that are FMC employees.

I saw where Fresenius has a traveler program and actually worked with a lady for 1 week who traveled with them (she hired on full time with us but then left so I didn't get to pick her brain). She did that for a very short time then went with an agency bc the benefits were better and she made more money that way.

Some of the hours we do are killing me (4am - ugh!) so curious what other hours clinics run and if other RN's are required to come in at the same times. I see a lot of job postings with the travel agencies for like 6am or 7am. Wondering how much that's the norm, or not.

Hope these questions don't seem trivial but work hours have a huge impact on one's personal life. Years ago I worked at a prison where I had to be there at 0430 five days a week, 8 hours a day. It just disrupts your entire life and I could not make it work for me.

Strawberrykool · Nov 30, 2012

I would love to try the prison and I get up at 3am to be to work at 5 which Is a hour drive. What I've seen is the tech's or lpns come in at 4 or 5 @ some places and the RN comes in at 6. Where I'm at now we all come in at 5, RN included. We can't start dialysis unless there is a RN in the building or on the floor. 10 hour shift or 12 hour shifts. As a traveler your hours may be flexed. I work 2 5-1530, and 2 10-2030.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 30, 2012

I live/work in IL so LPNs are not in dialysis units except as techs and FMC no longer hires LPNs at least in IL. The FMC travel nurses do the same thing the staff nurses do and yep that means getting to the units at 5 or so.

nursetaminator · Dec 4, 2012

I'm not a RN I'm a lpn. It depends where you go. The only time your floating with out an assignment is if your extra. You wouldn't be there as extra so you will get an assignment. Won't be charge unless it's dire. You can pm me if you like if I can help answer your questions

I tried to PM you but it said the private messages quota has been exceeded and can't accept further messages until space is cleared.

NurseRies, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2013

Is there anyone that would be willing to PM me so I can ask a few questions about traveling as a dialysis RN? I'd really really, really appreciate it. Have some job specific questions. Many thanks in advance.[/quote']
I don't have capabilities to PM, but I am a traveling dialysis RN. I have been in dialysis 3 years. I worked full time chronics for 2 years while doing PRN acutes, then switched to full time acutes and remaining PRN at my clinic. I am just completing my first assignment as a travel dialysis RN. I did about a year of Research, planning, and asking questions before my first assignment. I have found that there are 2 main travel companies that staff specifically for dialysis. Quik Travel and Foundation. Both seem legit and have plenty of jobs available. There seem to be a lot more acute jobs, home hemo training, then chronics. You still shouldn't have any problems getting a job, just may have to be less picky about your location. I would assume that your chronic job will be just about the same as the one you're doing now. They do expect charge capabilities, and sometimes they specify "strong charge capabilities". I would be happy to answer any questions you may have! I love dialysis and so far I love traveling! :)