Training on Dialysis

Rayden · Jun 11, 2012

"Keep interested in your own career, however humble. It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time." - Desiderata.

Like medicine, nursing has a lot of specialties and fields of practice to choose from. It's a matter of choosing one and being an expert in it.

Whether you got into dialysis nursing by chance or by choice, we will all one day look back on how we started and what we went through to be where we are now.

I got into renal nursing by chance. It just so happened I got accepted in a hemodialysis training program since no hospital was calling me after submitting all those CV's. I eventually got hired by the same company and showed my dedication to my job because I wanted to make a career out of it. 2 years after, I got an opportunity to work overseas, of which my training and experience in the Philippines became very valuable.

Looking back, every effort, time and money I spent for that dialysis training was all worth it.

Rayden · Jun 11, 2012

Sad to say, but yes. Just look at how many free-standing dialysis unit have opened up in the last 2 years in Metro Manila alone.There's actually an interplay between supply and demand not only concerning the increasing number of patients, but also the massively huge amount of entry level nurses seeking employment. Hospitals are so saturated now with a lot of applications, so nurses turn to other health care facilities, like dialysis centers, for clinical training and employment. Renal facilities take advantage of the oversupply of nurses by providing dialysis nursing training, which at the same time is a big help in their staffing needs. Not that all trainees are being hired immediately after the program, but to have several trainees per shift is such an ease in the daily working efficiency of th renal unit.Just imagine if you have a 16-bed dialysis center, with a ratio of 1 nurse to 4 patients. That will require 4 full time staff nurses per patient shift. But with trainees, lets say 4 per shift, these 4 extra manpower are actually a big help in patient transition, especially if these are already "senior" trainees whom you can allow to work without much supervision.So it's just like that, business people see opportunity and offer a win-win deal. Novice nurses learn dialysis nursing, and renal centers earn from them, with the added benefit of having enough nurses on their units.[/quote
Do you ever see a time when nurses say "No More" offering free services?
Well, I would love to see my countrymen to be in that situation, where free services only exist by the true definition of being a "volunteer."

JLLandero · Jun 11, 2012

@ ceridwyn
Of course we do. But the situation nursing in the Philippines is different from that of first world countries.
This is the sad reality that Philippine nurses have to go through right after earning the license to practice the profession. So much professional registered nurses, yet not enough healthcare facilities to accomodate them for employment and career growth.
And to have a goal of being able to work in hospitals overseas for a better life, employers look at experience. They would definitely hire those with the appropriate clinical experience since they are confident that the professional they are hiring really knows how to get the job done.
And how get that valuable experience? it all goes back on being able land a job and start one's career as soon as after nurse registration. If being permanently employed as a full time staff is not possible, then in the meantime (though it may not be ideal) it is a wise move to have those trainings, such as in dialysis, so as not to be idle and better yet gain clinical experience as time passes by. And those trainings in return are venues for possible employment as full time staff in the near future.

Ah, ironic actually that the Philippines currently have an oversupply of nurses while other countries, especially the Middle East are somewhat understaffed. [And now, HRM and IT are following BSN's footsteps....]

Anyway, back on topic, after all the trainings that you have to undergo.... the employer (especially for abroad applications) will still look for a Certificate of Employment minimum of 2 years and not a Training Certificate, a Volunteer Certificate nor a Certificate of Competency (as what RNHeals has been giving out to their RN's). They are getting stricter and stricter in hiring overseas nurses. Frustrating, really but we have to endure.

And another thing, for example, in the dialysis training, it will all be for naught if the trainee doesn't have or cannot get a clinical experience, paid or non-paid worth of 6 months since RENAP requires that now, hence the trainee cannot even practice on what he/she trained in, because of that additional requirement for the CRN license. And the dialysis centers nowadays will not hire a nurse that is not CRN. Thus it will result again to another frustration on part of the trainee nurse. Well, even CCNAPI now requires at least 3 months experience (or 20 CEU worth of their seminars for the whole year) to be a member. Everything now requires an experience on the field.

But then again, those trainings, seminars and other continuing education that we are willing to undergo just to escape stagnation are essential part of us being nurses [and we will have something to add in our resume too to impress our employer, ne? :) ].

Rayden · Jun 12, 2012

RENAP wasn't that strict years ago, but now that more and more nurses turn into dialysis centers for training and possible employment, they suddenly changed the rules.

On a more positive note, the RENAP Accreditation (CRN) is a very important piece of document that actually tells future employers overseas that by Philippine standards, you are certified and competent in the field of renal nursing. Aside from your actual working experience as a renal nurse, they may also use this certification in favor of you.

Now, on the topic of as to where to get your training, I think Nephrogroup is a good place since it offers a comprehensive curriculum that actually also prepares the trainee for the RENAP exam. Not that the exam is that difficult, but in terms of meeting the requirements, Nephrogroup provides for that.

Other dialysis centers / hospitals would offer a similar type of training, but the shortest one I heard of is only 5 weeks. They will only teach you the very basics on those 5 weeks. However, in Nephrogroup, you don't only learn, you actually apply it until you gain competence and be confident with your knowledge and skills. That's why it's conducted for 4 months, and you have the option to extend another 2 months to meet the 6 month dialysis experience requirement of RENAP.

It's really costly as far as the fees are concerned, but I think it's worth it. There are a lot of slots available, unlike from NKTI that is fully booked until 2013. Once you get in and start training, who knows what opportunities would open up for you in the near future.

JLLandero · Jun 12, 2012

^

Yeah, you are right. This is probably the opportunity God has bestowed upon me. I am planning to enroll myself since my husband has already given me his consent. I've actually wanted to become a dialysis nurse during my nursing school days when we were exposed to the dialysis facility of our hospital. It's just that after passing my nursing board, I immediately hunt for a job (and became an ICU nurse abroad which is a very exhausting and very tiring work).

Also, NephroGroup is the only dialysis center that I know of that is not fully booked, and can give the 6-months training period as required for the CRN license. (I've asked other centers and they only give 2 months training at most. Aesculap/B.Braun actually only gives training for 5 weeks! And as you said it, NKTI is fully booked until 2013). Anyways, I just remembered the proctor who oriented us last Saturday said that during the last RENAP exam, out of 50 examinees, only 15 passed the exam. Seems the exam is getting harder and tougher. And yeah, NephroGroup has this number of cases you have to complete before they can give you the certification so you will really feel competent afterwards.

Money may probably an issue but I believe I can get back what was lost after I finish. I'm actually excited to start. I just have to balance between masters and training. @__@

Rayden · Jun 12, 2012

@Jllandero

Yeah I saw from RENAP's website that indeed the number of passers wasn't that much. During my time, we were around 90 passers (2009).

(I was even thinking maybe they haven't fully updated the list yet, but as what you've said, indeed only 15 passed. Less number of takers, and most probably a tougher exam.)

JLLandero · Jun 13, 2012

I searched and browsed RENAP's website and FB account.... and one of the requirements.... is a Certification of HD training NOT LESS THAN 30 DAYS. Meaning, you do not need to have the 6 months training for the exam right??

Rayden · Jun 13, 2012

got this from their fb page:

[color=#333333]requirements & process of online application for certification exam

[color=#333333]requirements

[color=#333333]1. valid prc id, renap membership, pna id, ivt card (scanned front and back)

[color=#333333]2. certificate of hemodialysis training

[color=#333333]3. certificate of employment / proof of clinical experience at least 6 mos in any field of nursing

[color=#333333]if you have all of this requirements then you are qualified to take the renap certification exam. lets now proceed to online application process

[color=#333333]step 1

[color=#333333]- scan all you requirements

[color=#333333]step 2

[color=#333333]- register for the online application for the certification exam thru this link --> http://renaponline.org/online-application/individual-certification/

[color=#333333]step 3

[color=#333333]- renap officer will email the applicant if he/she is qualified to take the test and will give you instruction for payment

[color=#333333]note:

[color=#333333]- incomplete requirements will not be processed

[color=#333333]- all examinees should apply online for initial screening

nothing is mentioned about the length of training though.

JLLandero · Jun 14, 2012

I got this one from their website: (RENAP Certification Exam requirements)

RENAP Certification Exam requirements

BELOW are the requirements for taking RENAP certification exam:

1. RENAP Membership ID

2. PRC License

3. PNA ID

4. IVT Card(ANSAP)

5. Certificate of Employment (for employed staff dialysis nurse)

6. Certficate of HD Training (not less than 30 days)

7. 6 mos of clinical experience prior to HD training

Incomplete requirements will not be admitted for examination

JLLandero · Jun 14, 2012

Fresenius Medical Care - 6 weeks dialysis training - P13,000 - will start on August 27, 2012

B.Braun Avitum/Aesculap - 5 weeks dialysis training - P10,000 - will start on November (fully booked until August; waiting list Sept - Oct)

Rayden · Jun 14, 2012

I got this one from their website: (RENAP Certification Exam requirements)
RENAP Certification Exam requirements
BELOW are the requirements for taking RENAP certification exam:
1. RENAP Membership ID
2. PRC License
3. PNA ID
4. IVT Card(ANSAP)
5. Certificate of Employment (for employed staff dialysis nurse)
6. Certficate of HD Training (not less than 30 days)
7. 6 mos of clinical experience prior to HD training
Incomplete requirements will not be admitted for examination

I guess the info found on their FB page is not updated. The one their website is a more recent one.

JLLandero · Jun 16, 2012

^

Ah.. and I confirmed it at RENAP via phone regarding the length of dialysis training. One month dialysis training at the least.