Hi, I live in the Columbus OH area. I have searched the site and have found only a partial answer to my question. I am a med-surg nurse searching for a change and would like to try dialysis. I have applied at several dialysis centers in my area but no response. My question is does anyone know how likely you are to be hired if you've completed a training program t but no actual work experience. I have found a six week program that also gives clinical experience for nurses. Before I pay for this training Does anyone know the likelihood of obtaining employment. I know some of the major Dialysis centers will offer training but If you come with training but not work experience does it make you more employable in their eyes? I'd especially appreciate responses from Columbus area nurses because our market is different than some others out there. Columbus can be pretty tough IMO. Not the easiest place to find a job in Nursing considering we are the 15th largest city in the U.S.

I've never seen a non-corporate based training for dialysis nurses. Interesting, is it at a college? I know we always looked for nurses to train with ICU experience. Dialysis nurses are very autonomous for the most part. Many on the spot decisions must be made by the nurse, as well as oversight of all the patient care techs. We also invited potential candidates to visit for a few hours during our busiest time of day. Good luck.

Personally, most companies will train you and pay you while in training. Check with Davita, Fresenius, KRU, American Renal Care, etc. Find an outpatient dialysis clinic near you and go visit. Ask if you can observe for a few hours to help make a determination. I will say chronic dialysis is exhausting!!! I did open hearts/trauma for over 20 years and run harder and feel more mentally exhausted in dialysis then I ever did working any other place in my career. In fact more than ready to get out of it at this point as too much short staffing, budget cuts, and use of non-licensed persons to do work that only someone either licensed or certified should be doing. This is the only place I ever worked where someone without any other training can stick needles into patients, elect to treat with saline, etc. Too much liability for me and after 2 years of it I'm done.

Lived and worked in C-bus for years. All dialysis is OJT. Bet you didn't have a dialysis rotation in nursing school! Try FMC(Karl Rd.) or E. Broad or ARA on E. Broad. In 19yrs. experience, you either love dialysis or hate it. Be prepared to work, it isn't med-surg. Pay vrey little attention to <$$$>, most ,if not all of the non-licensed persons, have more experience and training in dialysis than she does! Remember NO ONE had any experience when they started. Good Luck!

Brutus, we did our own acutes and pd in the units. I was referring to the chronic area. By the way the non-licensed dont have a license to loose for thier mistakes. I can loose mine for thier mistakes! I started working dialysis when it was external shunts and PD required we use our watches to count drips and dwell times(talking 70's here). I have not met one non-licensed in any of my clinics been at it that long either lol nor do they have thier CNN of which I had to work hard to get. Instead of rudeness, try giving so constructive advice. Again to the original poster, find someone in the field and a clinic that will allow you to shadow for a day or two. Do your research. It's either a love it or hate it field particularly in chronics which is high paced and can be very demanding.

I must comment on this subject.Technicians are an integral part of the Dialysis community.We were here first and we are not going anywhere.I love Dialysis and working with the RNs and LPNs that appreciate us for what we do.United States Navy Trained 1975....NEC 8433 PS we are all in this to help patients if you want more money diversify or LEAVE...

<old school>, WELL SAID. <$$$> doesn't understand we all worked just as hard for our C.H.T. as she did for her CNN. Anyone who got into this field because it is easy or for the money is just NUTS.

Sorry for the thread jack... Old school, Transplant Tech ha? San Diego, Bethesda, Norfolk? I was at Bethesda in the 80's. Best training I could have ever received.

Bethesda in the 70S Balboa in the 80s First certified in 1982 BEST TRAINING IN THE FREE WORLD UNITED STATES NAVY CORPSMAN UP''

Same here old school - but US Army 1975.Best free training plus in the end they paid for my Masters lol. I remember using the external shunts before fistulas or grafts were heard of. Cyclers for PD?? Remember counting the drips, timing the dwell time and measuring every drop drained? Wow has dialysis come a long long way!! Machines were huge lol

An online Hemodialysis Review Course with post test questions is available at www.nephrologyclinicalsolutions.com Select Hemodialysis Review from the menu. Content outline, learning objectives, course content, and follow-up post quiz are available with 10.3 contact hours (CE).

Content is self-paced, meaning you can stop at any point and the program will remember where you left off. Content:
1. Kidney Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology
2. Principles of Dialysis, Hemodialysis System, and Basic Medical Technology
3. Patient Evaluation and Monitoring during Treatment
4. Hemodialysis Vascular Access
5. Hemodialysis Delivery System Review
6. Water Treatment - Dialyzer Reuse
7. Patient Education
8. Documentation, patient & staff safety

Final Quiz