NxStage - how long was your training?

[cattlekid]

So I'm getting ready to switch centers so I can start my training for NxStage.  I met with the staff at the new center on Friday and they said that training would last about 3 weeks and they highly suggest that I take half-days off work for those three weeks so I can concentrate on the training.

This morning, I talked with my supervisor and our HR rep.  I have three options:  1.  use my remaining vacation days and split them up so I can cover all three weeks, 2.  Use FMLA and not get paid  or 3. short-term disability. 

Not getting paid is really not an option.  They are leaning away from short-term disability as it would have to be seven consecutive days of being "disabled".  I did tell my HR rep that each of these training days is an active treatment day, if that would make a difference.  I have no problem using up my remaining vacation this way - if I would have taken the vacation, all I would have done is sit at home and knit. 

I know my HR rep and supervisor will be working together to come up with a decent option.  Even the HR rep wasn't sold on FMLA because of not getting paid, esp. because I have vacation days to burn. 

Just curious for others on NxStage who work full time - how long was your training and how did you cover it at work?

[Meinuk]

My training was just over three weeks (16 days).  I worked from training and then went into the office, so I didn't miss any time.  But I did take two days as "Sick" days (we had a policy that we could use our sick days for Dr.'s Appointments) The first when I received my first delivery, and the other when I had my first dialysis session at home.

If I were faced with your situation, I think that I would take 1/2 days as vacation.

[cattlekid]

The clinic to which I am switching has wi-fi so I could in theory work from training.  However, the staff there was quite discouraging about it.  I may see how things go after the first couple of days. 

My training was just over three weeks (16 days).  I worked from training and then went into the office, so I didn't miss any time.  But I did take two days as "Sick" days (we had a policy that we could use our sick days for Dr.'s Appointments) The first when I received my first delivery, and the other when I had my first dialysis session at home.

If I were faced with your situation, I think that I would take 1/2 days as vacation.

[tyefly]

my training was three weeks and then home... nurse came to my house for the 1st run day... and then I was on  my own....

they had told me that training my be any where from 4 to 8 weeks..

[ESRD Survivor]

I am starting training next year.  I do not work, however my husband is training with me and works 4 10 hr days Tuesday thru Friday.  I'm wondering for him how much time he should take off to train, I know for sure he will take the first week off.  He has a lot of days off, at least 280 hours in a year, but why be there if he doesn't need to be.

[cattlekid]

My husband will be attending only three of my training sessions.  This what works out with his schedule (he has a severe lack of vacation time).  The clinic staff said that would be fine as he is not going to be sticking me and he only really needs to know what do do if the proverbial poop hits the fan while I'm hooked up.

[jbeany]

I don't think there's any real hard and fast rule on how long it's going to take to learn.  I was home sooner than 3 weeks.  See if you can get a copy of the training manual early, so you can start reading.  The sooner you are comfortable, the faster you can head home with it.

[Bill Peckham]

Do you already put in your own needles? And take them out?


Each time I've trained I'm really only going from one machine to another so it's pretty quick. Being a self cannulator does speed things up.

[cattlekid]

That's the rub, I think.  I am still on a catheter.  My new cllinic will be sticking me for the first time and will be establishing my buttonholes.  For those reasons alone, I think I'll have to do the three full weeks of training, right?

Do you already put in your own needles? And take them out?


Each time I've trained I'm really only going from one machine to another so it's pretty quick. Being a self cannulator does speed things up.

[Meinuk]

I was already a self cannulator. It did not speed up the process for me.

Here is how my three weeks broke down... (I am writing this from memory, but I think that it is accuarte, give or take a day or so overlap)

First week:  All I did was watch and do paperwork.  (there were tests)

Second week:  I set up, did my runs, learned Pureflow and Bags.  I also practiced emergency rinseback, and some alarms

Third week:  I dialyized all alone in-center.

Day 16, I went home and dialyized for my nurses in the comfort of my livingroom.  I was stunned that they left me to clean up.  (when I was in center, they always cleaned up for me afterwards...)