Meet Kayla

Kayla Macdonald always knew she wanted to devote her life to caring for others, as she would always take care of her family when they became ill.  She came to Fresenius through the Nurse Residency Program, which allowed for her to work as a Patient Care Tech as she obtained her license.  Kayla was nervous to start working during the pandemic but feels at ease due to the precautions that Fresenius has taken. 

LET’S HEAR WHAT KAYLA HAD TO SAY:

Q: What inspired you to become a nurse?

A: I have always had a knack for caring for others. Every time someone in my family got sick, I was always the one to help. After my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, I knew I wanted to be in a profession that would allow me to be there for patients and families in their time of need.  

Q: Could you share your thoughts on the Nurse Residency Program for pre-licensed nurses? 

A: The Nurse Residency Program was incredible.  I would recommend it to all recent graduates of nursing school. Fresenius Kidney Care came to my campus and as they spoke about the company mission, it became clear it was exactly where I wanted to work. I was hired shortly after my interview, which was a huge stress relief for me, as I was finishing school. Knowing I already had a job I loved lined up allowed me to focus on my studies without the added stress of looking for work.

After graduation, I was able to start working as a technician while I waited to take my licensing exam. Having the flexibility to work before my exam was a blessing, especially during the pandemic when so many exams were being rescheduled to later dates. My team was extremely supportive and once I passed my licensing exam, I had already learned so much about the company and dialysis, which made my transition to Registered Nurse more manageable. 

Q: What has your experience been like as a recently graduated nurse working during the COVID-19 pandemic? 

A: I was extremely nervous to start work during the pandemic. Everyone worries about bringing the virus home to their family, but as a nurse, you worry a little bit more. However, once I started and realized all the measures the company was taking to protect its employees, I felt a sense of relief. We have never run out of supplies at our clinic and I am confident that the infection protocol we follow will keep us safe.  

Q: If you could share one thing with your fellow nurses, in honor of Year of the Nurse, what would that be?

A: Particularly, while we are going through this challenging time, my advice is to stick together and work as a team. Without the support of my team, I do not know how I would do it every day. We are so much stronger together. 

About Fresenius Medical Care

We have become a global leader in healthcare because of the unwavering dedication our people bring to work every day. Whether that means developing new-to-market dialysis technology or educating patients, our team touches the lives of more than 190,000 patients through innovative care and profound, personal connections.

With Fresenius Medical Care North America, you will “be the difference,” enabling patients to thrive, providing comfort to families, supporting coworkers so they can realize their goals, compelling our company to achieve through innovation and performance, and driving the development of your career.

Our team is made up of over 70,000 dedicated employees in North America. All of them focus on being the difference and delivering the highest-quality care to people with kidney disease – helping them to lead longer, better, and healthier lives.