Meet Lu

Lu Buchanan is a Registered Nurse working in Inpatient Services – Dialysis and Apheresis and has been with Fresenius Medical Care North America for 27 years working in various departments such as clinical management, inpatient, outpatient, and direct patient care. Lu started as a Patient Care Technician, eventually moving into an RN role with the support of Fresenius Medical Care North America through the tuition reimbursement program. Lu's primary responsibility is maintaining an apheresis program within a hospital that provides outpatient and inpatient apheresis services. Lu enjoys the satisfaction she receives from providing care to the people she treats. 

LET’S HEAR WHAT SHANNON HAD TO SAY:

Q: Why did you join the FMCNA team?

A:I felt unfulfilled, so I left my job as a Licensed Practical Nurse of 10 years at the local hospital, where I worked every floor except ICU and ER, to work in an outpatient dialysis clinic. A 30% pay cut was required because there was not a job opening for an LPN, so I worked as a Patient Care Technician. That part of my decision was difficult, but sometimes a person has to take a step back to take a step forward. 

Q: How do you feel that your role is a “vital part” in supporting our patients and our company?

A: This part is difficult for me. Aren’t we all vital? I don’t want to sound like I am anymore or less vital than anyone else. My particular role is a little different from that of my local coworkers. My primary responsibility is maintaining an apheresis program within a hospital that provides outpatient and inpatient apheresis services. I schedule outpatient therapeutic plasma exchange treatments for regular outpatients, some of whom I’ve treated since 2012. I know them well and notice changes from their baselines. I try to act as an advocate for them.

Q: Describe an experience or feeling that stands out when thinking of your career with FMCNA, it could be in relation to one of our four pillars (below) or simply a story that describes why you do what you and why you choose FMCNA to do it with.

A: This part could take a while. My career at Fresenius Medical Care North America has taken many turns. My time began as a Patient Care Technician, later I began functioning as an Licensed Practical Nurse, then to Fresenius paying my way through school to become a Registered Nurse, and after that partially paying for my advancement to Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I’ve worked outpatient and inpatient, as well as clinical management and direct patient care. I've trained more people than I can count or remember before, during, and after my years as an education coordinator. I have been with this company for 27 years and I still like what I do. It’s evident that I get restless but that’s ok. There are always new opportunities to find or variations on the current position held.
Fresenius Paid Time Off allotment is unparalleled. I know of no other major global corporation that gives as much Paid Time Off. I can’t complain about the monetary compensation or any of the benefits. It’s not just about the money or Paid Time Off. It’s about professional growth. I firmly believe I would not have returned to school and became an Registered Nurse if not for this company. That has had such an impact on my life and the lives of my family. This is my definition of professional growth with personal meaning. Because I am RN, I can provide the care I do for the patients I serve.
So to sum it up. I stay with Fresenius Medical Care North America because I enjoy what I do. I enjoy my job because of the satisfaction I receive from providing care to the people I treat.

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.

Why Join our team?

• Rated as one of Forbes’ U.S. Best Employers
• Paid one-on-one training
• Tuition reimbursement
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Paid time off
• 401(K) and much more