Dialysis Nurses

     Nephrology nurses work with patients who have kidney disease. These nurses have to be comfortable working with all ages like children, adults, and the elderly can all become victims of kidney disease. Kidney disease may be difficult to understand as sometimes it is a hereditary disease but also may be caused by other conditions/infections. According to the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA), “The nurse's role is to help patients manage their lives—succeed at school or work, socialize, maintain relationships, or enjoy hobbies—while effectively dealing with their health issues". Nephrology nurse's duties can differ varying from setting to setting with varying job titles such as dialysis nurse, nurse manager, vascular access coordinator, and organ recovery coordinator. 

    Dialysis nurses will oversee every aspect of the dialysis process. Their roles include verifying the dialysate/equipment is working, discussing patient concerns, providing patient education, and preparing/placing vascular access and/or catheter. 

    Kidney transplant nurses, also called transplant coordinators, play a large role in making sure their patients receive proper care during a life-changing procedure. Their duties as transplant nurses are to educate families and patients, prepare patients for surgery, preparing the operation room, and providing post-surgery care-including wound dressing and monitoring signs and symptoms. 

    Nephrology nurses work and are needed anywhere patients experience kidney problems. They can work in clinics, outpatient facilities, hospitals, and even patient's homes. Home dialysis nurses will train their patients to perform complex tasks to ensure they are performing dialysis correctly. Home dialysis nurses are also a resource for patients to ask questions. On the other hand, nurses that work in hospital settings are usually helping with acute kidney disease. Acute kidney problems usually arise after trauma, injury, or infection. 

    In order to become a nephrology nurse, one must earn either an RN or LPN. The NCLEX licensure exam must be passed along with any other state requirements. Registered nurses may also want to consider pursuing an optional professional certification related to nephrology. 

Sources: 

Brooks, A. (2021, January 11). What Does a Dialysis Nurse Do? Exploring
     Nephrology Nursing. Rasmussen University. https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/
     nursing/blog/what-does-a-dialysis-nurse-do/

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