How to become A Dialysis Nurse

• Nephrology Nurse
• Renal Nurse

What do Dialysis Nurses do?

A Dialysis Nurse would typically need to:

• Take care of patients receiving dialysis treatment for chronic or acute kidney failure
• Collaborate with the attending physician and other members of the medical team to prepare an individualised nursing care plan for every patient in their charge
• Inform the patient about their condition, treatment schedule, dietary restrictions, and all other essential information that would affect nursing outcomes
• Schedule patient dialysis treatments; collect specimens for lab work; evaluate vascular access to determine whether the patient will be treated through the fistula, an artificial graft, or a central venous line
• Prepare the clinic for administration of dialysis treatment; make sure each bedside has the appropriate pre-treatment and post-treatment paraphernalia; set up individual dialysis machines for each patient
• Check and record a patient’s baseline vital signs before the dialysis treatment; measure the patient’s weight to determine the amount of fluid to be removed; assess the patient for possible complications during the treatment
• Work with the dialysis technicians to make sure the dialysis machines and equipment are set up correctly; confirm the dialysis area is clean before beginning the procedure; prime the dialyser and bloodlines 
• Ensure the proper administration of haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatments as per prescribed health and legal regulations
• Administer medication and provide adequate support and encouragement to the patient, if they seem nervous or scared 
• Monitor the patient’s blood pressure, heart rate and other vitals during the dialysis treatment to ensure maintenance of adequate haemodynamics; manage their fluid and electrolyte balance
• Take note of the patient’s response to the dialysis and medications; evaluate the effectiveness of the dialysis equipment; administer transfusions, if necessary
• Notify the appropriate medical practitioner of patient-specific information and any concerns that crop up during the dialysis treatment
• Follow up on and check vital signs of the patient after dialysis to compare progress on regular treatment plan against established goals
• Work with the nephrologist, dialysis technicians, and other health care providers to modify treatment regimens to meet patient needs
• Keep track of all activities related to equipment maintenance, cleanliness, and sterilisation
• Assist in administrative functions, such as maintaining accurate records on patient profiles, treatment administered, equipment used, and supplies needed
• Discuss dialysis treatment options, kidney disease management, suitable nutrition, and proper exercise regimen with the patient and their family members 
• Refer the patient to dieticians, social workers, or vascular access centres, as required; assist the patient in communicating with transplant centres
• Educate the patient and their family members who choose home dialysis therapy on proper dialysis, including medication, nutrition, lifestyle changes, and compliance with the prescribed treatment plan

Dialysis Nurses work in various inpatient and outpatient clinical settings and as direct caregivers in patients’ homes. Regular interaction with patients, their families/caregivers, and relevant medical team members is standard. You may need to travel to the homes of patients who opt for home dialysis treatment.

10- to 12-hour shifts that include nights, weekends, and holidays are the norm. Dialysis Nurses may need to be occasionally on call to attend emergencies.

Research suggests that flexible hours appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands.

Finding a new job may be challenging. Dialysis Nurses can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

They may opt to be employed by healthcare facilities or work with them on an independent contractor basis. Temporary locum tenens positions offered by practices, hospitals, or healthcare organisations with an unfilled clinical need are optional sources of employment.

Dialysis Nurses are generally employed by:

• Hospitals
• Freestanding Dialysis Clinics
• Physician Offices
• Transplant Programmes
• Nursing Homes
• Hospice Centres
• Haemodialysis Centres
• Private Patients
• Teaching Hospitals
• Academic Institutions
• Research Centres

Healthcare associations, such as The International Society of Nephrology (ISN), provide unparalleled networking and educational opportunities. They offer all the certification courses members will need throughout their professional careers.

Affiliated Dialysis Nurses may attend conventions, seminars, and dinners frequented by peers, mentors, and other industry leaders. The events help them keep up with the latest breakthroughs and developments, including plum jobs. 

• High likelihood of muscle strain and injuries from having to move and lift patients undergoing dialysis treatment
• Health concerns related to shocks from electrical equipment and exposure to compressed gas
• Risk of burnout due to prolonged and exhausting work schedules requiring continual attention to the physical and emotional needs of patients 
• Emotional stress stemming from the fact that patients frequently worsen over time
• A labour-intensive job that includes being on one’s feet for the better part of the work shift; a monotonous routine that needs constant attention to detail 
• Legal and ethical implications arising from ignorance of region-specific regulations

To qualify as a CDN, RNs must accumulate between 2,000 to 3,000 hours of bedside experience with renal patients two or three years prior to certification application. Check with your education provider for exact requirements. Fresh graduates have a greater chance of gaining experience in nephrology nursing rather than dialysis nursing. 

Participants will learn about pre-dialysis patient assessment, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, dialysis treatment, infection control procedures, and ECG interpretation. The knowledge base would include dialysis modality selection, anticoagulation management, patient education, pharmacology related to dialysis treatment and supportive medications.

Aspiring Dialysis Nurses often seek opportunities that help them gain considerable experience in nursing specialities, such as acute care, oncology, or surgery, before entering their chosen field of dialysis care.

Generally, any academic program an aspiring Dialysis Nurse takes up requires supervised experience, such as an internship. Students will benefit from tasks outside the classroom that align with lessons inside it. In addition, one may hear countless stories and obtain valuable hands-on experience from more experienced professionals who can turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.

Some employers partner with approved health institutions to sponsor nursing degree apprenticeships that allow students to combine paid work with part-time nursing studies.

To show their commitment to the long qualifying period, every applicant to a nursing program needs work experience in their local hospital, doctor's surgery, nursing home, or mental health trust. It will help them understand some of the physical and emotional demands of a career in nursing.

Some teaching hospitals also offer work experience in their nephrology departments, specifically for secondary school students interested in a nursing degree and a career as a Dialysis Nurse. It can be a helpful way to gain further insight.

The experience may also help you determine whether the public, private, or voluntary sector is best suited to realise one’s ambitions. Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable work placements, internships and voluntary work opportunities in diverse sectors.

Read about the profession, perform community service, undertake relevant research and interview/job shadow experienced Dialysis Nurses to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers. It helps to document such experiences on letters of recommendation to be submitted with nursing school applications.

Dialysis Nurses must demonstrate excellent analytical, problem-solving and observation skills while operating dialysis machines in a calm, patient and compassionate manner that brings beneficial health results. 

A two-year ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) or a four-year BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) leading to an RN (registered nurse) licensure is a concrete step in realising their professional goals. An accredited associate or bachelor’s degree in public health is a popular alternative.

In some regions, an LPN (Licenced Practical Nurse) or LVN (Licenced Vocational Nurse) programme, which takes one year and 45-50 credits, may offer a shorter path to becoming a Dialysis Nurse. These entry-level nurses must then pass the BSN degree to qualify for RN.

An ideal academic programme will comprise anatomy, physiology, microbiology, nursing ethics, emergency care, clinical theory, and community health. Some employers may lean towards applicants with a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing.

Appropriate college preparatory courses to be taken in high school include biology, chemistry, algebra, trigonometry, statistics, physics, psychology, foreign languages, and physiology/anatomy. English and speech classes will help you develop your research, writing, and oral communication skills.

Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.

Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.

Aspiring Dialysis Nurses who complete an ADN, BSN, LPN, or LVN programme from a recognised educational institution are eligible to take the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) and demonstrate their hard-earned knowledge of healthcare management and patient care. Successful candidates can apply for an RN licence with their local licensing board.

Although the NCLEX-RN is specific to the United States, it is internationally recognised as a valid, reliable, and standardised measure of nursing competence that guarantees quality patient care and safety. Typically, licensure requires an application, processing fees, an examination, and relevant education and experience.

Certification demonstrates a Dialysis Nurse’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Certification in dialysis/nephrology and advanced cardiac life support from the local certifying authority would help you stand out in a competitive job market. It may carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent.

RNs with at least two years of full-time nursing experience with renal patients can be eligible to apply for and pass the test that will qualify them as CDNs (Certified Dialysis Nurses) when they accumulate at least 2,000 hours of clinical experience within the last two years.

Some locations require fresh nursing graduates to register with the local nursing and midwifery council before seeking employment as a Dialysis Nurse.

Dialysis Nurses may also need to undergo an employment background check including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Dialysis Nurses who can become Certified Nephrology Nurses Practitioners or Advanced Practice Nurses and act as primary care providers for patients with impaired kidney function.

As you establish your credibility as a competent and trustworthy Dialysis Nurse, you will become eligible for promotion to supervisory positions, such as Organ Recovery/Transplant Coordinator, Case Manager, and Nurse Manager, before becoming Nursing Director.

You can specialise in providing dialysis nursing to only adult, paediatric, or geriatric populations or build expertise in continuous renal replacement therapy, palliative care, and organ transplantation. Other viable professional improvement opportunities include moving out of the clinical setting to higher positions in academics and research.

The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.

Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.

Patient, compassionate, and competent Dialysis Nurses with excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and observational skills, an exemplary bedside manner, and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for public well-being and career progression in the healthcare sector. It embraces several new learning objectives, educational methodologies, and novel technological developments, especially in education, management, and IT. CPD also enables the regular renewal of desirable certifications, licences, and registrations.

Reflective learning, interaction with peer groups, comprehensive inclusion, workshops, and professional publications educate, influence, support, and foster lifelong enlightenment in all career-grade Dialysis Nurses. 

The additional experience, resources and knowledge you will acquire through an MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) or a DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice) can increase your chances of advancement as a certified nephrology nurse practitioner or advanced practice nurse.

Networking events, conferences, training, and webinars focused on nephrology will enable you to interact with peers who can address your concerns about your chosen career path, act as mentors, or point you towards better job opportunities. 

Dialysis Nurses seeking to focus on research to help renal patients with frequently complex needs and diverse co-morbidities can expect support and additional training from the academic institution or from Vitae, a non-profit global leader with over 50 years of experience in enhancing the skills of researchers. 

In partnership with governments, funders of research, professional bodies, trusts & foundations, universities, and research institutes, Vitae offers training, resources, events, consultancy, and membership.

Dialysis Treatment - What Does It Entail?

Patients diagnosed with kidney disease or kidney injuries require dialysis treatment. In this medical process, a machine replicates the functions of a healthy kidney and filters the blood to remove waste and excess salt and water from the patient’s body. 

Areas of Intervention

Dialysis Nurses may help administer ongoing chronic dialysis treatment several times a week to patients who suffer from chronic kidney disease. Acute dialysis is urgent treatment provided to patients experiencing sudden and extreme drops in kidney function. Peritoneal dialysis filters toxins from the stomach using a catheter filled with cleansing fluid.

What May Be In Store

Kidney disease is a nerve-wracking and highly complicated health condition. Patients often face various comorbid conditions, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and infectious disease, that may impact every organ system. It can appear out of nowhere and requires a holistic management approach by a skilled and caring medical team. Patients with kidney failure may need dialysis and lifetime healthcare until they receive a kidney transplant. 

Current Scenario

The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year, location, employment turnover, occupational growth, size of the occupation, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.

An ageing population increase, chronic kidney disease incidence, and a growing trend towards providing dialysis treatment in outpatient clinics and home settings signal a rising demand for competent Dialysis Nurses.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Dialysis Nurses have more flexible work schedules and locations. They own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, a full-time Dialysis Nurse has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

The kidneys, which weigh a measly 160 gm each, filter close to 200 litres (52 gallons) of blood throughout a given day to remove waste and excess liquid from our bodies and regulate our sodium levels.

With a true cure for kidney disease yet to be found, Dialysis Nurses may rarely experience the soul-stirring fulfilment of seeing a patient get better; helping patients maintain optimal health under challenging circumstances is what makes their work gratifying.

Let us never consider ourselves finished, nurses. We must be learning all of our lives.” —Florence Nightingale