Renal Dialysis Nursing
Renal Dialysis Nursing was
officially recognized in the early 1970s. It was during this time that advances
in Nephrology were established. As the need for Dialysis treatment grew, so did
the need for highly specialized Renal Dialysis Nurses.
Renal Dialysis Nursing is
one of the most recognizable nursing specialties today but, only a small
handful of the entire nursing population ever become Renal Dialysis Nurses
(RDNs). Some nurses go their entire careers without having operated Renal Dialysis
machines. They may have dealt with patients suffering from renal failure but
that is usually the extent of their Renal Nursing Experience.
So, what really is Renal
Dialysis nursing and how can a nurse become one?
What is Renal Dialysis Nursing?
Renal Dialysis Nursing is
also referred to as Nephrology Nursing. It is a nursing specialty where
practitioners work with patient suffering from renal conditions. Most renal
dialysis nurses deal with patients with acute and chronic renal failure. They
deal with patients of all genders, races and age groups.
A majority of Renal Dialysis
Nurses work in Ambulatory Renal Dialysis Units. Some work in clinics or
hospital wards that deal with patients undergoing dialysis treatment. Other
Renal Dialysis Nurses work as educators teaching patients about proper prevention,
lifestyle changes and shunt care.
Roles of a Renal Dialysis Nurse
The Renal Dialysis Nurse has
several roles to fulfill. These roles include being direct caregivers,
counselors and specialists. Nephrology Nurses must be very knowledgeable in
their field. They must be experts at initiating and terminating specialized IV
lines. RDNs must also be quick thinkers and they have to have an updated
knowledge about Basic and Advance Life Support.
The need for Life Support
training and expertise comes from the fact that most Renal Dialysis Units are sometimes
located outside hospital premises. Dialysis patients are also susceptible to
cardiac arrests and fluid volume overloads. This means that a Renal Dialysis
nurse has to have the ability to be able to revive their patients in case of
emergencies.
Renal Dialysis Nurses may
also play the role of Nurse Educators. Advance Practice Nurses (APNs) and Renal
Dialysis Clinical Specialist are usually the ones called to become educators.
They may work in clinics educating patients about prevention and lifestyle
changes. They may also educate fellow nurses and hospital staff on the advances
of Renal Nursing. APNs may also work as researchers in the field of Renal
Dialysis Nursing.
RDNs should also be prepared
to take on the role of Counselors. They should be ready to handle any concerns
emanating from patients and their families. It is important to keep in mind
that some patients who undergo renal dialysis suffer from ESRD (End Stage Renal
Disease). Patients with ESRD are often concerned about their mortality. As a
result, nurses may have to deal with a lot of patients and families that are
anticipatorily grieving.
How to become a Renal Dialysis Nurse
In order to become a full
fledge Renal Dialysis Nurse the nurse applicant must first arm him/herself with
the right qualifications. Specific qualifications vary from country to country.
But the basic requirement remains the same. That requirement is for the
applicant to earn a college degree in Nursing and he/she must be a registered
nurse (in the country he/she hopes to work in).
It is also advised that the
nurse earn an IV therapy license. In the Philippines, IV licensure comes with
the regular PRC license. But, some employers still require dialysis nurse
applicants to undergo special IV Therapy training. This training is offered
year round by the ANSAP (Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the
Philippines, Inc.). Schedules for IV Training are often posted in tertiary
hospitals all over the country.
Employers from countries
like the United States prefer (but do not require) for their nurses to have
special trainings and certifications as Renal Dialysis Nurses. Certification
may be earned from several Nephrology Nurses organizations like the American
Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA).
After earning the basic
requirements, the nurse can now proceed by applying to Independent dialysis
centers or to hospitals that house Renal Dialysis units. Nurses interested in
Renal Dialysis may also choose to work Nephrology clinics or in Kidney Centers.
Nursing Associations
The Philippines recognizes
Renal Dialysis Nursing as a nursing specialty. As a result, a subset of the
Philippine Nurses Association called the Renal Nurses Association of the
Philippines was formed. Renal Dialysis
Nurses who are interested to join this organization may contact their local PNA
chapter.
The United States have their
own specialty organization in the form of the ANNA. American licensed nurses may also join the
Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates.
Published at: 01/25/2015
