Nursing is a growing field, and one complex and exciting area is dialysis nursing. Chronic kidney disease is a growing public health issue due to increasing risk factors such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension. These conditions increase the likelihood of kidney failure, which is serious because kidneys are essential organs in the human body. The kidneys act as filters to separate waste products and excess liquids from the body, which are then removed in the form of urine. Kidneys also regulate the amount of acids, salts and minerals in the body.
Understand Why Dialysis Treatment is Needed
If one or both kidneys significantly lose function, dialysis is often a solution, which is an artificial method of cleaning the blood of waste products. There are two types of dialysis, hemodialysis or peritoneal, and there are pros and cons to both. Hemodialysis is more common and requires less involvement from the patient on site, although it does require stricter dietary controls. Peritoneal dialysis, which involves using the peritoneal (torso) cavity and a catheter to filter waste, gives patients more flexibility in when and where their dialysis needs to be done.
Dialysis can be performed at a hospital, clinic or other healthcare facility, or at home. It is the dialysis nurse’s job to hook the patient to the dialysis machine and monitor the patient and the machine while the blood is processing. Dialysis can last up to three to four hours and may be required around three times a week or more, depending upon the acuteness of renal failure. Because of the amount of time needed for dialysis, nurses also have the opportunity to provide support to patients in the form of dietary guidance, social support and resource recommendation.
Dialysis attempts to duplicate the functions of a normal kidney, and can be used for years to help with kidney failure. Many patients choose to be evaluated as a candidate for kidney transplantation as an alternative. Patients may become sicker as time goes on, or become fatigued with the continual need for dialysis. But it also means that the role of the dialysis nurse is an important one—you may be able to help motivate and support patients during this difficult time using your nursing skills.
Become a Registered Nurse to Start
To start your career as a dialysis nurse, you’ll need to be an RN and enroll in a dialysis nurse training program. Here are some important factors to consider before you enroll:
Dialysis nurses (also referred to as nephrology nurses) are responsible for the following:
- Keeping the dialysis machine and other necessary equipment ready for patient use
- Checking the patient’s vital signs prior to dialysis such as temperature, blood pressure, weight, etc.
- Connecting the dialysis machine to the patient depending upon the type of dialysis
- Tracking patient’s vital signs and status during the dialysis process
- Recording information to enable the nephrologist (kidney doctor) to assess the patient’s condition
- Helping the patient and/or family members understand and operate the machine when the dialysis is done at home
- Advising the patient on general dialysis care and precautions based on physician’s orders
To Become a Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN)
You will need a special dialysis certification to get a nursing job in this field. Follow the steps below and you’ll be on your way to a rewarding career as a dialysis nurse.
If you are already a Registered Nurse:
- Complete 2,000 hours of nursing work with renal patients within two years.
- Complete a minimum of fifteen continuing education hours.
- Apply for the CDN credential.
If you are not currently a Registered Nurse:
- Obtain a nursing degree from an accredited institution.
- Complete the National Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and get licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN).
- Complete 2,000 hours of nursing work with renal patients within two years.
- Complete a minimum of 15 continuing education hours.
- Apply for the CDN credential by taking the CDN examination. The CDN exam is conducted by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) and candidates must achieve a score of 70-75% to pass and become certified. The CDN credential is valid for three years and needs to be renewed. For recertification, eligibility requirements are:
- Holding a current and valid RN and CDN license
- Spending half of total employment hours in the past three years in nephrology nursing
- Completing at least 1,000 hours of work in dialysis nursing
- Completing 30 hours of continuing education in nephrology
As an alternative to providing evidence of completion of continuing education, you can retake the CDN examination to renew the credential.
Compensation and Prospects
Dialysis nurse jobs are well compensated. As a dialysis nurse, you can expect to earn around $55,000 to $75,000 annually and the compensation is higher if you are a certified CDN. Future prospects include supervisory positions or moving into teaching roles such as an education coordinator.