Nephrology is a medical field focused on the kidney, its ailments and their treatments. Nephrology nurses are registered nurses who have degrees in nursing and specialize in caring for patients who are at risk for kidney disease or who already suffer from its effects. They are usually certified through the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission and have completed advanced coursework in the area of nephrology care.
Kidney patients come from a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Infants, adults and the elderly can all suffer from kidney disease. Some patients have additional health issues such as diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, or substance abuse problems. Nephrology nurses use a holistic approach to help patients manage their lives while dealing with their illness.
Nurses who specialize in nephrology have a variety of career options. They can pursue employment in settings such as hospitals, outpatient treatment centers and dialysis clinics. Nephrology nurses with advanced degrees can seek employment as nurse practitioners, as clinical nurse specialists, or as nurse case managers. They can also seek employment as nurse educators or pursue research opportunities in their field of study.
Many nephrology nurses work specifically with patients who receive a particular type of treatment. Some nephrology nurses care for patients who receive kidney transplants. Other nurses specialize in hemodialysis, a medical process that removes toxic bodily wastes from the bloodstream. Hemodialysis nurses treat patients who are suffering from kidney failure. They have in-depth knowledge of hemodialysis machines and can troubleshoot problems with the equipment, if necessary, along with educating patients and providing long-term care.
Some nephrology nurses specialize in peritoneal dialysis, another process that removes toxic waste products from the bloodstream. Peritoneal dialysis nurses teach patients how to use permanent catheters to self-manage their chronic or acute kidney failure at home. They also work with medical teams to manage the patient's needs, perform and analyze tests, and evaluate the patient's response to therapy.
Nephrology nurses work with other healthcare providers to determine the type of care a patient needs and to administer the necessary treatment methods. They teach patients and their families about the patient's condition and inform them about the different treatment options that are available, and they teach family members how to provide in-home care for patients. Compassion and strong communication skills are important personality traits for nephrology nurses, because they must be able to share information with patients and their families. Kidney failure can lead to death, so nurses must be prepared for the inevitability of losing patients without losing their hope and optimism.
