Patients on Dialysis A dialysis center has many employees, among them nurses that are specially trained to care for the needs of those patients receiving dialysis. A dialysis nurse is actually a Nephrology nurse. This is a special group of registered nurses that work with patients diagnosed with diseases of the kidneys. The nephrology nurse has specialized training in this area, and has been educated and trained to care to these patients. A nurse working in a hemodialysis center has many responsibilities, among them: • Educating patients about their disease, and the treatment for their disease. The nurse will be available to answer questions, and to speak with the family of the patient to answer any questions they may have. The nurse can provide dietary guidelines in order to get the best possible nutrition. •
The nurse will constantly monitor vital signs during their dialysis treatment. They will do frequent checks on patients, ensure they are feeling well, and see if they have any needs during the dialysis process.
•
The nurse will review all lab reports to ensure there are no abnormalities. They will forward information to the patient's doctor for a complete evaluation, and to determine if any changes in treatment or medication need to be made.
•
The special training for a nephrology nurse enables them to spot any abnormalities, and to observe the patient's reaction during the treatment. They will constantly observe the patients during the process and make notes of their condition.
•
A kidney specialist nurse is very familiar with medications that most patients are on. They will check medications, and compare to lab levels to ensure each medication is working as intended.
Among the jobs the kidney specialist nurse does is, as all nurses do, cares for their patients. Related: Male Nurses Facts and History Home Hemodialysis Nurses Some patients do not receive dialysis in a center, but rather in their own home. These patients are dependent on the nurse to coordinate and
oversee their care and treatment. In addition, the nurse working with the in-home dialysis patient does a variety of other jobs: •
Monitoring the patient's condition before, during and after treatment
•
Instruct patients and family members how to successfully perform dialysis in a home environment.
•
Before starting the in-home treatment, the nurse will need to evaluate the patient, and determine their needs, and their level of comprehension.
•
The nurse will work with the patient to ensure they understand what their medications are for and when/how to take them.
In addition, the nurse will alert the attending physician of any changes or problems with treatment. A dialysis nurse is not only a nurse, but a teacher as well. They know how to educate a patient and their family on the use of dialysis. They closely monitor the patient's condition, and also teach the patient how to monitor themselves, and when to report abnormalities. Related: Safety in the Workplace To enter this specialty field of nursing, you do need additional training beyond that of a registered nurse. Many continue education when earning their nursing degree, however you can also achieve specialty certification through online classes or through certification programs that your employer may offer. Nephrology nurses may work in settings other than a dialysis center. Hospitals employ kidney specialist nurses to work with patients that are admitted with diseases of the kidneys. They may work specifically with these patients developing treatment plans and organizing what care and supports are needed. Nephrologist Physicians also hire nurses that specialize in the care of the kidneys. There are a number of options for nurses specializing in this field, as diabetic physicians also hire kidney specialized nurses to work within their practice. Diabetic patients are at an increased risk of developing kidney disease, and the nurse can offer information and education that will possibly prevent the onset of such conditions. Hospitals also employ the specialized nurses to provide education to newly diagnosed patients, although these nurses often work on a part time basis only, depending on need. This is a specialized field, however, not unlike registered nurses; there can be shortages in your area. If you have an interest in working in this field talk to your human resource department to determine what continuing education is needed, and proceed from there.
Related: Distinguished Registered Nurse Awilda Alvarado, RN, BSN will be Honorably Mentioned in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter