Why You Should Explore Becoming a Dialysis Nurse

Nurses of all types are in high demand all over the country. However, if you are a registered nurse and you specialize or become certified in dialysis, then you are going to have well above average job opportunities, pay, benefits, and hours. This is because the dialysis population in the United States alone currently exceeds over 400,000 people and is climbing daily.

What is involved in obtaining dialysis nurse jobs? You must first be a registered nurse (RN), a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), or a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Obviously, the RN is going to demand the most consideration in being hired to work in a dialysis setting. The dialysis nurse specialist must be trained in both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis and obtain all of the necessary education as well as meet all of the requirements to become certified for that position. One of the main requirements is going through an end stage renal disease dialysis facility and working there for at least a year. Then you must pass a test relating to all areas of nursing as well as your dialysis training certification test. Recertification is required once every four years to maintain your qualifications.

Though dialysis nurse jobs can be in many settings including hospitals, home visits, and cruise ships among others, the majority of these positions are in various dialysis clinics located throughout the country. You will find dialysis centers in major cities, medium sized cities, and even in some smaller towns. There is usually one located within a reasonable commute to almost any patient with ESRD who is currently on are ready to start dialysis treatments. No matter what part of the country you would like to work in, with the right qualifications, you will most likely have no problems obtaining a job there.

As a dialysis nurse, your responsibilities will include overseeing technicians working in your unit, maintaining documentation of all activities occurring in the unit, and ensuring top quality patient care. You will coordinate with the facility administrator, the nephrologists making their patient rounds at the dialysis clinic and any nurse practitioners assisting the doctors. It is up to you to make sure that patient records with all vital signs and weight, both pre and post dialysis are posted. Treatment information must be charted on each patient and all equipment and supplies must be working correctly and sanitized after each use. You should also note any condition whether medical, psychological, or dietary that warrants a doctor or the facility manager's attention.

A dialysis nurse's job is not only important but rewarding in many ways. In addition to seeing and interacting with the same patients on a weekly basis, the pay is usually well above average, the setting is typically small and congenial, benefits are usually outstanding, and there is often much flexibility with your work schedule.