How to Become a Dialysis Nurse
Demand for dialysis has been increasing in the United States over the past several years creating new employment opportunities for those interested in learning how to become a dialysis nurse. The provision of patient care is dependent on the efforts of different types of medical personnel including the doctors, nurses, and allied health providers. Although the knowledge and skill sets of each of these providers varies, the services that they offer complement each other in order to improve the health of patients and protect the public.
The Nursing Profession
Nurses currently represent the largest number of employees in the healthcare sector accounting for approximately 3 million jobs. The vast majority of the people working in this profession are employed by public and private hospital networks. In addition to hospitals, nurses can be found working in residential care facilities, a doctor’s office, correctional facilities, schools, clinics, and government agencies. The role that a nurse will play within a particular organization is dependent on the type of establishment where they work, their experience, and credentials beyond the basic level of education required to work in the profession.
How to Become a Dialysis Nurse
Individuals who want to help manage patients who suffer from chronic kidney disease by administering dialysis treatment will need to complete the general requirements for entering the nursing profession before pursuing employment in a nephrology clinic. The most common educational pathways for entering the nursing profession include a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) and an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN). The level of education that is completed will have a significant influence on the types of responsibilities that an individual can accept and some facilities may require an applicant to finish a Master’s Degree in order to specialize in certain departments or take on administrative roles within the organization.
There are numerous degree programs available to aspiring nurses in the United States and they usually all include courses in human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, psychology, and behavioral sciences. Most programs offer hands-on clinical experience that is designed to help the students become familiar with the provision of care process. An Associate’s Degree will typically require 2 or 3 years to complete while a Bachelor’s Degree usually lasts for a minimum of 4 years. Although both educational options allow students to qualify for entry-level positions, those wanting to work with more autonomy and authority will need to successfully complete a Bachelor’s Degree. Specialty employment opportunities might require additional education, training, and certification.
A formal college education is the first step of several in learning how to become a dialysis nurse. Most states require nurses to become licensed in order to begin providing patient care. While the requirements for obtaining a nursing license vary among states, almost all nurses will be expected to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). This examination is widely recognized as the standard for competency assessments in the profession and ensures that individuals have the basic knowledge and skills they need.
Acquiring Specialty Certification
Although a nursing degree and successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam are two of the most important components for learning how to become a dialysis nurse, many employers have adopted specialty certification as a condition of employment. This ensures that an individual has acquired experience in the dialysis setting and possesses the knowledge and skills needed to provide different types of treatment under various circumstances. The two largest organizations that offer certification exams to dialysis nurses include the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission as well as the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology. Since these organizations provide a variety of exams based on an applicant’s credentials and experience, it is important to carefully review the eligibility requirements of each when researching how to become a dialysis nurse. Details about each of the major exam options currently available can be found on our certification page.
Clinical Experience and Advancement
Formal education, licensing, and certification represent three of the most important components for learning how to become a dialysis nurse, but clinical experience is also an essential element for advancing a career in the industry. Individuals who choose to pursue this career path will begin acquiring experience as a student and will build on their knowledge as they complete the licensing process and engage in normal clinical responsibilities. Over time, some people might have the option to accept managerial activities that allow them to take on administrative operations of the organization and earn more money. While many nurses prefer to continue providing hands-on clinical services, some find that a promotion presents them with the kinds of challenges they need in order to remain actively engaged and enthusiastic about the profession.
A career in the nursing profession is one of the most rewarding healthcare employment options available. While the requirement for becoming a nurse can be far more stringent than that of the technician and assistant, the additional responsibilities that are assigned to nurses allow them to have more influence over the health and well-being of patients. In addition, job openings for nurses is expected to grow by 19% over the next ten years as the prevalence of diseases such as diabetes and obesity continues to rise.