Is Becoming a Nephrology Nurse Right for You?
A nephrology nurse is specially trained to care for patients with kidney issues, administer treatments, and assist with education and care planning. In this specialty role, you could work in hospital units, dialysis centers, kidney treatment clinics, and more. Learn more about this specialty, the strengths it requires, and how to get started.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than one in seven U.S. adults. Patients with kidney issues often have complex, co-occurring health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, so this role requires critical thinking and strong communication skills.
Nephrology nurses commonly see these issues:
- Acute kidney injury, usually resulting from another illness
- Kidney failure requiring dialysis
- Glomerular disease, where the filters in the kidneys are damaged
- Kidney stones
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a genetic disorder where cysts grow within the kidneys
- Renal artery stenosis, when one or both arteries leading to the kidneys narrow
- Lupus nephritis, an autoimmune disorder where the body’s cells are attacked by the immune system
- End-stage renal disease (ESRD), requiring a transplant or palliative care
What Is Nephrology Nursing?
Nephrology nurses help patients with a range of kidney disorders and issues. They help manage treatments such as dialysis, medication therapy, and kidney transplant coordination, while also educating patients on lifestyle changes that can slow disease progression.
Nephrology nurses can work in several settings, including acute care hospitals, outpatient kidney clinics, ambulatory dialysis centers, transplant units, and home health agencies. Their responsibilities may include:
- Collecting samples and monitoring lab results to adjust treatment plans.
- Providing emotional support and helping patients navigate the complexities of kidney disease management.
- Administering dialysis treatments and ensuring vascular access sites are functional and infection-free.
- Assisting in kidney transplant procedures by preparing patients for surgery, monitoring them postoperatively, and managing immunosuppressive medications.
- Teaching home dialysis patients how to safely perform peritoneal dialysis at home, and troubleshooting potential complications.
Strengths Required in Nephrology Nursing
- Patience and empathy. Many patients with CKD and ESRD require lifelong treatment. As their nurse, you’ll need to be compassionate, understanding, and skilled in helping patients and their families cope with long-term conditions.
- Excellent communication. Nephrology nurses educate patients on complex dietary restrictions, medication regimens, lifestyle changes, and procedures. They may also coordinate care with nephrologists, dietitians, and social workers, so effective communication is essential.
- Emotional resilience. Unfortunately, recovery from issues like ESRD is very rare. Nephrology nurses have to navigate the emotional complexities of a population with critical needs.
Nephrology Nurse: Salary Expectations
Nephrology nurses may work in a variety of settings, so their average income will depend, in part, on their workplace. The average nursing salary in the United States is $94,480 per year. What you earn as a nurse is influenced by several factors, like your years of experience and additional credentials.
Location also has a big impact on what you earn as a nurse. Check out nursing jobs in these states with the highest incomes for nurses:
How Do I Become a Certified Nephrology Nurse? 4 Steps
Becoming an RN will likely take you between two and four years at least. The bulk of this time is spent on earning a nursing degree, then you’ll need to pass the licensure exam for RNs. See the steps below for how to become a nurse, and if you’re already a nephrology nurse, skip to step four to learn about nephrology certification.
Step 1: Go to Nursing School
Any nursing specialty starts with a prelicensure RN degree program. You could pursue a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Learn about comparing ADN vs. BSN degrees.
During nursing school, you’ll take course units in renal physiology, pathophysiology, and chronic disease management. You’ll also likely cycle through clinical rotations in adult med-surg units, where you may see patients with kidney disease. Be sure to ask lots of questions during clinicals, and review proper lab values to learn how kidney disease impacts the body.
Step 2: Pass the NCLEX
After completing your nursing degree, you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX tests your knowledge of patient care, safety, pharmacology, and disease management to ensure you’re ready to practice nursing at the entry level.
Depending on where you live, there will likely be an additional state-level RN licensure application process. This commonly includes a background check, official transcript submission, and an application fee. Once you pass the exam and get your license, you’ll be eligible to start working as an RN.
Step 3: Gain Experience
Before you can pursue certification, you’ll need to gain hands-on experience working with patients who have kidney disease, are undergoing dialysis, or are recovering from kidney transplants.
Consider applying to new grad RN jobs in the following areas:
- Dialysis centers (outpatient or hospital-based)
- Nephrology hospital units
- Transplant teams
- Home health agencies specializing in dialysis care
Working in nephrology nursing will help you develop expertise in renal patient care, dialysis procedures, and chronic disease management. If you want to connect with other nephrology nurses and stay updated on developments in kidney care, consider becoming a member of the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA). They have podcast episodes, videos, articles, and a community for this specialty. Learn about becoming an ANNA member.
Step 4: Earn Nephrology Certification
While specialty certifications aren’t usually required for nursing jobs, they can help solidify your confidence and even improve patient outcomes. Plus, many facilities offer income bonuses for certified nurses, so they’re a great way to boost your nursing income.
The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission offers the Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN) credential to RNs who care for patients with kidney disease. To qualify, you’ll need to meet the eligibility requirements, submit an application, and pass the certification exam.
Other potential certifications for kidney nurses include Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) and Certified Nephrology Nurse – Nurse Practitioner (CNN-NP).
Nephrology Nursing FAQ
Nephrology nurse vs. dialysis nurse: What’s the difference?
While both of these nurses care for patients with kidney issues, nephrology is a broader term that can encompass other areas of kidney care. Dialysis nursing falls under the umbrella of nephrology nursing, but not every kidney nurse works in dialysis.
Inpatient vs. outpatient nephrology nurse: What’s the difference?
These nurses deal with the same patient population, but in different states of disease stability. Inpatient nephrology nurses work in clinical areas where patients are too sick to go home after treatment — hospitals, critical care units, and transplant units, for example. Nephrology nurses in outpatient settings do more health promotion and disease prevention, educating patients on lifestyle changes and monitoring for complications of kidney disease.
Find Roles for Nephrology Nurses
Whether you’re an experienced nephrology nurse or you’re just getting started in this field, IntelyCare can help you find your next role. Learn more with our personalized job notifications.