Rozina Aziz This article shares information about dialysis nurse. their duties and how much does a dialysis nurse make? through this information you can advance your career into nursing.
What is a Dialysis Nurse?
Dialysis nurses are healthcare professionals who specialize in nephrology nursing, and provide care to patients with acute or chronic renal failure. These patients require a special treatment – dialysis or hemodialysis – to flush out waste from their bodies, like a spring clean!
Dialysis nurses are dedicated professionals who take proactive measures in watching over the health of their patients – not just when they undergo dialysis, but also with any other kidney-related medical issues that may arise.
What Does Dialysis Nurse Do?
Dialysis nurses are healthcare professionals who provide support to patients with kidney failure. Dialysis is a process that assists these individuals with the filtration and excretion of waste that their kidneys can not do on their own.
Their duties include:
- Educating patients, families, and caregivers about their disease and treatment plan
- Overseeing the dialysis treatment from start to finish including priming the dialyzer and bloodlines
- Recording patients’ medical information and vital signs
- Managing multiple dialysis patients throughout treatment
- Identifying irregular dialysis reactions and notifying appropriate medical team members
- Providing pre- and post-procedure care to patients within the Hemodialysis Unit
- Preparing and updating nursing care plans
- Helping patients follow-up with their transplant centers
- Developing a training plan for each patient
- Evaluating the patients’ ability to perform their dialysis treatment
- Letting the medical team know about any changes to the patients’ conditions
- Collecting bloodwork and other laboratory tests as ordered
- Following up with patients after dialysis
- Scheduling dialysis treatments
- Working with the Dialysis Technicians to ensure that dialysis machines and equipment are set up correctly
- Evaluating patients’ reaction to dialysis treatment and medications
- Administering medications during treatment
How To Become a Dialysis Nurse?
To become a Dialysis Nurse, you’ll need to complete the following steps:
To pursue a career in nursing, an ADN or a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree must be earned from an approved nursing program. Advanced nurses may decide to further their education and complete their desired degrees.
Successful completion of the NCLEX is necessary to obtain a Registered Nurse license. Acquiring medical-surgical experience, especially in nephrology nursing, is typically required before pursuing a position as a dialysis nurse. Generally, recent graduates are not immediately eligible for dialysis nursing roles.
To pursue a career as a dialysis nurse, it is generally necessary to have at least two years of nephrology nursing and medical-surgical experience. Generally, new graduates do not receive an offer for a role in dialysis nursing without prior experience.
The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission provides two certifications for Dialysis/Nephrology Nurses: Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) and Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN). Earn specialized recognition in the field of Nephrology Nursing with two certifications from the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission!
Where Do Dialysis Nurses Work?
Dialysis nurses provide treatments and procedures on the go – in hospitals, outpatient clinics, or even patients’ homes!
Typically, dialysis nurses can work in the following locations:
- Academia
- Home healthcare agency
- Nursing home
- Hospice center
- Hemodialysis center
- Hospitals
- Outpatient clinics
- Transplant center
How Much Can Dialysis Nurses Earn Over Time?
A dialysis nurse’s earnings potential is affected by education level, work environment, and specialty. Furthermore, dialysis nurses should anticipate greater compensation as they advance in education and experience.
The only thing that can replace actual professional expertise is more experience in that field. Thus certificates and specializing can assist. New entrants to the field of dialysis nursing can expect to earn more than $15,000 less than their more seasoned counterparts.
How much does a dialysis nurse make?
Dialysis nurses generally have typical incomes that align with those of registered nurses, while the BLS does not collect data on this field explicitly. According to the BLS, the median annual income of a registered nurse is $60,230 in Alabama and $120,560 in California. The states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wyoming are the border between the northern United States and the southern United States.
While nurses in states with lesser earnings may be able to make ends meet thanks to the cost of living, nurses in states with a higher cost of living may find that their income needs to be more to cover their expenses.
How Do Dialysis Nurses’ Salaries Compare to Other Nurses?
Dialysis nurses earn competitive earnings with those working in other high-demand specialties. As per Payscale’s March 2022 data, dialysis nurses have the highest average compensation of any specialty in nursing, at over $76,000.
This is more than twice the average salary of public health nurses working with children. Yet their pay is lower than that of informaticists and traveling nurses. Earning potential for nurses in these subfields increases with experience and credentials.
Where are the highest-paying jobs for dialysis nurses in the United States?
We discovered at least five similar professions that pay more annually than the average Dialysis Nurse’s income. The positions of dialysis travel PCT, dialysis travel RN, and pediatric dialysis specialist are prime examples.
The average compensation for a Dialysis Nurse is $76,947. Therefore the pay difference between these positions and the average is between $49,611 (64.5%) and $63,832 (83%). If you’re qualified, one of these connected careers could pay more than a standard Dialysis Nurse employment.
FAQ’s
What is the job outlook for dialysis nurses?
The job outlook for dialysis nurses is positive, with an expected growth rate of 13% between 2018 and 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations.
What is the highest-paying dialysis nurse’s salary?
The highest-paying dialysis nurse’s salary can vary depending on experience, location, and job responsibilities. However, some dialysis nurses may earn up to $87,000 annually.
What are the educational requirements to become a dialysis nurse?
To become a dialysis nurse, you must have a nursing degree and a valid nursing license in your state. Dialysis nurses may also need to complete a certification program.
Does a dialysis nurse need specialized training?
Yes, dialysis nurses must have specialized training to perform their duties. They must also be knowledgeable in dialysis equipment and processes, physiology and anatomy, pharmacology, and more.
Is it hard to work in dialysis nursing?
Treating chronically unwell patients can raise the risk of burnout for nurses working in dialysis. Nursing in this area is usually no more difficult than any other nursing specialty.
How many hours do dialysis nurses work?
Work hours for dialysis nurses might be unpredictable. It’s possible to work 12-hour shifts or 10-hour shifts if you can’t find a job open during regular business hours of 8-5. If you work lengthy shifts, you’ll have to get up early and stay at the office until late at night.
