Nurses

Nurses play an essential role in the early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD). When you are a general nurse you may see signs in the health status of the patients in your care that do alert you. Signs, which you want to share with your medical colleagues. When you are a renal nurse your education and experience gives you an outstanding position to see in an early stage the combination of risk factors that may lead to the development of CKD. You will advice further testing, crucial for the right diagnosis.

People of all ages, socioeconomic groups, and races may develop some form of kidney disease. The disease varies in severity, but when kidneys lose about 50% or more of their ability to function (GFR <60/ml/min) the have CKD, and with loss of 85% or greater (<15 ml/min), the condition is known as end stage renal disease (ESRD). At this point, the kidneys are no longer removing sufficient waste products of metabolism and excess fluids, balancing electrolytes, or regulating hormones to be compatible with life and renal replacement therapy is usually required.

Kidney patients include pediatric, adult, and geriatric individuals from a variety of ethnic groups. They have acute or chronic kidney failure, or are at risk for kidney disease. Care may be extremely complex: patients often have various comorbid conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, infectious disease, anemia, or bone disease.. In addition, many face psychosocial and financial issues. Patients learn to cope with these problems over time, especially with the help of a skilled and compassionate health care team. The nurse's role is to help patients manage their lives while effectively dealing with their health issues.

Nephrology nursing practice takes place in primary, secondary, and tertiary care settings and in the home – wherever individuals are experiencing or are at risk for kidney disease. Not all patients with kidney disease require dialysis. Some diseases that affect the kidneys are treatable and potentially curable. In these cases, one of the nephrology nurse's primary roles is to educate patients about their diseases, prognoses, and treatments. Nurses also work with patients to prevent progression of their kidney disease.

Source: American Nephrology Nurses' Association (ANNA): 'Discover Nephrology Nursing'. More information: www.annanurse.org,

On many more websites related to CKD you will find information, publications, seminars for renal nurses

For instance contact EDTNA-ERCA www.edtnaerca.org.

There are a number of journals for renal nurses. See for instance Journal of Renal Nursing www.renalnursing.co.uk