To honor the dedicated nephrology nurses who care for patients with kidney disease, the American Nephrology Nurse Association (ANNA) has designated the second full week in September each year as Nephrology Nurses Week. In 2023, Nephrology Nurses Week will be celebrated September 10-16.
Nephrology Nurses: Nurturing, Inspiring, Quality-Focused, Uplifting, Encouraging
One of the most diverse nursing specialties practiced today, nephrology nurses care for patients of all ages who have, or are at risk for, kidney disease. Nephrology nurses use their vision, knowledge and skills to improve patient outcomes. Caring for patients with kidney disease requires nurses to be highly skilled, well-educated and self-motivated. Nephrology nurses cite the variety and challenges of the specialty as fueling their ongoing passion.
The Buffalo General Medical Center Hemodialysis Department provides hemodialysis treatments for patients in need of blood filtration. Highly trained and skilled dialysis RNs and board-certified nephrologists collaborate to provide treatment for adult acute and chronic renal failure patients who require short- or long-term hemodialysis.
A select few RNs are trained to perform plasmapheresis and red cell exchange on patients, as well. The unit also relies on the unique skill sets of special procedures RNs, a UAP, clinical engineering technician and the unit secretary to serve the needs of patients and their families.
In addition to hemodialysis, this team of dedicated professionals also perform plasmapheresis for patients who have autoimmune or neurological diseases or toxins in the blood that need to be removed, red blood cell exchange for patients who need treatment for a number of diseases, including sickle cell anemia.
ANNA launched Nephrology Nurses Week to give employers, patients, and others the opportunity to thank nephrology nurses for their life-saving work. In addition, ANNA also hopes to spark interest in other nurses about the multifaceted career opportunities available in nephrology.