Renal Dialysis Nurse

A renal dialysis nurse, also called a nephrology nurse, is a certified registered nurse specializing in caring for patients with inherited or acquired kidney disease who need hemodialysis treatment. Renal dialysis nurses can work in acute or chronic care settings like hospitals, homes, clinics or doctor's offices. To become an RN, a student must complete an undergraduate program in nursing and pass the RN licensure exam. RNs can then acquire work experience in nephrology nursing to qualify for the dialysis nurse certification exam.

Required Education	Undergraduate degree or diploma
Other Requirements	Nursing license
Certification	Voluntary certification in dialysis nursing available
Projected Job Growth*	19% between 2012 and 2022 (registered nurses)
Median Salary (2013)*	$66,220 (registered nurses)

A candidate must be a licensed registered nurse in order to sit for the certified dialysis nurse exam. Aspiring registered nurses may earn either a nursing diploma, an associate's degree in nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. 

Registered nurses need to have 2,000 hours or more of recent experience in nephrology nursing to qualify for the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission's certified dialysis nurse exam. They need to have cared for dialysis patients within two years. Candidates are also required to complete 15 contact hours of continuing education in nephrology nursing. Whaaat?

Salary: $66,220