Most Dialysis RNs probably don’t expect Travel Nursing to be an opportunity open to them. They’d be wrong. As the nursing shortage continues to grow, demand for registered nurses of all specialties is growing nationwide. The opportunity for Dialysis RNs to experience travel nursing is at an all time high. Medical Solutions has exclusive contracts with Dialysis clinics throughout the country which allows you to pick and choose where you want to work, how much you want to earn, and for how long you want to stay there. You finally have the opportunity to travel and experience new places. So what are you waiting for?
The Baby Boomers are aging. Cases of diabetes and heart disease (both contributors to kidney problems) are rising. Plus, kidney disease already affects about one in 10 Americans. Because of these factors, demand is consistently high and currently growing for dialysis nurses and other dialysis healthcare professionals to work dialysis, and that means there are many high-paying dialysis travel nursing jobs in exciting locations nationwide.
Dialysis Travel Nursing Career
A career in dialysis travel nursing is a wonderful way for you to avoid nurse burnout — although the job is still very demanding, working in various locations and facilities can help keep you refreshed and motivated to provide the best patient care. It’s also a fantastic way to continue sharpening your skills, learn from new colleagues and facilities nationwide, and continue to build your resume. When you travel with Medical Solutions, you’ll also earn great money and have great benefits.
To be successful working in dialysis you must be highly skilled at working with technical healthcare machinery (like dialysis machines), an excellent communicator, very patient and compassionate, incredibly detail-oriented, a very hard worker, and able to function well in a high-stress environment.
Dialysis Nurse Responsibilities
Dialysis nurses care for patients experiencing chronic or acute kidney failure. They are experts in kidney disease, kidney function, and dialysis administration. They should be familiar with the two types of dialysis — hemodialysis and peritoneal — so they are able to administer, monitor, and educate patients and families for both types.
The main duties of a dialysis nurse can include correct set-up and operation of dialysis machines and equipment, safe administration of dialysis and medications, keen patient assessment, careful patient monitoring, educating patients and family/caregivers on administration and other issues regarding kidney health and kidney disease management, and collaborating with their nephrology team members to provide the best possible patient care.
Average Dialysis RN Salary
The average annual salary range for dialysis RNs in the United States varies depending on location, experience, and other factors. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for registered nurses in general was $75,330 as of May 2020. However, according to salary data from Glassdoor, the average base pay for dialysis RNs in the US is around $70,000 to $85,000 per year. Factors that can affect salary include the type of employer, such as a hospital or outpatient clinic, and the region of the country. In general, dialysis RNs with more experience and specialized certifications may be able to command higher salaries. Typically travel nurses can expect to see a salary range that lands somewhere between $60,000-$95,000/yr but this depends on how many assignments you take, and the other factors listed above.
Where Are Dialysis RNs in Demand?
Demand for dialysis RNs is growing nationwide! California, New York, Texas, and Illinois reflect high demand. This means that these locations will often have higher than average dialysis nurse salaries.
Who Works in Dialysis?
Dialysis nurses can work in a variety of settings, so that setting will determine who might work alongside a dialysis RN day to day. Dialysis nurses can work in ICUs, dialysis units, hospice centers, home health, nursing homes, transplant centers, and dialysis clinics. Team members working in dialysis can include dialysis RNs, dialysis patient care techs, dialysis LPN/LVNs, nephrologists, clinical managers, dieticians or nutritionists, administrative staff, and social workers/case managers.
Who’s Treated by Dialysis?
Patients in nephrology who require dialysis have kidneys that are unable to perform normal, necessary functions are they’re receiving dialysis to replicate some of the important functions done by healthy kidneys. Dialysis basically mimics kidney function by removing toxins that are normally expelled by a healthy renal system — regulating blood and cleansing the body of excess salt, water, fluids, and waste. Common reasons that a patient needs dialysis include kidney disease, renal failure, renal transplant patients, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Dialysis RN Education Requirements
Dialysis registered nurses must have an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). Dialysis RNs must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Additionally, aspiring dialysis RNs may complete specialized training and certification in nephrology nursing, which covers the diagnosis and treatment of kidney-related conditions. This can be achieved through organizations like the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA) or the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC). Continuing education is also important for dialysis RNs to stay up-to-date on the latest developments and best practices in the field.
Dialysis RN Certification Requirements
The Basic Life Support (BLS) certification will most likely be required but additional certifications such as Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) may not depending on the requirements of the facility.
Certifications for dialysis RNs are not always required, but they can demonstrate advanced knowledge and expertise in the field of nephrology nursing. The two most widely recognized certifications for dialysis RNs are the Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN) and the Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) credentials.
To be eligible for the CNN certification exam, RNs must have at least 2,000 hours of experience working in nephrology nursing within the past three years, or have completed a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education in nephrology nursing within the past three years. The exam covers topics such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, transplantation, and acute kidney injury, among others.
The CDN certification exam is designed specifically for RNs who work in dialysis settings, including outpatient clinics and acute care hospitals. To be eligible for the exam, RNs must have at least 2,000 hours of experience working in dialysis nursing within the past two years, or have completed a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education in dialysis nursing within the past two years. The exam covers topics such as patient assessment, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, infection control, and patient education, among others.
Certification exams for dialysis RNs are typically administered by professional organizations such as the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) or the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA). Obtaining certification can demonstrate a high level of expertise in the field of nephrology nursing and may lead to increased career opportunities and salary potential.
Dialysis RN Experience Requirements
Facilities typically require a minimum of two years of recent, in-hospital experience in order to hire you as a dialysis travel nurse. You’ll want the benefit of experience since travel nurses have to hit the ground running!