Want to Be a Travel Dialysis Nurse? Six Steps to Get There
By Lee Soren, contributor
The CDC estimates that 15% of the adult population in the United States suffers from chronic kidney disease. In people over the age of 65, that estimate rises to a staggering 38%, and the numbers are growing as the country's population ages. CKD brings with it a multitude of related health risks, including heart disease and stroke, making it the nation's ninth leading cause of death, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
Dialysis nurses play a large role in treating CKD, caring for patients whose injuries or illnesses have compromised their kidney function. They generally work in hospitals or freestanding dialysis clinics and are responsible for setting up equipment, enforcing safety protocols, administering treatment and monitoring and educating patients.
With nearly one in seven adults dealing with chronic kidney disease, the number of dialysis centers across the country is also growing. This increase in facilities means a rising demand for dialysis nurses and, in particular, for travel nurses who can jump in where they're needed, minimizing critical staffing shortages in high-demand areas.
If you're considering a career in this in-demand field, here are the six steps you'll need to take to become a travel dialysis nurse.
1. Complete your formal undergraduate education
To become a registered nurse, you'll need an undergraduate education. While it's up to you whether to pursue an associate's or bachelor's degree, it's worth noting that many companies looking to hire specialists in this field prefer candidates who hold a BSN. Nurses graduating with a BSN may also garner higher salaries, enjoy more leadership responsibilities and ultimately have greater opportunities for advancement than those with an associate's degree.
Whichever degree you choose, your nursing education should include formal classroom instruction and a supervised clinical component. Classes generally cover subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, microbiology, nutrition and public health, but students who wish to pursue a career in dialysis nursing should also consider taking courses in nephrology.
2. Pass your RN licensure examination
After completing your undergraduate degree, you'll need to become licensed in your state before you can formally practice nursing. This means passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, which is more commonly known as the NCLEX-RN.
Before you take the NCLEX, you'll need to apply for an Authorization to Test, in which your nursing regulatory body validates your eligibility for the exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, you'll be ready to start work as a licensed, registered nurse in your state. Nurses who live in a state that participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact will also be eligible to work in any other NLC state.
3. Get on-the-job experience
If you plan to apply for specialty certification, the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission requires applicants to have 2,000 hours of on-the-job experience. This can include work in a nephrology setting or caring for patients who need dialysis or the supervision and education of staff members who care for patients who need or may need dialysis.
Relevant on-the-job experience must be completed within two years of submitting an application for certification.
4. Complete continuing education requirements in nephrology
An RN looking to obtain certification as a dialysis nurse must also complete 20 hours of continuing education in nephrology nursing. All CE must be taken with an approved provider, which may include:
5. Get certified
After you've completed the prerequisites for certification, it's time to take the exam, which is given by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission. The test consists of 150 questions that must be answered within three hours. Applicants must answer at least 70% of the questions correctly to receive certification.
While not all employers require certification for dialysis nursing, becoming a CDN can set you apart, improving your marketability and setting you up for prime positions. It's also important to note that certified dialysis nurses must renew their certification every three years. Eligible nurses can choose to recertify through continuing education and work experience or by examination.
6. Explore travel nurse assignments
Congratulations! If you've completed the previous five steps, you're now a certified dialysis nurse, which means you're ready to embark on your first assignment as a travel nurse. Open up a world of career opportunities by visiting Travel Nursing's extensive database of jobs.