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Each nurse’s path to entering the field is unique – no two nurses share the exact string of experiences, influences, or circumstances that first sparked their desire to help patients. For me, an unexpected kidney failure diagnosis as a 25-year-old mother of two quickly determined the career path I would take.

After five years of managing my end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with life-sustaining dialysis treatments, I received a kidney transplant. One year later, I returned to school to become a dialysis nurse to serve others like me who are living with kidney failure.

Long Days and Nights Shape Dialysis Nurse’s Career

I was fortunate to have been accepted to Ohio University’s nursing program in 2014. I remember receiving the tools to immerse myself in all areas of nursing so that students like me had the freedom to find their niche. I was constantly learning and moving forward, and I loved that! But, it wasn’t always easy with anything worth the effort. Many long days and nights – and tears – ultimately shaped my future.

I’ve served as a dialysis nurse for Fresenius Kidney Care for the past four years. I spend my days caring for those who receive home dialysis – from training patients to feel comfortable and confident enough to dialyze on their own or with the help of a trusted caretaker to checking labs and monitoring patients’ vitals three times daily in the clinic.

I recently reached a milestone in my career, leading a local transitional care unit program at my dialysis center. It supports patients with training and education to successfully take their treatment home when they only know the in-center environment. Having the opportunity to combine my passion for nursing and teaching has been an amazing reward.

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Nurse of the Week: Dialysis Nurse Maureen Moore Understands Kidney Failure Firsthand

Favorite Part About Being a Dialysis Nurse

My favorite part of my job is helping patients find ways to make dialysis work.

So often, patients come to the center for the first time because they’re scared or angry at their situation or confused by all the treatment lingo and options. As someone who has experienced their circumstances and emotions firsthand, I am grateful to have dedicated time to sit down with them to discuss their concerns openly and answer their questions.

That also helps me build one-on-one relationships with my patients and gain their trust, which can be a game changer. So many have told me I give them hope, and just hearing that confirms that I chose the right career.

To this day, I can’t imagine doing anything else. Being a nurse is who I am. To those who aspire to have careers in nursing and are still deciding on a specialty: I encourage you to find what sets your soul on fire because once you’ve found that, everything else clicks into place.

Are you interested in becoming a dialysis nurse?  Check out our nursing showcase to explore the latest online and campus-based nursing programs. Browse by state or degree options, and contact schools directly.

Renee Hewitt
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