American Nephrology Nurses Association Certification
Registered nursing is the largest employment sector of the health care industry in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nephrology nursing is a specialty of registered nursing that focuses on the care of patients who suffer from kidney disease. The American Nephrology Nurses' Association recognizes several credentials for nephrology nurses that were developed and implemented by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission.
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Function
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Nephrology nursing is a wide and varied practice that encompasses a number of subspecialties, including hemodialysis nursing, peritoneal dialysis nursing, organ recovery nursing, transplant coordination, research and education. Kidney disease affects every organ in the body and can afflict patients of all ages. Nephrology nurses must maintain a broad nursing knowledge base to provide proper care for patients who may range from the very young to the very old. Credentialing for nephrology nurses is typically voluntary, although it may be required by some employers.
Types
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The ANNA recognizes four credentials. The certified nephrology nurse credential is available to registered nurses who work as nephrology nurses. The certified nephrology nurse-nurse practitioner credential is limited to nurse practitioners who work as nephrology nurses. The certified dialysis nurse credential is available to registered nurses who work with dialysis patients. The certified clinical hemodialysis technician is available to patient care technicians who are typically not registered nurses but work with hemodialysis patients.
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Education
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Candidates for the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician credential must hold a high school diploma or educational equivalent. The NNCC recommends candidates for the CCHT credential have at least 1,000 hours of training prior to taking the credentialing exam. Candidates for the certified dialysis nurse credential must be registered nurses and have completed at least 15 hours of continuing nephrology nursing education within the previous two years. Candidates for the certified nephrology nurse credential must hold at least a bachelor's degree in nursing. Candidates for the certified nephrology nurse-nurse practitioner credential must hold a master's degree in nursing.
Benefits
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Credentialing provides formal recognition of the nurse's specialized skill, experience and knowledge in the field of nephrology nursing. It is provided by an independent, private, professional nursing organization and should not be confused with licensing, which is provided by the state government. Benefits of credentialing include an improvement in public confidence, improved patient care and preference during the hiring or promotion process, according to the American Board of Nursing Specialties.
Considerations
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The employment outlook for registered nurses in all specialty fields, including nephrology nursing, is positive. According to the BLS, job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to expand by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018. Most the jobs will be created in private doctor's offices, home health care companies and nursing care facilities. Registered nurses earned a median income of approximately $62,450 as of May 2008, according to the BLS.
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