Dialysis nursing provides continuity of care
“One of the great things about dialysis nursing is that we have the privilege of connecting with patients and their families on a deeper level. By meeting three times a week, we build relationships and build trust. ” – Tanya Blatz, BTHC, Dialysis Unit, Clinical. resource nurse
As a young woman, Tanya Bratz considered a variety of careers, but her top choices included being a nutritionist, a teacher, or a nurse like her mother. She didn't know it at the time, but years later, Ms. Blatz would discover that her work included all of these roles.
The role of a dialysis nurse includes nursing care, educating patients about kidney conditions and treatments, and providing extensive guidance regarding the strict and complex dietary requirements of dialysis patients, commonly known as the “dialysis diet.”
Dialysis nursing was a perfect fit for Bratz. For the past seven years, she has worked as the clinical resource nurse for the dialysis unit at Boundary Trails Health Center (BTHC), supervising the unit's staff and serving as the health center's medical hub. Dialysis patient.
“I arrange professional appointments for patients, attend weekly nephrology rounds, collaborate with other members of the medical team such as social workers, pharmacists, nutritionists, and even dialysis I do everything related to this unit, including troubleshooting when the equipment breaks down,” Blatz said. “I have a wide range of work in this role and I absolutely love it.”
In addition to the variety of the job, being able to care for the same patients week after week for many years is extremely rewarding for Blatz and his colleagues. This ongoing care also helps improve health outcomes by allowing staff to regularly monitor patients and notice changes in their health sooner.
“One of the great things about dialysis nursing is that you have the privilege of connecting with patients and their families on a deeper level,” Bratz said. “Meeting three times a week allows us to build relationships, build trust, provide more comprehensive care, and often find problems sooner and find solutions to medical problems faster.” I can.”
BTHC has the capacity to serve up to 34 dialysis patients each week, with patients coming from all over the Southern Health-Santé-Sud region, including nearby towns such as Morden and Winkler, and further afield, such as the Roseau River Reserve and Saint-Jean. They come to town and to the health center. Baptiste.
Historically, nurses interested in applying to dialysis courses to become dialysis nurses needed a minimum of five years of nursing experience in other areas, such as long-term care or acute care. This requirement was due to the complex nature of providing care to dialysis patients.
“A patient's heart affects dialysis treatment, acute problems, infections and chronic diseases affect dialysis treatment, and diet and levels of various minerals all affect dialysis treatment,” Bratz said. “This job requires you to troubleshoot, problem solve, and think critically. These skills are strengthened with experience.”
Now, that five-year minimum requirement has been removed and new nurses can now apply for a dialysis course. Bratz recommends dialysis nursing to students or existing nurses seeking a broader nursing career. “I didn't learn about this role until many years into the workforce, and I wish I had learned about it sooner,” says Blatz. “When educators ask me to bring in students, I never say no, because there are people in the crowd who think, 'Hey, this looks really interesting,' and who want a career in dialysis nursing.” Because it might.”
This year's Nursing Week runs from May 6 to 12 and is a time to recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions that nurses make to healthcare teams and service delivery across the state.
