Nurses who wish to specialize in dialysis care must be certified as registered nurses (RNs) or advanced practice nurses.
To become an RN, candidates must earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. Training takes two to four years and includes hands-on work in many areas of nursing. In addition to their core coursework, aspiring dialysis nurses should build their knowledge base through courses in nephrology, pharmacology and nutrition. They should also gain as much clinical experience as possible caring for dialysis patients.
To become an advanced practice nurse, RNs must first earn a bachelor’s degree. They then complete two to five years of additional study to earn a master’s degree or doctorate in nursing.
When enrolling in a nursing school, it’s important to choose an accredited program. Both the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing offer searchable program directories on their websites.