Nephrology nurses play an important part in assessing, diagnosing, educating, and treating patients who have developed or are at risk of developing kidney related problems. … For many patients in the later stages of kidney disease, dialysis is a necessary procedure for prolonging life. A nurse who performs dialysis on patients is known as a dialysis nurse. Unlike other sickness a dialysis nurse can spend 12-15 hours per week for over 20 years with a particular patient. This can create a close relationship between patient and health giver. In most islands there is a shortage of qualified dialysis nurses. Patient assessment often involves careful examination of the patient and his or her medical history. Nephrology nurses will often make the initial patient assessment, which typically entails performing a complete medical assessment and discussing symptoms with the patient. They may also assist with diagnostic procedures, such as internal imaging, as well as examine patients’ medical histories. These nursing professionals also help educate patients on a number of different areas. For instance, they may be called upon to help patients better understand their conditions and how they can manage them. These nurses may dole out advice to patients on everything from nutrition to treatment options and beyond. Nephrology nurses that specialize in dialysis will hook kidney patients up to dialysis machines, which artificially filter the blood. Patients with severe kidney disease may also require kidney transplants, which nephrology nurses might also assist with. Since some kidney diseases are brought on or exacerbated indirectly by other health problems, nephrology nurses must also be familiar with these health problems and may be required to treat them as well. Some of these health problems may include diabetes, high blood pressure, and substance abuse.