Nephrology nurse-patient relationships in the outpatient dialysis setting

A qualitative examination of the beliefs and experiences of nephrology nurses was conducted by interviewing 22 nurses in dialysis units. The interviews were transcribed and content analysis of the transcripts was conducted. Seven propositions are reported: (a) The relationship between nephrology nurses and nephrology patients, in some ways, is similar to a psychotherapeutic patient/therapist relationship; (b) End-of-life decisions are conducted within the matrixes of ongoing relationships; (c) What draws nurses to nephrology practice is different from what keeps them in nephrology practice; (d) Nephrology nurses are engaged in ongoing learning at both a technical and interpersonal level; (e) Both internal and external support systems aid the mental health of nephrology nurses; (f) Nephrology nurses see their professional experiences as unique; and (g) Nephrology nurses see themselves as different from their colleagues. These findings, if supported by further research, have important implications for recruiting, training, and supporting nephrology nurses.