By Kasia Michalik
Each year more Americans are being diagnosed with some type of kidney disease and the nephrology aspect of nursing is and has been a growing field for decades. Even in this economy, the field continues to grow. Although the growth is there, a huge shortage of nurses due to the upcoming Baby Boomers getting ready to retire, and lack of programs around the country. The need for great nurses in all fields is still there.1
New registered nurses (RNs) are needed in all different fields, especially nephrology due to the rapid increase in chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Those who step into the nursing world do it for security as well as the desire to help those around them. They choose this career path, get their degree, pass all required exams and run with it. As time goes by, some realize that the daily life on the job, that typical 40-hour week, can become monotonous and the itch to change begins.
Everyone has the ability to learn, grow and improve on what they already know, all it takes is a little extra work, some determination and a support system. Opportunities in the nursing field await and are knocking at the door, you just have to go take the risk and open it.
First Steps
Nursing school is behind you. Your RN degree from an accredited nursing program is in your hands. You received an associate degree in nursing (ADN), a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN) or a nursing diploma, which is still offered through some hospital-based nursing schools around the country. You took the dreaded National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) and passed, now what?
You’ve considered a career “upgrade” but there are so many options. You can transition into the nephrology world, you can go back to school and get a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree and focus on the managerial aspect of medicine, or advance yourself in the clinical aspect and go for a Nursing Practitioner (NP) degree. Maybe you want to get into education or research. With so many options questions always occur of what is best for me?
