So you’ve finished your nursing degree, or maybe you already have several years of experience under your belt, and you are looking to advance your career.  One of the best ways to do that is to become a specialized nurse. There are many different specializations open to RNs.  Dialysis can be a great direction to take your nursing career.  Here are five reasons why.

1. Dialysis nurses are in high demand.

There is a nationwide shortage of nurses. However, the demand is especially high for specialized nurses.  Hospitals are looking for nurses with higher education and specific skills. The U.S. population is aging, and more older people means more need for healthcare providers.  As the rate of kidney diseases is increasing, the need for dialysis nurses is growing as well. According to the National Kidney Foundation, as many as one in three Americans are at risk of developing chronic kidney disease.  Now is a great time to see if this is the specialty for you.

2. Dialysis is life-saving and effective.

What is dialysis?  Put simply, it uses technology to do the work of kidneys.  It filters excess water and toxins from the blood. Dialysis is used to treat patients with kidney stones, kidney transplants, chronic kidney disease, and end-stage renal disease.  Without it, some of these illnesses can be fatal.

Many of the diseases dialysis is needed for are chronic. They require patients to get treatment three or four times a week. Therefore, dialysis nurses get to form close relationships with their patients.  This helps make this nursing a rewarding career.  Even if you are a travel nurse, you will still you know are improving the quality of your patients’ daily lives through your work.

3. Dialysis nurses are paid well.

One of the top reasons that dialysis nursing pays off is that it literally pays.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average dialysis nurse makes between $44,000 and $95,000 per year.  Of course, this range is so wide because it includes a variety of states and levels of expertise. Many healthcare facilities offer high salaries and great benefits to attract and keep nurses.  These can include everything from auto allowances to 401K plans to housing stipends. The longer you work in dialysis and increase your expertise, the more your salary will grow.

4. Work with the newest technology.

Rapidly changing technology is affecting a wide range of industries from marketing to education.  Nursing is being impacted as well. As technology progresses, dialysis treatment gets better. Dialysis nurses get to learn about and work with the most advanced technology in their field.  This is a great opportunity for growth not only in meeting patients’ needs but also professionally for the nurses. Speaking of professional development…

5. Opportunities for professional development.

As you have probably already figured out, healthcare facilities love dialysis nurses.  Because of this, they often invest in more training and development for their nurses. Nurses are eligible for outstanding performance awards, promotion to higher-level positions, and increased salaries over time.  Of course, all of these things depend on each nurse’s education, commitment, and personal growth, but dialysis nursing, in general, offers many opportunities for career advancement.

Sound like the job for you?

Are you interested in becoming a dialysis nurse?  New Directions Staffing Services can find your first job.  We help people get to travel, temporary-to-hire, and full-time work in both clinical and administrative jobs within the healthcare industry.  Once you’ve completed your training, call (888) 654-1110 or contact us through our website so we can help you find the perfect position.