New graduate registered nurses (NGRNs) can become competent in providing acute care hemodialysis for complex medical and critically ill patients. As the renal patient population grows, nephrology nursing will need RNs prepared to provide high-quality, patient-centered care through evidence-based practice. This article describes the successful development and implementation of a comprehensive Nephrology Nurse Residency Program at Emory University Hospital. Utilizing Benner's Novice to Expert theory, this project evaluated providing NGRNs with the essential residency experiences to become nephrology nurses who are competent in the provision of acute care hemodialysis, with the ability to care for medically complex and critically ill patients. It is recommended that this program be offered at health care institutions that provide acute dialysis services.
Keywords: acute; dialysis; nephrology resident; new graduate; residency.
Copyright© by the American Nephrology Nurses Association.