Republic of the Philippines
M ountain P rovince S tate P olytechnic College
Bontoc, Mountain Province
Department of Nursing
Exploring the Experience of Dialysis Nurse at Mountain Province
A research presented to Nursing Faculty of the Mountain Province State Polytechnique College.
In partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Nursing Research 1
By
GROUP 17-1E
AYAN, JULIE ANN E.
ADIWANG, RITA JOY O.
BALLA-AO, AZRA LEIGH
CASALDO, KLAIN FAITH P.
COGAID, ELLEN V.
GASMENA, GERALF F.
GEORGINA MASKAY
Instructor
2023
Republic of the Philippines
M ountain P rovince S tate P olytechnic College
Bontoc, Mountain Province
Department of Nursing
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Dialysis nurses are responsible for monitoring patients through out their dialysis treatment and
reporting any changes to medical team. Despite primarily working with dialysis patients, they
specialize in patients with all kidney-related medical problems.(nurse.org)
Dialysis nurses play a critical role in improving the quality of life for patients with end-stage renal
disease (ESRD). These health care professionals provide continuous care and support to patients
undergoing dialysis treatment, which involves the removal of waste products and excess fluid from
the blood. The live experience of dialysis nurses involves various challenges and rewards, as evident
from the related literature.
“The nurse in a dialysis setting is like a quarterback,” Pryor explained. “It becomes almost a family
environment, and you [the nurse] play a big part in making sure the patient is okay. That is exciting
and rewarding to me.” Dialysis nurses are constantly educating patients and families about the
disease and how to manage at home, including medications and meals. Dialysis nurses tend to form
bonds with their patients and families. “Due to the chronicity of kidney disease, working with renal
patients allows the nurse to form a long-lasting bond with the patient, often working with the patient
and family from pre-dialysis to dialysis, transplant, and in some cases, palliative care,” Houle
continued. More than half of the members of the American Nephrology Nurses Association work in
chronic hemodialysis settings, 34 percent in acute settings and 22 percent in peritoneal dialysis, per
American Nephrology Nurses Association.
Moreover, Dialysis Nurses according to study must possesses the quality empathy and compassion,
emotional strength and stability, communication skills, respect and attention to details to be able to
interact with the patients with regards their condition and render quality care.
Dialysis nurses often face emotional and psychological challenges while caring for patients on a long-
term basis. One study by Akgul and Calik (2018) reported that these health-care professionals often
deal with the emotional burden of witnessing their patients' suffering and deteriorating health.In
addition to the emotional challenges, dialysis nurses also encounter numerous technical and
procedural complexities during their daily practice. These nurses are responsible for operating highly
technical dialysis equipment, monitoring patients' vital signs, and assessing potential complications. A
study by Yang, Lee, and Lai (2020) highlighted the importance of continuous training and education
for dialysis nurses to enhance their technical skills and ensure the safety and well-being of patients
emphasizing the need for ongoing support and training programs to address the complex nature of
dialysis care.
According to Edric,ahemodialysis nurse working in one of the NHS trusts in london,"Being a
haemodialysis nurse gives you the power not just to execute the dialysis plan but also to influence it.
We work together with doctors—we, nurses, are not solely reliant on what they will say. Doctors
would ask for our inputs—it is not just because of our knowledge of the patient’s history and situation
but also because of our technical knowledge on the machines. I can say that we are deemed as one
of the “experts/specialists” in this area. This makes me feel empowered in my role as a haemodialysis
nurse."
Despite the challenges faced, professionals have the opportunity to positively impact their patients'
lives and develop strong therapeutic relationships. A study conducted by Hsieh et al. (2020) identified
several sources of professional satisfaction and perceived their role as meaningful and fulfilling when
they witnessed improvements in patients' health and well-being as it emphasized the importance of
recognizing and celebrating small victories in the dialysis setting to promote job satisfaction and
prevent burnout among nurses.
Republic of the Philippines
M ountain P rovince S tate P olytechnic College
Bontoc, Mountain Province
Department of Nursing
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study shed light on the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of their work. It is crucial
to understand the challenges, stressors, and experiences that nurses encounter to enhance their
well-being and prevent burnout. By studying their experiences, strategies and support systems can
be put in place to promote self-care, reduce burnout, and retain these highly skilled professionals in
the workforce that can contribute to the development of educational curricula and training programs.
Moreover, understanding their encounters, coping mechanisms, and approaches to patient care can
help educators and trainers prepare future nurses for the unique challenges they may face in the
dialysis setting. This can ensure that nursing students are well-prepared and provide high-quality care
to dialysis patients right from the start of their careers.
PHILISOPHICAL UNDERPINNING
The theoretical research that influence this research was Watson’s Human Caring Theory.This theory
emphasizes the importance of knowledge, skills, and expertise that encompass holism, empathy,
communication, clinical competence, technical proficiency, and interpersonal skills to potentiate
therapeutic healing processes and relationships (Nelson & Watson, 2011). These are substantiated
into the 10 Caritas Processes or behaviors by which nurses in a caring role must be able to perform
(Watson, 2006). In the context of dialysis nursing, this theory can guide the nurse’s approach to
building therapeutic relationships with patient undergoing a difficult and often intrusive treatment.
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
This study aims to define lived experiences and perceptions of dialysis nurses of Mountain Province in
providing care to patients undergoing dialysis treatment.
Republic of the Philippines
M ountain P rovince S tate P olytechnic College
Bontoc, Mountain Province
Department of Nursing
