The Development and Implementation of a New Graduate Registered Nurse Nephrology Nurse Residency Program in Acute Hemodialysis.

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.

Blood Glucose Levels of Patients With Diabetes in the Immediate Post-Acute Hemodialysis Period: An Exploratory Study.

UNLABELLED: PROBLEM/PURPOSE: To establish the evidence on which to base a protocol for monitoring capillary blood glucose in hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus in the immediate post-acute hemodialysis period. SAMPLE: Hospitalized, non-critically ill, adult patients (n = 68) with diabetes undergoing acute hemodialysis treatments. METHODS: Capillary blood glucose was tested 30 minutes prior to the end of the hemodialysis treatment, at the end of the treatment, and 30 minutes and 60 minutes post-treatment. Data were analyzed to determine both within and between patient variability. RESULTS: Glucose levels varied widely before, during, and after hemodialysis, with greatest variability at 60 minutes post-hemodialysis. Levels did not vary based on diabetes type or admitting diagnosis. Possible relationships were identified with length of treatment, insulin administration prior to treatment, and food consumed within an hour after treatment. CONCLUSIONS/NURSING IMPLICATIONS: Testing post-dialysis glucose levels earlier than 60 minutes post-treatment may miss the need for additional medication.