Learn how to make the most of your symposium experience. Get tips on navigating the program, completing the evaluation process, and maximizing networking opportunities.

Join your colleagues and view Everybody's Work: Healing What Hurts Us All, directed by Chand Tingle. This film examines the hidden disease plaguing healthcare in the United States: systemic racism. Through the lens of fearless nurses, this documentary not only exposes the biases that result in worse healthcare outcomes for people of color, but it captures the painful impact they have — both on patients and nurses. Light refreshments will be served.

In this interactive, clinical skills–driven session, dialysis nurses will refine their assessment techniques, learn to distinguish routine from emergent findings, and apply clinical judgment to escalate care appropriately.

This session will equip nephrology nurses with practical tools to cultivate leadership at all levels, build resilient teams, and implement strategies to enhance staff retention in dialysis units, clinics, and hospital settings. Participants will learn actionable approaches to foster a positive culture, reduce burnout, and support professional growth within their teams.

This session explores the vital role of water quality in ensuring patient safety and optimizing dialysis outcomes. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the dialysis water treatment system, including each component's purpose and function—from water source through final delivery. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of maintaining high water quality to prevent patient exposure to harmful contaminants.

Change is inevitable but must be structured and managed to produce the desired results.

This session explores the critical impact of hepatitis B on the dialysis population, with a focus on the inpatient setting. Learn how to protect patients and staff while maintaining compliance and continuity of care.

This session will explore dialysis management in advanced heart failure (HF) amid the flurry of innovation in heart support. HF treatment options, indications, evidence, and outcomes will be reviewed. Ventricular assist devices will be addressed as they impact kidney function and require changes to standard dialysis nursing care. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis in combination with advanced heart therapies will be discussed, including nursing implications, prescription adjustments, and access choice. Finally, education recommendations for facilities and providers will be reviewed.

This session will explore the critical clinical impact of missed or shortened dialysis treatments, including complications such as fluid overload, electrolyte imbalances, and increased risk of hospitalization. Participants will gain insight into the most common reasons patients miss dialysis—ranging from transportation issues to psychosocial barriers—and learn practical approaches to overcoming these challenges.

This session will explore how two emerging pharmacologic classes—SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists—are transforming care through synergistic cardio- and reno protective effects, before considering evolving guidelines, unmet needs, and next generation strategies in dialysis care.

Dialysis units are high-stress clinical environments where patients may experience anxiety, frustration, and emotional exhaustion. Participants will gain practical skills rooted in emotional intelligence to prevent and manage escaltion, enhance patient trust, and foster a more supportive care atmosphere.  

Attendees will deepen their understanding of the pharmacologic landscape—including the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, intravenous and oral iron, and emerging therapies—and learn how to apply these tools in dialysis, transplant, and conservative care settings. Special emphasis will be placed on managing anemia in unique populations such as those with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), patients receiving renal replacement therapies (RRTs), and individuals post kidney transplantation

This session will provide an overview of pediatric dialysis, focusing on unique challenges and considerations when treating pediatric patients.  The session will discuss the creation of a comprehensive interdisciplinary training and support program that fosters safe, quality, age-appropriate pediatric care in adult facilities.

Toxic workplace culture can undermine staff morale, collaboration, and patient care. This session will explore the impact of toxic behavior, including bullying, gossip, burnout, lack of support, and fear of retaliation. Poor communication, blame culture, and lack of psychological safety that can lead to staff turnover, disengagement, and compromised patient outcomes also will be discussed. Tips for shifting toward a culture of healing – where empathy, transparency, and accountability are prioritized – will be shared. Learn strategies to identify toxic patterns, speak up safely, and contribute to a healthier, more resilient work environment.

Healthcare — and nephrology nursing especially — can feel like an endless chase: chasing patient outcomes, shifting priorities, recognition from peers, or even just the hope of balance outside of work. But what if meaning isn’t something you chase, but something you create?

In this Keynote re-imagined, award-winning author and global speaker Justin Jones-Fosu will deliver a fully immersive, multi-sensory experience that blends story, reflection, and interaction. It’s not a lecture — it’s a journey.

Through the lens of his soon-to-be-released fable, Stop Chasing, Start Creating (the untold story of the race before the race of the tortoise and the hare) and the meaning journey model, Justin will invite nephrology nurses to:

• Stop chasing applause and start creating alignment with your values.
• Stop chasing busyness and start creating rhythm through intentional habits that sustain you.
• Stop chasing comfort and start creating resilience through challenges.

This keynote is not about adding more to your plate — it’s about reshaping how you see your plate. You’ll leave renewed, inspired, and equipped with practical rhythms to sustain meaningful work and meaningful living.

Meet with industry representatives and view displays of state-of-the-art technology, products, and services. Beverages and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Energize your day by starting off the morning with a jog, walk, or leisurely stroll with friends.

Contact hours are available for viewing poster displays in the exhibit hall. Presenters will be available to discuss their posters during designated times.

This panel discussion will open with a 2 ½ min video of the Baxter plant in North Cove, NC, after hurricane Helene decimated it on September 27, 2024.

Resistant hypertension is a common and challenging problem in nephrology practice, requiring systematic evaluation and targeted management to improve patient outcomes. This session will equip nephrology nurses with the knowledge and tools needed to define resistant hypertension accurately, perform an appropriate diagnostic work-up, and implement evidence-based pharmacologic treatment strategies. Attendees will gain practical insights for managing this complex condition in patients with chronic kidney disease and across nephrology care settings.

“Why is this patient on dialysis?” A survey was conducted to obtain nephrology nurse perspectives on factors associated with hemodialysis initiation. Using data from this survey of the ANNA membership in May 2025, researchers will compare current data to data from 25 and 10 years ago, and explore nurse moral distress.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare—offering powerful tools for diagnosis, documentation, decision support, and patient engagement. In nephrology nursing, AI holds particular promise for enhancing clinical accuracy, operational efficiency, and patient outcomes. This session will explore the current landscape, ethical frameworks, and legal safeguards essential for responsible AI integration in nephrology nursing practice.

This interactive workshop will help your team identify root causes and drive meaningful changes. Learn how to navigate the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services End-Stage Renal Disease and Quality Incentive Program metrics, bridge the gap between data and action, and build a strong quality improvement foundation using the Plan-Do-Study-Act model. Discover practical strategies to prioritize metrics without burnout and turn quality goals into sustainable results.

Adequacy in the United States is measured in Kt/V, yet no other country uses this measurement. Kt/V will be discussed and its inadequacies covered.  Additional markers of dialysis adequacy, such as volume management will be reviewed and ways to achieve and maintain optimal volume management, will be reviewed.

Unlock the full financial impact of your nephrology practice with confidence, accurate coding and billing. This session will provide nurse practitioners and physician assistants with practical, actionable strategies to align documentation with current E/M guidelines, optimize billing across office visits, dialysis, and acute care settings, and ensure practices capture appropriate reimbursement under Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services guidelines. Participants will leave equipped to enhance their financial contributions while supporting high-quality patient care in nephrology. 

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) care should vary from pediatrics to older adults. This session will equip nephrology nurses and nurse practitioners with a deeper understanding of CKD across the lifespan. From the unique needs of pediatric and adolescent patients to reproductive health considerations in women, and from midlife disease progression to geriatric syndromes and conservative care, age-specific strategies to enhance patient-centered care will be explored.

Apheresis is used to treat conditions such as glomerulonephritis, thrombotic microangiopathies, and transplant rejection. Nephrology nurses play a key role in patient assessment, vascular access management, monitoring during procedures, and providing education and support. Understanding the different apheresis techniques, indications, equipment, and safety protocols is essential for delivering safe, effective care. Collaboration with the multidisciplinary team ensures optimal outcomes and enhances patient safety.

This session is essential for healthcare professionals involved in transplantation, dialysis care, and organ donation advocacy who seek to enhance patient outcomes and navigate the complexities of transplant eligibility and donor evaluation.

Box lunch available for all registrants and exhibitors.

For patients starting peritoneal dialysis who have urine output, initiating with a full dose prescription is no longer advised. An incremental prescription considers clearance achieved via residual renal function, then adds enough dialysis to achieve adequacy.  Benefits, patient management, and transitioning to full therapy when needed will be discussed. 

Staying current with nephrology pharmacotherapy is essential for APRNs and RNs to provide safe, effective care while avoiding medication-related errors. This session will review key medications relevant to nephrology practice, including SGLT2 inhibitors, finerenone, newer phosphate binders, IV iron formulations, patiromer, sodium zirconium cyclosilicate, HIF-PHIs, and GLP-1 receptor agonists. Focus will be placed on practical applications in CKD, dialysis, and transplant care, emphasizing dosing adjustments, side effects, drug-drug interactions, and monitoring strategies to enhance prescribing confidence and prevent common medication errors in nephrology practice.

Proteinuria and hematuria are frequent realities in nephrology patients, making it essential that nephrology nurses have a solid understanding of the clinical significance of each finding.

Palliative care improves quality of life for patients with kidney disease by addressing symptoms, supporting decision-making, and enhancing holistic care. This session will help nephrology nurses understand the principles of palliative care, recognize when to initiate supportive services, and collaborate effectively to meet patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

A Dialysis Support Community for Patients and Caregivers is a welcoming space dedicated to sharing knowledge, encouragement, and connection. This community brings together individuals living with dialysis and those who care for them—offering emotional support, practical advice, and resources to navigate daily life with kidney disease. Whether you are newly diagnosed, adjusting to treatment, or supporting a loved one, this group provides a platform to ask questions, share experiences, and find strength in a shared journey. Together, we create a compassionate environment where no one feels alone in facing the challenges of dialysis

The Mishawaka model for home training units is built upon Jean Watson’s theory of human caring. This session will review the basic tenets of human caring, how they have implemented this theory as the core of their program, and the impact on nurses and patient outcomes.

This session will provide an inside look at the diverse roles of nephrology nurse practitioners across chronic kidney disease clinics, dialysis units, and inpatient hospital settings. Attendees will gain insight into typical workflows, patient care priorities, and how nephrology nurse practitioners (NPs) contribute to quality kidney care across the continuum.

This session will offer nephrology nurses a timely and comprehensive update on groundbreaking developments in xenotransplantation, highlighting recent clinical breakthroughs and future possibilities for addressing the organ shortage. It also will cover key updates in living kidney donations, including innovative donor matching programs and best practices for donor care.

This session will provide an in-depth review of the most recent updates to the KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) clinical practice guidelines, focusing on evidence-based recommendations in the management of kidney disease. Participants will explore key changes across areas such as chronic kidney disease, hypertension, anemia, and mineral and bone disorders.

This session will provide a comprehensive overview of dialysis membrane types and blood purification therapies, highlighting their roles in removing toxins and managing complex clinical conditions. Participants will explore the characteristics and clinical applications of advanced technologies, including medium cut-off dialyzers for enhanced clearance of middle molecules, biofunctional membranes for improved biocompatibility and inflammatory control, and sepsis filters used in critical care settings. Emphasis will be placed on the nursing perspective, with practical guidance on device setup, patient monitoring, interdisciplinary teamwork, and patient education to ensure safe and effective treatment. The session will examine key research findings, such as the CONVINCE trial, and emerging trends in nephrology nursing, empowering nurses to apply evidence-based practices and stay current in this evolving field.

Enjoy an evening of music, dancing, and light refreshments with friends and colleagues at the symposium dance party. 

Pending Corporate Sponsor

Nephrology nurses—both registered nurses and advanced practice providers—face legal risk not only as individuals but also through association with their employers. In many malpractice cases, nurses are named directly or drawn into litigation because they were involved in a patient's care during a key event. Moreover, dialysis providers are not always protected by malpractice caps in certain states, making them and the nurses they employ more attractive legal targets. Understanding this exposure is essential for legal preparedness.

This session will cover how compassion fatigue arises from emotional residue of patient care. Burnout stems from systemic stress: workload, lack of control, moral distress. Nephrology nurses experience both. Trauma-informed care and self-care practices support nephrology nurses. 

Vascular access is a lifeline for patients on dialysis, yet it demands vigilant care, early detection, and coordinated management to prevent complications. Session participants will deepen their understanding of access types, learn how to recognize and manage complications early, and how to implement best practices through education, maintenance, and multidisciplinary collaboration. The session will conclude with a forward-looking view on innovation in vascular care.

This session will enhance understanding of the essential components involved in water treatment and dialysate preparation for hemodialysis. Participants will explore the critical importance of adhering to maximum standards to ensure patient safety, especially when performing hemodiafiltration, which carries increased risks if water or dialysate quality is compromised. Through practical insights, participants will learn to identify “drift” — deviations from established policies and procedures — within your practice setting.

Network with friends and celebrate the professional accomplishments of colleagues as the ANNA Outstanding Achievement Award winners are announced. The luncheon also will include the annual ANNA business meeting, induction of the 2026-2027 Board of Directors, and a message from incoming ANNA President Michelle Gilliland.

In this workshop, Nephrology Nursing Journal Editor-in-Chief Beth Ulrich reviews the manuscript development, peer review, and publication processes and NNJ Editorial Board members provide tips for developing a plan for writing and submitting a manuscript for publication.

This session will equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to support patients with chronic kidney disease who choose dialysis as their treatment modality. Emphasis will be placed on the nephrology nurse’s role in creating an optimal ESKD Life Plan and ensuring timely, effective dialysis access. Participants will explore access types, placement techniques, monitoring and intervention to prevent and manage complications.

Acid-base balance is a cornerstone of homeostasis. Its disturbance in chronic kidney disease contributes not just to biochemical abnormalities but to real-world morbidity, including bone disease, muscle wasting, and accelerated renal decline. Session participants will explore the physiology of acid-base regulation, understand how CKD disrupts this equilibrium, and learn the clinical strategies to diagnose, manage, and monitor metabolic acidosis in CKD—from standard alkali therapies to emerging dietary and pharmacologic innovations.

Transitioning into nephrology as a nurse practitioner requires shifting into the advanced practice role of independently assessing, diagnosing, managing, and treating patients with kidney disease. This session will provide a high-yield, practical overview of how NPs practice across CKD management, dialysis care, and hospital nephrology, emphasizing clinical reasoning, medication management, and patient-centered care. For NPs transitioning from dialysis RN roles, the session will clarify how responsibilities expand from executing care plans to developing them. For experienced NPs, it will offer strategies to refine nephrology practice and align with current evidence to improve patient outcomes.

Sodium balance plays a pivotal role in dialysis patient health—yet sodium disorders are common, often overlooked, and linked to significant complications. In “Salt Swings and Fluid Shifts,” we’ll explore the physiology of sodium in dialysis, dissect both hyponatremia and hypernatremia, examine how dialysate sodium prescription influences fluid and osmotic balance, and outline preventative monitoring strategies. Participants will leave with actionable insights for personalized dialysate prescription and patient education to safeguard against the dangers of sodium imbalances.

Kidney stones are a common and painful condition that can recur without proper management. This session will provide nephrology nurses with an overview of kidney stone types, prevention strategies, and treatment options, along with practical tools for educating patients on lifestyle changes to reduce recurrence risk.

Perimenopause and menopause can significantly affect women with chronic kidney disease, impacting symptom burden, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being. This session will help nephrology nurses recognize menopausal symptoms, understand how hormonal changes interact with kidney disease, and apply supportive care strategies to improve patient quality of life during this life stage.

In the session, the speakers will be presenting a groundbreaking approach to learning that focuses on highlighting the impact of structural inequities on an individual's experience with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and their treatment decisions. By using this innovative learning method, the presenters aim to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the specific challenges encountered by individuals with CKD. Furthermore, the objective is to develop a comprehensive learning strategy that can be adopted by ANNA chapters to effectively meet their educational objectives.

In this session, participants will receive updates on the latest health policies that directly affect nephrology nursing. These expert speakers will discuss legislative and regulatory policies that can significantly impact different aspects of nursing practice, education, and patient care in the field of kidney disease. By attending this session, participants will gain valuable insights into important developments that are crucial for the nursing profession in kidney care and the overall well-being of patients.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform healthcare, nephrology nursing stands at the forefront of this technological evolution. From predictive analytics to decision support tools and patient monitoring systems, AI offers opportunities to improve patient outcomes, streamline workflows, and reduce preventable complications in renal care. This session will explore current and emerging uses of AI in nephrology nursing, highlights practical applications, and addresses ethical, legal, and professional implications. Nephrology nurses will gain insights into how AI can complement clinical judgment, optimize dialysis care, and personalize treatment plans—all while maintaining human-centered, evidence-based practice.

This session will explore the evolving landscape of chronic kidney disease (CKD) management in light of emerging therapies and comorbid conditions. This session will examine how GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic®, are influencing kidney outcomes and metabolic health. Attention will be given to the role of obstructive sleep apnea and gut dysbiosis as underrecognized yet significant contributors to CKD progression. Using an interdisciplinary lens, current evidence, pathophysiologic mechanisms, and implications for early detection, patient education, and personalized care strategies will be reviewed. Attendees will gain insights into integrating novel therapies and comorbidity management into routine nephrology practice.