This session will discuss motivational interviewing, a powerful way to have conversations that help patients find their own motivation to change. The key techniques such as open-ended questions, rolling with resistance, and encouraging patients to express why they want to make a change will be reviewed.  Case studies that combine motivational interviewing with self-management skills will be discussed.

Previously: Mastering Time Management: Boosting Efficiency in a Busy Nephrology Clinic

Participants will learn how to prioritize clinical responsibilities, delegate effectively within multidisciplinary teams, and streamline routine processes. The session will explore how to schedule more efficient dialysis rounds, optimize workflow with limited tools, and protect time for personal well-being and job satisfaction.

Nephrology nursing is a highly specialized and uniquely challenging field that focuses on caring for patients with kidney-related health issues, including chronic kidney disease, dialysis treatment, and kidney transplantation. What sets nephrology nursing apart is the deep, ongoing relationship nurses often develop with their patients, many of whom require long-term, life-sustaining treatments like hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis multiple times per week.

In nephrology, where patients often face chronic, life-altering conditions, emotional intelligence is as vital as clinical expertise. This session explores how nephrology nurses and advanced practice providers can use emotional intelligence to elevate patient care, enhance preceptorship, and influence health policy.

This presentation will state the supply and distribution issues of supplies and medications used for persons with kidney disease.

This interactive, beginner-level session will empower nephrology nurses with the knowledge and confidence to step into the world of health policy and advocacy. Participants will learn how federal and state policies impact kidney care delivery, funding, and patient access, and explore how to engage effectively with policymakers.

Managing dietary phosphorus and potassium in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires balancing evidence-based restrictions with the patient’s nutritional needs and quality of life. This session will explore physiologic mechanisms contributing to hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia in CKD, while examining differences in bioavailability between natural and additive sources of potassium and phosphorus. Participants will learn about medications that contribute to phosphate burden, as well as those used in managing hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia. Practical strategies will be discussed to help clinicians guide patients in modifying their diets to maintain potassium and phosphate control while promoting greater dietary freedom and improved nutritional status.

Acid-base balance and chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) are core clinical concepts that can feel overwhelming for nurses new to nephrology. This session will provide a clear, practical introduction tailored to novice nurses working in dialysis units and CKD clinics.

Fluid management in patients with end-stage kidney disease is a critical and complex balancing act, especially in those with comorbidities, hemodynamic instability, or non-adherence challenges.  This session is designed for nurses seeking to refine their approach to individualized, data-driven fluid management in complex patient scenarios. Attendees will learn how to manage the nuances of dry weight assessment, blood pressure fluctuations, and intradialytic symptoms.

This session will provide a foundational overview of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Participants will learn the principles of PD, catheter types and placement, dialysate composition, and the differences between continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) and automated PD (APD). Emphasis will be placed on patient selection, education, infection prevention, and the nurse’s role in supporting self-management and early complication recognition. This session will equip nurses with the essential knowledge to provide safe, effective, and patient-centered PD care.

This powerful session will center on the voices of those who live with kidney disease every day. Through short patient-recorded stories, attendees will hear firsthand accounts of the challenges and triumphs experienced by individuals on dialysis, post-transplant, or living with chronic kidney disease. These narratives bring to life the emotional, physical, and financial realities that patients and their families face—from job loss and limited mobility to strained relationships and altered life goals.

Curiosity is the catalyst for clinical innovation. This dynamic session will explore how cultivating a spirit of inquiry lays the foundation for evidence-based practice in nephrology nursing. Participants will learn to transform everyday clinical questions into structured inquiries using the PICOT format, enabling the development of focused, relevant research questions that drive practice improvement. Attendees will leave empowered to initiate and lead practice change, grounded in curiosity and guided by evidence.

This session will address the critical need for greater awareness and preparation among nephrology nurses caring for veterans. It begins with an overview of military culture and its impact on long-term health, followed by a discussion of common physical and mental health issues affecting veterans. Presenters will share findings from a current, grant-funded national study examining nephrology nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and comfort in caring for veteran patients.

This session will provide a clear roadmap for developing and implementing successful quality improvement (QI), evidence-based practice (EBP), and research projects. Emphasis will be placed on building a strong team with clear roles and expectations for success. Nurses will gain practical tools to design meaningful projects while meeting regulatory requirements.