‘Nephrology Nurses Week’ to Spotlight Nurses’ Life-Saving Work
The American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA) has designated September 14–20, 2008, as “Nephrology Nurses Week” to encourage employers, patients, and others to thank the nurses who work tirelessly to save kidney patients’ lives and improve care.
The event will be celebrated nationwide with activities recognizing and rewarding nephrology nurses who care for patients with kidney disease. According to ANNA, the theme for the week — “We Carry the Torch” — symbolizes “the light of hope and safety that nephrology nurses foster for their patients.”
Nephrology nurses care for patients of all ages who have, or are at risk for, kidney disease.
This will be the fourth year for the weeklong celebration, which ANNA launched so those who work with or receive care from nephrology nurses could show their appreciation. As in previous years, activities will include special events, luncheons, education programs, special presentations and proclamations from local governments.
In addition to appreciating nurses with events in their honor, ANNA promotes the event to spark interest in other nurses about the multifaceted career opportunities available in nephrology. About 20 million Americans suffer from kidney disease. Of those patients, more than 400,000 experience kidney failure. The rising number of people with kidney disease is in part attributed to the country’s obesity epidemic, an alarming trend that has led to more cases of diabetes and high blood pressure. These diseases are the leading causes of kidney failure.
More information is available at www.annanurse.org .