THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL TRAINING OF NURSES WORKING IN THE DIALISIS TREATMENT FIELD

According to the EU health strategy “Together for Health: A Strategic Approach for the EU”, health care specialists have a crucial role in maintaining the proper function of the entire health care system. Today, the education system gives health care specialists the opportunity to develop in different professional fields. Nursing care for patients undergoing renal replacement therapy is specific and requires that nurses have excellent theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of nephrology and the extra-renal blood purification methods, and be qualified to administer intensive and specialized procedures. The goal of this research is to study the necessity for nurses working in dialysis facilities attaining additional knowledge and skills on dialysis treatment in this specific field. Materials and methods:  For the purposes of this research, 78 nurses working in dialysis facilities in Northwest Bulgaria participated in a survey, which was conducted by distributing a self-developed anonymous questionnaire in the 2020-2022 period. Results: The activity of the nurses caring for dialysis treatment patients is different from the activity in other health care facilities. Conclusion: Dialysis treatment requires that health care professionals have specific knowledge and skills. Currently, it is a fact that this discipline is not being taught in higher education institutions. The research detected a need for additional training in the renal replacement therapy field.