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Goal: To increase awareness of the nephrology nurses' need to be cognizant of the issues surrounding end-of-life decisions to be made for those requiring hemodialysis.

Objectives:

Outline the history of nephrology clinical guidelines and position statements relating to the end-of-life care in regards to the use of hemodialysis.
Relate the need for a shared decision making effort between healthcare workers, patients, and families to be used when discussing end-of-life care.
Recommend strategies to increase awareness of nephrology nurses to their role in supporting nephrology patients and families struggling with end-of-life care decisions involving hemodialysis use.

Note: The authors reported no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this continuing nursing education article.

Christy A. Price

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