Chronic Kidney Disease is affecting an increasing number of adults in Australia. Diabetes now accounts for one of the major causes of kidney disease. The increasing incidence of kidney disease is leading to a greater demand for dialysis spaces and at the same time increasing the waiting time and need for kidney transplantation.

Nephrology Nurses play a vital role in the care of patients with chronic kidney disease. Nurses in the renal specialty are influential in increasing awareness programs, and play a vital role in all areas of dialysis and transplantation nursing both in the metropolitan and rural settings.

What are the current best practice options we can offer in Australia & New Zealand in relation to managing kidney disease? What is the best way to ensure the general population receives sufficient information to increase their awareness of chronic kidney disease? As renal nurses we continue to play a central role in the care and support of patients with renal failure. The most important nursing strategies identified in order to manage chronic kidney disease are encouragement and support, lifestyle advice, measurement and monitoring of risk factors, treatment regime information, family support and health education. Nursing interventions based on self-management promotion can provide a new and promising approach to achieve risk reduction among renal patients in all ESRD stages.