Every Nurse, Every Patient: A Guided Pathway for Building Haemodialysis Nursing Competency

Ms PIP O’REILLY¹, Ms HELEN GAMMELL¹, MS DEIRDRE MCATEER¹, MS NINA WATSON¹, MS GEMMA LAWFORD¹

¹ACT AND SOUTHERN NSW RENAL NETWORK, SOUTHERN NSW LHD, Australia

Biography:

Pip O’Reilly is a dedicated leader in renal care, committed to improving patient experiences and advancing kidney health across regional communities. With expertise in education and home therapies, Pip champions a culture of teaching, learning, and workforce development. Her work reflects a belief that collaboration and knowledge-sharing are essential for building resilient teams and enhancing outcomes for people living with kidney disease. Holding a Master of Clinical Nursing and qualifications in Renal Nursing, Critical Care, and Midwifery, Pip’s strong interest in sustainability and health promotion drives her to deliver accessible, patient-centred solutions that empower individuals and strengthen health systems.

Abstract:

Developing a confident, capable renal nursing workforce is essential to delivering safe, patient centred care across the continuum of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The SNSWLHD Renal Coloured Steps Learning Pathway was designed to inspire and enable nurses through a structured, self directed, and competency based development model grounded in Benner’s Novice to Expert framework.

The pathway provides a standardised approach for novice haemodialysis nurses entering the specialty, guiding learning through five progressive competency levels. It integrates self assessment, reflective practice, demonstration of skill, supervised practice, and formal Clinical Skills Assessments (CSA). Alignment with the NSW Health Performance and Talent (PAT) system ensures learning goals are visible, measurable, and embedded within annual Performance Development Reviews (PDR). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) supports inclusivity by acknowledging previous experience and reducing unnecessary duplication of training.

Nurses are supported to arrange demonstrations, complete knowledge modules, and practice skills under supervision until confident for assessment. The pathway promotes shared responsibility for learning among Registered Nurses, Clinical Nurse Educators, Nurse Unit Managers, and Clinical Nurse Consultants, ensuring accountability and safety.

By providing clear expectations, structured guidance, and transparent progression, the Renal Coloured Steps Learning Pathway equips nurses with the knowledge, skills, and professional identity required to care for patients of increasing complexity across CKD, dialysis, transplant and renal supportive care settings—amplifying every nurse’s voice and improving outcomes for every patient.