Innovative renal nursing course helping patients in Abu Dhabi


We may have been melting in the heat during the graduations heatwave – but it was nothing to graduates flying in to Leicester from Abu Dhabi where temperatures have been topping 50 degrees Celsius.

The nine Renal Nursing MSc graduates flew more than 7,000 kilometres to collect their awards at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) last week. Temperatures were hitting 26 degrees Celsius in Leicester, but back home it was a whopping 51C.

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“This is like our winter,” joked Ryan Villanueva, who like his colleagues Kaiser Alejandrino, Jacqueline Sue Cainglet, Freddie Costales, Melleril Sara Ferrer, Safeer Abdulla Ibrahim, Jerel Kim Laguardia, Madelaine Manuel, Masele Emily Ralonya have been trained renal nurses for several years.

The cohort were selected for the two-year Master’s course, which has a 100% pass rate, after a rigorous selection process and combined their MSc studies with full-time jobs and family life.

Ryan said: “I am really proud of what we have accomplished. Diabetes and kidney disease are big issues in Abu Dhabi because of diet and the largely sedentary lifestyle. It is a pretty hot place so most people are always inside. We look into evidence-based practices and it helps us when we do patient interventions.”

Safeer added: “It was awesome, amazing experience. A lot of learning. It is not easy studying and working but it helps a lot with critical thinking and applying theory to practice."

The nurses all work for SEHA Dialysis Services, which developed the MSc in Renal Nursing with Fresenius Medical Care and DMU’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

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It was developed in response to the growing numbers of patients with chronic kidney disease in Abu Dhabi. The course has helped to raise the profile of nursing as well as improve patient care. It is also leading to better outcomes for those with the condition.

The first cohort began their studies in 2014 and this is the third cohort to graduate.  

Professor Marie Richards, programme leader of the course, was at DMU to see the latest students collect their degrees. Professor Richards, Director of Education/Training & Development at SEHA Dialysis Services, said: "Renal nurses are the largest professional group responsible for the delivery of care  for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Nurses are fundamental in the care of patients with kidney disease worldwide, which is increasing year on year and specialized renal  nurse education is an essential strategy  to manage this burden of disease and to provide quality renal care for the future."

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Carol Greenway, Associate Professor International in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, said: “This programme is challenging and the students have worked very hard to achieve this award whilst working in clinical practice. At a recent collaborative review the panel heard they are clearly having impact in country as the care they provide is already helping to detect kidney failure early”.

The course has helped to raise the profile of nursing as well as improve patient care. It is also leading to better outcomes for patients.
 

 

 

Posted on Monday 30 July 2018

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