ANNA Member Spotlight
Welcome to ANNA's monthly member spotlight. ANNA is a vibrant organization because of nurses like you! Your diverse experiences and unique perspectives make us a collective whole that is a masterpiece. We are proud of the work each of you do!
If you would like to be featured, participate in our online community, ANNA Connected. Members are featured in the Member Spotlight based on their engagement in ANNA Connected, so start connecting, talking, and getting to know other ANNA members via ANNA Connected.
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Laura Webb, RN, CNNHome Dialysis |
How long have you been a nurse?
39 years
How long have you been in nephrology?
32 years
What is unique about nephrology nursing?
What I find unique about nephrology nursing is the opportunity to really get to know your patients. You care for them over the years and learn so much about them personally and their medical conditions. Plus, they can teach you things like coping skills and what it is like to live with a chronic disease. I have learned to be grateful for my health and not take life for granted. Patients can show you amazing strength in the face of adversity.
What do you value most about your ANNA membership?
Being a member of ANNA allows me to network with other nurses through ANNA Connected. I can see what other clinics are doing. Free CE programs are offered monthly, and I continually take advantage of these opportunities.
Do you have a favorite patient story?
I care for a woman in her 40s who has had kidney failure since she was young. She has had three transplants over the years and is now back on hemodialysis. We have since trained her to do solo home hemodialysis per her request. She is a dynamo! She acts as a patient mentor and speaks at our CKD classes. Unfortunately, she got COVID 2 weeks after her first vaccine but was able to continue to dialyze at home with minimal symptoms. I admire her determination, perseverance, and positive attitude despite facing a life on dialysis. I have learned a lot about living life by watching her live hers.
What would you tell a newly practicing nurse about nephrology nursing?
I would tell a newly practicing nurse that nephrology nursing offers many opportunities to really make a difference in your patients’ lives. It is rewarding when patients tell you how you have positively impacted them.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working as a nurse?
When I am not working as a nurse, I am usually riding my bike with friends in the woods or out on the road. My husband and I love traveling and have been to multiple countries.