Date Approved

1999

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Nursing (M.S.N.)

Degree Program

College of Nursing

Abstract

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) affects almost 300,000 people in the United States. The growth rate is estimated at six to seven percent per year. Of these, over 182,000 chose hemodialysis as the treatment regimen to sustain their lives. Qualitative research is relatively absent specific to this population.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the lived experiences of persons dependent on hemodialysis. Four self-identified persons dependent on hemodialysis were asked to describe their experiences of being a person dependent on hemodialysis. The verbal descriptions were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. These descriptions were analyzed for meaning using the Giorgi method. Three focal meanings emerged: 1) starting dialysis, 2) living with dialysis, and 3) acceptance and outlook on the future. Nursing can utilize the information from this research to develop strategies to better address issues specific to this population.

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