Council of Nephrology Social Workers of the National Kidney Foundation
Educational Programs and Meetings
Educational Meetings
National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meetings
The Council of Nephrology Social Workers (CNSW) organizes a dynamic and comprehensive clinical track each year for the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Spring Clinical Meeting. Social workers from across the nation and internationally attend the meeting to learn fresh approaches in dealing with difficult clinical issues, best practices, changes in the nephrology field, and much more. The program averages up to 30 hours of continuing education units (CEU).
Do you want to learn more about the next Spring Clinical Meeting? 
CNSW Chapter Educational Meetings and Activities
Local CNSW Chapters host a variety of educational meetings, conferences, and seminars throughout the country. These local educational opportunities allow individual chapters to design programming to address the regional needs of its membership. These educational meetings are operated independent of the National CNSW and are not sponsored by NKF.
Do you want to know about Local CNSW Chapter meetings?
NKF Affiliate Educational Meetings
NKF Affiliates host educational meetings and organize renal related activities across the country. These events are diverse in regards to content, goals, and target audiences.
Do you want to know more about NKF Affiliate events?
Educational Programs
CME/CEU Information for Past Clinical Meetings
Spring Clinical Meeting attendees may now access CME/CEU information and obtain certificates online. If you attended a past clinical meeting, you may access your CME/CEU information.
Professional Education Stipend
Each year, CNSW offers its national members the opportunity to apply for an educational stipend to attend the NKF Spring Clinical Meeting.
Purchase Meeting Audio Recordings
The NKF makes available for purchase audio recordings of each of its most recent Spring Clinical Meetings.
Do you want to know more about purchasing the Audio Recordings?
CNSW Outcomes Training Project
The last decade has brought multiple changes in the delivery of care to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The profile of the nephrology social worker, like other members of the dialysis care team, has changed in response to a new health care climate. The National Kidney Foundation's Council of Nephrology Social Workers Refocusing Nephrology Social Work: An Outcomes Training Program (OTP) consists of 20 training modules that support the expanded nephrology social work role in improving treatment outcomes for patients with CKD.
Currently available modules include:
- Module 1: Introduction to Outcomes-Driven Nephrology Social Work Practice/Facilitating Adjustments to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to Improve Treatment Outcomes
Objective: Participants will understand the concept of disease management and the important role of the nephrology social worker in enhancing positive treatment outcomes related to quality of life, survival, adherence, patient satisfaction with care; identify the three phases of adjustment to progressive chronic kidney disease and the intervention goals of each phase, as well as specific interventions to enhance treatment outcomes. (Currently available on VHS or DVD) (PDF* download) - Module 2: Outcomes Driven Nephrology Social Work Practice: Modality Education, Rehabilitation and Documentation
Objective: Participants will understand the role of the nephrology social worker in enhancing patient outcomes based on KDOQI; utilize quality of life instruments and apply their measurements to the treatment planning process; identify five components of successful rehabilitation; become familiar with internet resources for renal professionals and patients. (Currently available on VHS or DVD) (PDF* download) - Module 17: Designing and Delivering Interventions to Improve Adherence - New Continuing Education Program Available Online
Objective: Participants will understand cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic and paradoxical approaches to behavior change and are able to facilitate family and team inclusion in interventions.
Continuing Education Units (CE)
The Council of Nephrology Social Workers and the National Kidney Foundation will make every effort to obtain approval for continuing education units (CE) for the annual Clinical Meeting and other educational programming. However, it is the responsibility of each licensed social worker to contact their own state or provincial licensing board to make sure they can receive continuing education credit from the Clinical Meeting and other educational programming. Many states publish specific course content or course formats that they will not accept for CE. Additionally, states can change their CE approval requirements at any time. The final authority for approving any continuing education activity rests with the jurisdiction where the social worker is licensed.
