Member Spotlight
Member Spotlight
ANNA is a vibrant organization because of nurses like you!
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.
Featured Member
Jean Colaneri, ACNP-BC, CNN
Partner Nephrology Nurse Associates
Troy, New York | Northeast Tri-State #120
How long have you been a nurse?
I have been a nurse for 47 years.
How long have you been in nephrology?
I have been in nephrology for 36 years. I worked in an urban tertiary care medical center in the ICU and taught in a diploma nursing school before I worked in kidney transplantation for 24 years and then dialysis for 10 years. I retired from hospital nursing two years ago and a nephrology nurse colleague and I work as consultants for local dialysis programs.
What is unique about nephrology nursing?
In nephrology nursing, a nurse develops long- term, trusting relationships with the patient and their family and gets to know their concerns, fears, and what brings them joy.
What do you value the most about your ANNA membership?
I value the collegiality that I have with nurses at the chapter and national levels. Before the internet and virtual meetings, the only way to get good information was from other nurses who worked in different programs throughout the country. Information was much harder to come by in the 1980s and 1990s than it is now. ANNA membership was valuable then and is now. Networking with nephrology nurses is priceless. I have developed many wonderful friendships over the years.
Do you have a favorite patient story?
More than my transplant patients, my dialysis patients were economically disadvantaged and many had little to no psychosocial support. One of my dialysis patients was dying and he was mostly unresponsive. But when he heard my voice, he lifted his head up off the pillow, looked at me, and smiled. That smile was all I needed to validate that I had helped him. I always advocated for those patients and gave them extra kindness because they had no one else. It’s just who I am.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working as a nurse?
I enjoy yoga, long, hilly walks with friends, watching my granddaughter grow, visiting my children, travel, advocating for plastic packaging reduction, memoir writing, and writing for the Nephrology Nursing Journal. I just had a memoir published in the local New Authors Journal.
Share an Interesting Fact About Yourself
I love to learn new things. After I retired, I learned about solar energy and had 36 solar panels installed on the roof. Solar power is amazing.
What would you tell a newly practicing nurse about nephrology?
The kidney is a miracle. It has so many amazing functions that it takes a career to learn about them. What science has done to replace the functions of kidney is also miraculous and future developments in dialysis and transplantation are on the horizon. In the future, I am hopeful for better health and longevity for patients with kidney disease. Nephrology nursing is a promising career with many opportunities to help our patients.
Featured Member
David Ramirez, DNP, APRN, ACNS‑BC, CNN
Clinical Nurse Specialist | Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN | Southeast Minnesota Chapter #316
How long have you been a nurse?
I have been a nurse since 1999. Over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of roles and settings, which has helped shape my clinical practice, leadership skills, and passion for education.
How long have you been in nephrology?
I have worked in nephrology since 2002. Nephrology quickly became the area where I felt most connected to patients and where I could make a meaningful, long‑term impact on their lives.
What is unique about nephrology nursing?
Nephrology nursing is unique because it offers a wide range of practice opportunities across inpatient, outpatient, and home dialysis settings. One of the most meaningful aspects is the long‑term relationships that develop with patients and their families. Caring for patients over months or years allows nurses to truly understand their goals, fears, and successes. I also find great satisfaction in training and teaching patients—particularly those choosing home dialysis—to take ownership of their care. Empowering patients to manage their own therapy fosters independence, confidence, and a strong partnership between patients and the healthcare team.
What do you value the most about your ANNA membership?
I value the networking opportunities and the ability to share ideas, resources, and articles that help me continually assess and improve my current practice. ANNA provides a strong professional community that supports lifelong learning and collaboration within nephrology nursing.
Do you have a favorite patient story?
One patient was very fearful of dialysis and initially did not want to start treatment, even though she understood that choosing not to pursue dialysis could be life‑limiting. After several thoughtful and honest conversations with her and her husband, we explored her concerns, values, and goals of care. Eventually, they became open to peritoneal dialysis. With thorough training and close follow‑up, she did very well and remained on dialysis for several years. Watching her transition from fear and uncertainty to confidence and stability was incredibly rewarding and reinforced the importance of patient education and shared decision‑making.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working as a nurse
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and spending time with my partner and our dogs. These activities help me recharge and maintain balance.
Share an Interesting Fact About Yourself
Many people perceive me as an extrovert, but I am actually an introvert. I value quiet reflection and meaningful one‑on‑one connections, both personally and professionally.
What would you tell a newly practicing nurse about nephrology?
I would tell a new nurse that nephrology nursing is extremely rewarding. Few experiences compare to the appreciation patients express when you help them succeed—especially with home dialysis. It is also incredibly meaningful when patients who receive a kidney transplant return months or even years later to share their gratitude. Those moments stay with you and remind you why this work matters.
Why Join ANNA?
The American Nephrology Nurses Association is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization established to support nephrology nurses through education, advocacy, networking and science.
We are committed to advancing the nephrology nursing specialty and nurturing every ANNA member.
