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
Kimberly Poshar, BSN, RN
Renal Services Nurse Manager | Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters
Norfolk, VA | Tidewater Chapter #241
How long have you been a nurse?
I have been a nurse for 12 years.
How long have you been in nephrology?
17 years.
What is unique about nephrology nursing?
It’s about building long-term partnerships with patients, preventing complications, improving quality of life, and guiding individuals through every stage of kidney disease, from diagnosis to dialysis or transplantation. That combination of science, technology, and human connection is what makes nephrology nursing truly unique.
What do you value the most about your ANNA membership?
What I value most about my ANNA membership is the opportunity to connect with other nephrology nurses who understand the unique challenges and rewards of caring for patients with kidney disease. The educational resources, leadership opportunities, and professional support have helped me grow throughout my career. ANNA inspires me to continuously improve my practice, advocate for patients, and mentor the next generation of nephrology nurses.
Do you have a favorite patient story?
When I walked into my renal transplant patient’s room as a new nurse in 1974 and the young male patient was standing on the windowsill threatening to jump the 11 floors to the ground as he kept saying: God failed him as his transplant failed and he had to go back on hemodialysis. I knew than that psychosocial factors were the most important. When I did my dissertation 20 years later, I wanted the now late Dr. Renee Fox, Medical Sociologist on my committee as I read her book, “The Courage to Fail” based on the kidney transplant that fails, and the patient needs to return to hemodialysis.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working as a nurse
I enjoy gardening and doing home improvement projects with my husband.
Share an Interesting Fact About Yourself
I have a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
What would you tell a newly practicing nurse about nephrology?
I would tell a new nurse that nephrology nursing is a specialty where you get to combine highly technical skills with meaningful, long-term relationships. You’ll learn to manage complex patients, understand how every body system is connected to kidney function, and develop strong critical thinking skills. What makes nephrology truly special is the relationships you build. You’ll see patients regularly, often for years, and become an important part of their journey through chronic kidney disease, dialysis, transplantation, and beyond. You celebrate successes, support them through challenges, and can make a lasting impact on their lives. Nephrology nursing is about patient education, advocacy, problem-solving, and helping people maintain the best quality of life possible while managing a chronic condition. If you’re looking for a specialty that challenges you intellectually while allowing you to form genuine connections with patients, nephrology nursing is an incredibly rewarding career path.
Featured Member
Professional Development: RN Educator
Lonita Humphrey BSN, RN
Newport News, VA | Tidewater #214
How long have you been a nurse?
26 years.
How long have you been in nephrology?
Off and On since 2012. Started when it was Re-Use Dialysis.
What is unique about nephrology nursing?
This specialty replaces an organ’s function, so we serve a very unique population. Nephrology Nursing and has its own certification.
What do you value the most about your ANNA membership?
The networks.
Do you have a favorite patient story?
My favorite Dialysis Nursing Experience was working with ICHD Pediatric patients. They were the coolest & most resilient kidney population I ever had the pleasure to serve.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working as a nurse?
Reading, Walking, Biking, Movies, Spending time with family and friends.
Share an Interesting Fact About Yourself
Additional Nursing Engagement: Nursing Honor Guard. Chi Eta Phi, Inc Nursing Sorority, BLS Instructor.
What would you tell a newly practicing nurse about nephrology?
Be observant. Work calmly (you will get a lot more done). Establish rapport with patients, customers early. Work to the strengths of the members of your team. Join ANNA!
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.



