According to estimates by epidemiologists, the renal damage of varying degrees may occur in up to four million people in Poland. People with the end-stage renal disease are forced to cope with the disease and the challenges associated with it on a daily basis. They must work to maintain the ability to perform simple, everyday activities that most people (healthy and ill alike) take for granted. Patients’ education in the end-stage renal disease responds to this struggle with chronic illness. Nurses, midwives and doctors are obliged to actively participate in educational efforts aimed at patients, especially those with chronic illnesses. This paper presents the meaning and scope of educational activities carried out by nurses when caring for patients with the end-stage renal disease. The research was carried out using a non-interactive method. The technique was a content analysis of selected literature on the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with the end stage renal disease. Patients’ education during the nursing care of patients with ESRD is a complex, multi-staged process directed toward the preparation of patients for active, conscious participation in diagnostic, therapeutic, dietary and nursing procedures. The education of patients with chronic renal failure from the very beginning of the development of chronic kidney disease has many potential benefits for both patients and health professionals, including better treatment results.

Key words: patients’ education, chronic kidney disease (CKD), end-stage renal disease (ESRD).