Chronic Kidney Disease Course
Improve patient outcomes through early recognition and evidence-based management of CKD with this self-paced online course, developed by NPs with nephrology input for clinicians across Canada and the U.S.
Launching Fall 2026. Registration is open now.
Included at no additional cost with another NP Circle course or program purchased by December 31, 2026.
NP Circle is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
We’ve got you covered
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Created by expert NPs
With nephrology input, built for real-world CKD care.
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Clinical reasoning first
Taught through clinical reasoning, not isolated lab values.
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Detection to referral
From early detection through management and referral.
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At your pace
Self-paced, on-demand modules with lifetime access.
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Private clinician community
A space for shared learning and your questions.
Meet the faculty
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Aliya Hajee
MN, BScN, NP, MSCP
Nurse Practitioner
Course Creator & Instructor -

Alix Consorti
MN, BScN, NP, MSCP
Nurse Practitioner
Course Creator -

Dr. Daniel Schwartz
MD, FRCPC
Nephrologist
Subject Matter Expert & Course Creator -

Mary Smith
PhD, NP-PHC
Nurse Practitioner & Kidney Health Researcher
Expert Reviewer -

Claudia Mariano
MSc, BScN, PHCNP
Retired Nurse Practitioner
Expert Reviewer
Course overview
Chronic kidney disease is common, progressive, and often under-recognized in primary care. Early disease can be missed, risk underestimated, and opportunities to slow progression lost.
This course gives NPs and other primary care clinicians a practical, evidence-based framework for identifying, staging, and managing CKD across the continuum of care. It is taught through clinical reasoning rather than isolated lab values: you’ll learn to recognize CKD earlier, interpret kidney investigations with confidence, assess risk, and apply evidence-based strategies to slow disease progression and reduce cardiovascular risk.
Across 3 modules, the course moves from foundational concepts and early detection through diagnosis, risk stratification, evidence-based management, and comprehensive care, including when to escalate care or refer to nephrology. It draws on current Canadian, U.S., and international guidance, with lab values in SI units and conventional units where applicable.
Who it’s for
This course is designed for NPs and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of adults with or at risk for chronic kidney disease. It is particularly relevant for clinicians in primary care and other settings where CKD is commonly identified and managed.
Learning objectives
By the end of this activity, learners will be able to:
Identify chronic kidney disease earlier in primary care using appropriate screening and confirmation strategies.
Describe the evidence-based frameworks used to stage CKD accurately and assess patient risk.
Interpret common kidney-related labs, specifically albuminuria and eGFR, to support clinical decision-making.
Apply evidence-based strategies to slow CKD progression and reduce cardiovascular risk in the primary care setting.
Recognize clinical indicators that require escalation of care or referral to nephrology.
What you’ll learn
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Foundations of CKD in Primary Care
MODULE 1
Build a strong foundation for recognizing CKD early and understanding how and why kidney disease develops and progresses.
Topics include
Definitions, classification, and staging
Pathophysiology of disease progression
Epidemiology and major risk factors
Systemic consequences
Screening in primary care
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Diagnosis, Staging, and Risk Stratification
MODULE 2
Develop a structured approach to interpreting kidney investigations, establishing the diagnosis, assessing risk, monitoring progression, and determining when nephrology involvement is needed.
Topics include
Creatinine and eGFR interpretation
Albuminuria assessment and interpretation
Urinalysis in kidney disease evaluation
Applying KDIGO staging in practice
Identifying the underlying etiology
Monitoring in primary care
Screening for complications
Recognizing when to refer to nephrology
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Management and Comprehensive Care
MODULE 3
Apply evidence-based strategies to slow CKD progression, reduce cardiovascular risk, manage complications, and support patients across the CKD journey.
Topics include
Lifestyle management
Blood pressure management
Diabetes management
SGLT2 inhibitors
RAAS blockade and hyperkalemia management
Managing complications
Cardiovascular risk reduction
Advanced strategies to slow disease progression, including non-steroidal MRAs and GLP-1 receptor agonists
Preparing for advanced kidney care
Immunization and infection prevention
Multidisciplinary care models
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Ready to feel more confident managing CKD?
Build a practical, evidence-based approach to identifying CKD earlier, assessing risk, slowing disease progression, reducing cardiovascular risk, and knowing when to refer.
Self-paced: Complete the course on your own schedule.
Expert-developed: Developed by NPs with nephrology input.
Primary care focused: Screening, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and referral.
Clinically relevant: Apply what you learn to real-world CKD care.
Built for Canada and the U.S.: Relevant guidance and units for clinicians across both countries.
Continuing education: ANCC contact hours and pharmacology hours to be announced.
Two ways to get the CKD Course
Included with any NP Circle course or program
Buy any NP Circle course or program by December 31, 2026, and the CKD Course is included at no extra cost. Already purchased one? You’re already included.
Browse courses and programsEnroll in the CKD Course on its own
Get the CKD Course by itself. No other NP Circle course or program purchase is required.
Enroll in the CKD Course
Testimonials
FAQs
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The CKD Course will launch in Fall 2026. Registration is open now.
There are two ways to access the course:
Option 1: Purchase another NP Circle course or program
Purchase by December 31, 2026, and the CKD Course is included at no additional cost. Already purchased one? You’re automatically included. No action needed.
Explore NP Circle courses and programs hereOption 2: Enroll in the CKD Course on its own
No other NP Circle course or program purchase is required.
Enroll in CKD Course here -
No. You’re already included. No action is required. You’ll automatically receive access to the CKD Course when it launches.
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Yes. NP Circle is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
The final number of ANCC contact hours and pharmacology hours is currently being finalized and will be posted once confirmed.
To receive contact hours, learners must complete the required course modules, associated quizzes, and activity evaluations. The quizzes are completion-based, with no minimum passing score required.
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Yes. You will receive a certificate of completion, along with your contact hours, once you finish the course and the post-activity requirements.
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No. The course is designed for NPs and other healthcare professionals involved in caring for adults with or at risk for chronic kidney disease.
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The course is fully self-paced and on-demand, so you can start any time and work at your own speed. The private peer discussion space is there for questions and collegial support throughout.
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The course draws on current Canadian, U.S., and international clinical guidance where relevant. Lab values are presented in SI units, with conventional units included where applicable to support clinicians across Canada and the United States.
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Yes. The course is designed around the role of primary care in identifying, assessing, managing, and monitoring CKD, as well as recognizing when escalation of care or nephrology referral is needed.
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Yes. This activity was supported by an educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim. Boehringer Ingelheim did not participate in the planning, content, delivery, or evaluation of this activity.
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NP Circle is founded and led by NPs. Our team plans, reviews, and moderates every program, with needs assessments guiding the topics we cover and the clinical questions we address.
We bring together expert NPs, physicians, pharmacists, and other specialists so learners can benefit from the depth of knowledge and clinical experience across disciplines. Faculty are selected for their topic expertise, teaching ability, and the practical value they bring to NP practice.
Interested in teaching with us? Apply here.
This course was supported by an educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim. Boehringer Ingelheim did not participate in the planning, content, delivery, or evaluation of this activity.

