DESCRIPTORS: Nursing. Transplantation. Renal insufficiency, chronic.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to understand the experience of patients with chronic renal failure, who were included in a list of subjects waiting for a kidney transplant. This is an exploratory, descriptive, and qualitative study, with phenomenology as theoretical basis. Twenty patients have undergone hemodialysis as a renal replacement therapy. These subjects were active while they waited for a kidney transplant. Analysis of material obtained in this study allowed us to understand the fear and insecurity of these patients in view of both dialysis treatment and the possibility that a compatible donor is not found. They have shown faith strength and courage while using self-care to stay well when transplanting arrived. They idealized a new life, a fresh start, away from the machine for hemodialysis. The present study has detected a need for monitoring, by an interdisciplinary team, of patients included in waiting lists in order to help them experiencing such wait