The use of living related kidney donors is currently on the increase in North America owing to its overwhelming success when compared with cadaveric transplants. Because of this, nurses and physicians working with patients with end-stage renal disease need to become aware of the importance of assessment of the potential donor prior to the final decision to remove a healthy organ from a healthy individual. Both physical and psycho logical considerations are important in the understanding of the decision to donate as well as the long-term outcomes.