The sudden onset of a life-threatening illness produces drastic changes in the lives of the patients and their family. Families often respond to life-threatening situations with feeling of fear, anxiety and grief so this study aiming to identify and compare family needs of chronic hemodialysis clients as perceived by nurses and family members. The study included 50 family members and 50 nurses working in Armed Forces and the Main University Hospital in Alexandria. Each nurse and family member was individually interviewed. The findings revealed that relatives highlighted the importance of reassurance and their need for sufficient information about their family member are the most important needs for them, while nurses identified information as the most important need for them. It recommended an educational program to be designed for nurses to increase competence in human relations and communication.