What is Rehabilitation Nursing?
Rehabilitation nurses help individuals affected by chronic illness or physical disability to adapt to their disabilities, achieve their greatest potential and work toward productive, independent lives. They take a holistic approach to meeting patients’ medical, vocational, educational, environmental and spiritual needs. Rehabilitation nurses begin to work with individuals and their families soon after the onset of a disabling injury or chronic illness. They continue to provide support in the form of patient and family education and empower these individuals when they go home or return to work or school. The rehabilitation nurse often teaches patients and their caregivers how to access systems and resources. Rehabilitation nursing is a philosophy of care, not a work setting or a phase of treatment. Rehabilitation nurses base their practice on rehabilitative and restorative principles by: • managing complex medical issues • collaborating with other specialists • providing ongoing patient
Rehabilitation nursing is a branch of the nursing field which is focused on providing care to patients who have been incapacitated by injury or illness. The goal of the nurse is to participate in a treatment program which will allow the patient to regain as much normal function as possible, thereby improving quality of life for the patient. Rehabilitation or rehab nurses can be found working in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, clinics, residential care facilities, and home health care environments, and compensation in this field is quite varied. People interested in a career in rehabilitation nursing must attend nursing school, and focus on rehabilitation during their nursing training. Many pursue additional training and board certification with a professional organization to make themselves more employable. Board certification proves that a rehabilitation nurse has passed an exam which tests nursing skills, and that he or she is committed to continuing education in the field and
Rehabilitation nursing is a philosophy of care, not a work setting or a phase of treatment. Rehabilitation nurses base their practice on rehabilitative and restorative principles by: Managing complex medical issues Consulting with specialists Providing ongoing patient education Setting goals for maximal rehabilitation Establishing plans of care to maintain optimal wellness Rehabilitation nurses begin to work with individuals and their families soon after a disabling injury or chronic illness begins, and they continue to provide support after these individuals go home or return to work or school. Rehabilitation nurses practice in all settings.
