A rehabilitation nurse helps people with physical and mental disabilities, chronic illnesses, and substance abuse issues by providing direct care and counseling. After a debilitating incident, he or she assists people in re-establishing independent lifestyles. A rehabilitation nurse also teaches family members and caregivers about a person’s disability and how to best support them.
A rehabilitation nurse’s goal is to assist a recently disabled or ill person in regaining a high level of independence. Nurses assist people in adjusting to difficult situations in their personal lives, work, and interactions with family and friends. They constantly encourage people and offer strategies to help them adjust to their disabilities.
Hospitals, home health care companies, outpatient physical rehabilitation clinics, and substance abuse treatment centers all employ rehabilitation nurses. A rehabilitation nurse can play a variety of roles in patient care depending on the job setting. Nurses who work in hospitals frequently treat a variety of patients and consult with doctors and other nurses to develop effective treatment plans. They frequently attend rehabilitation sessions with their patients to encourage them and monitor their progress. Rehabilitation nurses in hospitals perform more general nursing duties, such as administering medication and checking vital statistics, in addition to their specialized services.
Rehabilitation nurses work in the home health care field, providing education and counseling to patients and their families. Nurses may spend a significant amount of time in the homes of their patients, teaching them how to manage daily activities despite their disabilities. In home health care, rehabilitation nurses frequently assist patients in returning to their previous jobs or pursuing new opportunities.
In a physical rehabilitation clinic or a substance abuse treatment center, a nurse plays a critical role in a patient’s recovery. He or she works alongside doctors to provide patient assessments, counseling, and case management. Group therapy sessions are frequently facilitated by a nurse to allow patients to share their experiences and opinions with one another. Many nurses also attend follow-up meetings with recovering patients to offer ongoing advice and support.
An associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program is typically required to work as a rehabilitation nurse, though many employers prefer to hire nurses with more advanced degrees. Many rehabilitation nurses pursue master’s and even doctoral degrees in order to provide better care and expand their career opportunities. After completing the educational requirements, a prospective nurse must pass a national licensing exam to become licensed in their state. Although certification is not always required, many experienced nurses choose to take a test administered by the Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board.