About ARN

A Definition and Brief History of Rehabilitation Nursing

What do Rehabilitation Nurses do?

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/caregiver education
  • setting goals for maximal independence
  • establishing plans of care to maintain optimal wellness.

Rehabilitation nurses practice in all settings:

  • freestanding rehabilitation facilities
  • hospitals (inpatient rehabilitation units)
  • long-term subacute care facilities/skilled nursing facilities
  • long-term acute care facilities
  • comprehensive outpatient rehab facilities
  • private practice
  • home healthcare agencies
  • clinics and day rehabilitation programs
  • community and government agencies
  • insurance companies and health maintenance organizations
  • schools and universities

Rehabilitation nurses fill many roles across the continuum of care:

  • administrator
  • admissions liaison
  • case manager
  • clinical nurse specialist
  • researcher
  • staff nurse
  • educator

Credentials

Rehabilitation nurses are registered nurses, licensed in the state where they practice. Some have master’s and doctoral degrees from one of several specialized programs across the country.

A registered nurse with at least 2 years of practice in rehabilitation nursing can earn distinction as a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN®) by successfully completing an examination that validates expertise.

History of Rehabilitation Nursing

Rehabilitation, as an interdisciplinary healthcare specialty, grew out of the wars of the 20th century. Military hospitals established rehabilitation units that were focused on returning injured and seriously disabled soldiers back into society. Civilian rehabilitation units and hospitals began to emerge by the mid-1940s.

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) was established in 1974. ARN was formally recognized as a specialty nursing organization by the American Nurses Association in 1976.

The Certified Rehabilitation Nurse (CRRN®) exam was first administered in 1984. The CRRN credential is now administered by the Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB), an autonomous component of ARN. The CRRN program is accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties.

Additional information on rehabilitation and rehabilitation nursing can be found in chapter one of The Specialty Practice of Rehabilitation Nursing: A Core Curriculum, fifth edition.

Why Hire a Rehabilitation Nurse?

Rehabilitation nursing and rehabilitation/restoration principles are more important to the healthcare system than ever before. The rehabilitation nursing specialty has measurable, functional outcome goals for patients, which rehabilitation nurses use in planning and evaluating the effectiveness of patient care.

Rehabilitation nurses have excellent functional assessment skills and take a comprehensive approach to care. They act as multisystem integrators and team leaders, working with physicians, therapists, and others to solve problems and promote patients’ maximal independence. Rehabilitation nurses are particularly skilled at working with others to adapt ongoing care to the resources available.

Rehabilitation nurses act not only as caregivers but also as coordinators, collaborators, counselors, and case managers.

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses' Special Interest Groups have developed role descriptions to educate employers, patients, and others about the various roles of rehabilitation nurses, and the skills they bring to all settings across the continuum of care.

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