Certification

Definitions and Scope of Practice

Rehabilitation nursing is a specialty practice area within the scope of professional nursing. It involves the diagnosis and treatment of human responses of individuals and groups to actual or potential health problems resulting from altered functional ability and altered lifestyle.

The goal of rehabilitation nursing is to assist individuals with disabilities and chronic illness in the restoration, maintenance, and promotion of optimal health. The rehabilitation nurse is skilled at treating alterations in functional ability and lifestyle resulting from injury, disability, and chronic illness.

Rehabilitation nurses provide comfort, therapy and education, promote health-conducive adjustments, support adaptive capabilities, and promote achievable independence. Rehabilitation nurses provide holistic, comprehensive, and compassionate end-of-life care, including promotion of comfort and relief of pain.

Rehabilitation nursing practice occurs in many settings and involves a variety of roles.

Staff Nurse

Nurse Manager

Head Nurse

Nurse Administrator

In-service Instructor

Home Health Nurse

Academic Instructor

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Nurse Clinician

Supervisor

Researcher

Community Nurse

Case Manager

Nurse Liaison

Insurance Nurse

Nurse Practitioner

Consultant

General hospital with or without rehabilitation unit

Long term care facility

Educational institution

Clinic

Insurance company

Private company/private office

Rehabilitation facility

Sub-acute unit

Community agency/home health agency

Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center