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Professional Resources
Role Descriptions
The Advanced Practice Rehabilitation Nurse
Definition of the role of the advanced practice rehabilitation nurse
The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) endorses the role of
the advanced practice nurse as defined and described by the American
Nurses Association in Nursing: A Social Policy Statement:
"The advanced practice registered nurse works with individuals,
families, groups, and communities to assess health needs; develop
diagnoses; plan, implement and manage care; and evaluate outcomes of
care. Within their specialty areas, advanced practice registered nurses
may also plan and advocate care that promotes health and prevents
disease and disability; direct care or manage systems of care for
complex patient/family/community populations; manage acute and chronic
Illness, and prescribe, administer, and evaluate pharmacological
treatment regimes. In addition, advanced practice nurses serve as
mentors, consultants, and educators of nurses in basic practice. They
conduct research to expand the knowledge base." (p.16)
The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses defines advanced practice rehabilitation nursing in this way, as described in Scope and Standards of Advanced
Clinical Practice in Rehabilitation Nursing:
�Advanced practice nurses in rehabilitation have a graduate degree
in nursing. They conduct comprehensive assessments and demonstrate a
high level of autonomy and expert skill in diagnosis and treatment.
They manage complex responses of individuals, families, groups and
communities to actual or potential health problems stemming from
altered functional ability and altered lifestyle (resulting from
physical disability or chronic illness). Advanced practice nurses in
rehabilitation synthesize complex data to formulate decisions and plans
that optimize health, promote wellness, manage illness, prevent
complications or secondary disabilities, maximize function and minimize
handicap. Nurses in advanced practice integrate education, research,
and consultation into their clinical practice role. They function in
collaborative relationships with nursing peers, the interdisciplinary
team, and others who influence the healthcare environment." (p.4-5)
Roles of the advanced practice rehabilitation nurse
The advanced practice rehabilitation nurse practices in a variety of roles including, but not limited to, those outlined below:
Direct Care Provider
- Independently manages patients with complex rehabilitation needs
- Serves as clinical expert regarding rehabilitation nursing
- Serves as a clinical expert in complex clinical nursing situations
- Acts as a resource for crisis intervention
- Assesses the appropriateness of admission and delivery of services
- Provides discharge planning
- Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team
- Promotes client/family adaptation to lifestyle changes
Educator
- Provides education to clients, families, and communities
- Performs staff orientation
- Guides individual staff development
- Provides continuing education programming
- Acts as a mentor to nurses and students
Consultant
- Performs case finding
- Provides case management
- Serves as a liaison with third-party payers
- Serves as a resource and a process consultant to staff
- Evaluates and coordinates the interdisciplinary care program
- Serves as a client advocate
- Performs marketing and community relations activities
- Implements programs to enhance staff recruitment and retention
- Functions as a liaison with other community health professionals
Researcher
- Communicates relevant research results to staff
- Guides the development of research-based nursing practice
- Contributes to or conducts research activities
- Incorporates relevant research findings into practice
Manager
- Selects, evaluates, and guides the development of staff
- Establishes operational policies and procedures
- Develops, implements, and evaluates departmental and interdepartmental programs
- Initiates, monitors and ensures the quality of services delivered
Advanced practice rehabilitation nurses may function in a variety of
roles including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, case
managers, administrators, educators, researchers, staff nurses, and
consultants. While advanced practice nurses from other specialties may
practice in rehabilitation settings, the certification for advanced
practice nurses in rehabilitation is the Certified Rehabilitation
Registered Nurse-Advanced (CRRN-A).
The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses believes that the role of
the advanced practice rehabilitation nurse is a valuable asset within
rehabilitation practice and is essential for the continued growth and
expansion of rehabilitation nursing as a specialty.
In every setting in which the advanced practice rehabilitation nurse
functions, he or she acts as a role model for rehabilitation nurses.
The value of the advanced practice rehabilitation nurse can be measured
by the improved cost effectiveness of client care, increased nursing
staff clinical knowledge and skill, reduced frequency of complications
for the rehabilitation client, increased quality of nursing care, and
savings on expenses resulting from the availability of a resident
expert for consultation services. The Association of Rehabilitation
Nurses encourages the development and expansion of the specialty of
rehabilitation nursing through further promotion and utilization of the
advanced practice rehabilitation nurse.
Reference
American Nurses Association. (1984). Nursing: A social policy statement. Kansas City, MO: Author.
This role description was developed by the Advanced Practice Nurses
Special Interest Group of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.
You may purchase copies of these brochures in packets of 25 for $10 each.
The Advanced Practice Rehabilitation Nurse
Item no: roleadv
*Price: $10/pk of 25
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