During the past year the ARN Board of Directors, Governance Task Force, and staff have been busy on many fronts to enhance the ARN programs, structure, and processes. The vision has been to increase inclusivity, efficiency, and effectiveness for ARN members.

We are pleased to present the April issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

This week, ARN joins volunteer-driven organizations around the world by giving special recognition to the individuals who contribute their time, talent, and voice to volunteer with ARN. ARN's network of volunteer leaders make a difference every day; their extraordinary work at the national and local levels brings ARN's mission to life. 

All ARN voting members are encouraged to participate in an electronic vote on proposed Bylaws changes. Members received instructions for voting via email and they can also access their electronic ballot by clicking the Vote Now button below. The deadline to submit votes is April 14, 2021, 11:59 pm CT.

A copy of the ARN Bylaws with proposed changes are available for review, along with the rationale for the changes.

If you have any questions or concerns about the proposed Bylaws changes, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Thank you for your continued support and participation in ARN! If successful in passing, we are confident these Bylaws changes will allow our organization to become more inclusive, efficient, and effective for you, our members. 

Does multiple sclerosis and its symptoms impact your patient's risk of loneliness? The Rehabilitation Nursing Journal article, "Loneliness in Multiple Sclerosis: Possible Antecedents and Correlates," discusses the relationship between multiple sclerosis (MS) and loneliness. The article, which was written by Drs. Balto, Pilutti, and Motl, is centered around a study that uses the Perlman and Paplau's social psychology theory of loneliness and the UCLA loneliness scale to examine and compare the extent of loneliness between adults with MS and healthy adults.

Learning to write an abstract is a skill that will help you disseminate scholarly work through publication, a poster, or conference presentation. An abstract is a summary of a research study, quality improvement (QI) or evidence-based practice (EBP) project, or body of work. The abstract is as important as the article itself since it is often the first part of the article read. It allows the reader to determine if they want to read the entire article. The abstract should be concise (typically 150-250 words) but detailed enough to stand on its own. Abstracts are written after the article is complete and should be written in the past tense since you are reporting on what has already been completed. Below are headings typically found in abstracts:

Join ARN on May 4 at 1 pm CT for an informative webinar where you'll get the opportunity to learn about spinal cord injuries and their treatment from presenter Margi Williams, PhD RN CRRN FNP-BC DDP FABDA FARN.

Dr. Patricia Quigley's April 2021 President's Message discusses steps ARN and other organizations can take to address the aging nursing workforce by researching workflow, practice, and environmental changes that support older nurses' health and function.

Don't miss an important webinar focusing on certain patients hit especially hard by the COVID-19 virus. Sally Strong, RN APRN CNRN CRRN, will shed light on how this coronavirus can spark an overreaction in some individuals' immune systems. Strong will discuss the adverse effects that can take place in the cardiopulmonary, hematologic, and neurologic systems. This webinar will explore techniques to meet the needs of COVID-19 patients in a rehab setting and include a discussion about the long-term consequences of COVID that rehab nurses will encounter in their patients in the coming decades.

We are pleased to present the March issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

A new publication co-authored by ARN Board Member Dr. Grace Campbell discusses the challenges of pain management in patients with serious illnesses and a history of substance use disorders (SUDs).

National Certified Nurses Day^TM is an annual day of recognition for and by health care leaders dedicated to nursing professionalism, excellence, recognition, and service. Every March 19, employers, certification boards like the Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB), education facilities, and health care providers celebrate and publicly acknowledge nurses who earn and maintain the highest credentials in their specialty. Certified Nurses Day honors nurses worldwide who contribute to better patient outcomes through national board certification in their specialty.

The Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse (CRRN^®) exam is offered twice a year, in June and December, and offers rehab nurses an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and commitment to the field through specialty certification.

The Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) contains educational content that focuses on contemporary rehabilitation nursing practice across the continuum of care and the lifespan. The journal is published every other month and provides opportunities for professional development, as well as a forum for the dissemination of information pertinent to practice, education, research, and administration. RNJ strives to provide a journal that disseminates timely information and new trends in practice each issue.

This 8 article collection from ARN's Journal, Rehabilitation Nursing, details the impacts, both psychological and physical, of stroke, while containing research and clinical articles that focus on stroke survivors and their family caregivers.  

If you are an ARN member or a Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) subscriber, you should soon receive your March/April 2021 issue in the mail. Check out a preview of three great articles that will be gracing the pages of this issue, or visit the journal online to read the full issue.

There are many benefits to being an ARN member, but did you know that it might make you eligible for a scholarship? If you're looking to earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or are looking to earn a graduate degree like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), or a doctorate in nursing (PhD, DNP, DNS/DNSc), you should strongly consider applying for an ARN Scholarship. Each of these scholarships offers financial assistance of $1,500.

Dr. Patricia Quigley's March 2021 President's Message highlights key aspects of ARN's history and role in establishing a competency model for rehabilitation nursing, as ARN prepares to issue an updated model later this year.

ARN President, Dr. Patricia Quigley, issued the following message via Member Circle on February 22, 2021, to memorialize the grim milestone passed in the U.S. on this day when the country exceeded more than half a million lives lost to COVID-19. Members may login to view responses to Pat's original message and leave their own comments here.

Complete with its own launch event on February 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the initiation of their new Rehabilitation Competency Framework (RCF). In development since 2017, this framework is designed to serve the needs of countries whose rehabilitation workforce is under-equipped to meet their population's pressing needs, whether due to large-scale shortages across professions and specializations or issues of quality and relevance.

Mark your calendar for March 31, 2021, from noon–1:15 pm CT, when ARN will host the webinar Re-engineering Fall Prevention During COVID-19: Observations from the Field. 

This complimentary webinar will feature presenters Dr. Amy Hester, PhD, RN, BC and Dr. Patricia Quigley, PhD, MPH, APRN, FAAN, FAANP, FARN, who will discuss the changing demands in inpatient rehabilitation units caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Participants can earn up to 1.25 CEs for their participation.

We are pleased to present the February issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses. 

Did you know that the number one reason new members cite for their decision to join ARN is that a friend or colleague referred them? Through the ARN Refer-a-Friend program, current members are able to expose their colleagues to ARN's nursing education resources, certification opportunities, an extensive network of rehab nursing professionals, and research—all while making themselves eligible to win awesome prizes like a free year of membership or complimentary conference registration.

Did you know that accidental falls is considered a national health crisis with a high-risk factor amongst individuals with cancer?  

Rehabilitation Nursing uses the online editorial management system, Editorial Manager, for submission of manuscripts. The website (https://www.editorialmanager.com/rnj/default.aspx), in addition to serving as the repository of manuscripts, provides important information for both authors and reviewers. Here is an overview of the information you can find on the Editorial Manager website.

Dear Colleagues,

As the year 2020 entered its final month, a groundbreaking, must-read article was published in The Lancet that necessitates ARN's attention and action. ARN is the only national and international specialty association for rehabilitation nurses in the world positioned to respond to the call for action posed in this article.

The ARN Board of Directors selected Kathy Clark, MSN RN CRRN FARN, and Rosemarie King, PhD RN, as the 2020 recipients of Distinguished Service Awards. This award acknowledges their service and contribution to rehabilitation nursing and to the organization as a whole. This award also recognizes their leadership and commitment to the field through their active participation in ARN events and activities.

When you think about 2020 you may think about vision. 20/20 vision is a term that indicates normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance.

ARN is excited to announce plans to renew Encompass Health as an institutional member for the year 2021-2022. Established in 2020, this partnership allows ARN to enhance its advocacy for rehabilitation nursing and the improvement of healthcare delivery.

Happy new year, ARN members! We are pleased to present the January 2021 issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

ARN is proud to announce that three ARN members have been officially appointed to National Quality Forum (NQF) committees. NQF's mission is to promote and ensure patient protections and healthcare quality through measurement and public reporting. The ARN and NQF work hand in hand to support quality health care delivery. This partnership now includes three ARN appointees who will provide vital rehabilitation nursing perspectives to the following national NQF Committees:

In June of last year following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis, ARN 2019-2020 President Barbara Lutz, PhD RN CRRN PHNA-BC FAHA FAAN and Executive Director Gayle Irvin, MPH CAE issued a joint statement on racism and public health. In the statement, Barb and Gayle wrote, "ARN is committed to standing with our nursing, public health, and community partners to address issues of racial inequality, health inequity, and implicit bias. As rehabilitation nurses, we are committed to helping people recover from disabling illness and injury and prevent further disability. We can use that same commitment to address the debilitating and disabling effects of racism on the health and well-being of our citizens and our communities. It is our duty…it is our calling."

We love to celebrate all the hard work Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN^®) certificants put into their patient care and how they show their knowledge and passion by earning the CRRN. This month, we are recognizing Amy Martin-Madeley, MAEd BSN RN CRRN, and her commitment to rehabilitation nursing.

A statement from ARN President Dr. Patricia A. Quigley in response to the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

If you are an ARN member or a Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) subscriber, you should soon receive your January/February 2021 issue in the mail. Check out a preview of three great articles that will be gracing the pages of this issue, or visit the journal online to read the full issue.

ARN is committed to impacting healthcare as a leader in influencing rehabilitation public policy. As a part of this commitment we want to ensure that our members have the knowledge and opportunity to participate in the creation of public policy and advocacy related to rehabilitation nursing. In that spirit, we are pleased to announce the ARN Nurses in Washington Internship (NIWI) Scholarship!

In her first President's Message of 2021, Dr. Patricia Quigley calls on rehabilitation nurses to fill in gaps within existing COVID-19 research literature by publishing their stories, and, in doing so, assert the vital role of rehabilitation nurses in the care of COVID patients, their families, and their caregivers.

ARN is seeking reviewers to read and evaluate abstract submissions for its 2021 annual conference, which will be held November 10-13 in Providence, Rhode Island. If you hold a BSN degree or higher and are an ARN member in good standing, you are eligible to participate!  

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) presented the 2020 Chapter Award to our two newest chapters—the Delaware Chapter, established in July 2019, and the Baystate Chapter, established in March 2020. The award, which recognizes the hard work and perseverance of chapters, was presented at ARN's 2020 REACH conference held virtually October 20–22. 

 We are pleased to present the December issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

Given all that has been going on this year, we know it was difficult for many rehabilitation nurses to work in time for their own personal and professional development. Wrap up your 2020 by saving an extra $20 on ARN's full library of webinars as well as the essential reference for rehab nursing, The Specialty Practice of Rehabilitation Nursing: A Core Curriculum, 8th Ed. Use code BYE2020 at checkout to apply your discount. As always, members get the best rates on ARN products.

The Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) contains educational content that focuses on contemporary rehabilitation nursing practice across the continuum of care and the lifespan. The journal is published every other month and provides opportunities for professional development, as well as a forum for the dissemination of information pertinent to practice, education, research, and administration. RNJ editors strive to provide a journal that disseminates timely information and new trends in practice each issue.

Revisiting a popular Rehabilitation Nursing Journal study that used manual and automatic chronometers to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the timed up and go test in women with fibromyalgia.

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) Past-President Barbara J. Lutz, PhD RN CRRN PHNA-BC FAHA FAAN, awarded Michelle Camicia, PhD MSN RN NEA-BC CCM CRRN FAHA PHN FARN, the 2020 President's Award. The award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of rehabilitation nursing, was presented at REACH 2020, ARN's Annual Educational Conference held virtually October 21–24.

On October 21, ARN inducted its 2020 class of fellows during the REACH 2020 virtual conference. Established in 2019, the ARN Fellow Designation (FARN) is the most distinguished level of member, as well as a public hallmark of professional esteem.  

In her December 2020 President's Message, Dr. Patricia Quigley reflects on 2020 Year of the Nurse and Midwife celebrations in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and applauds ARN members for their resilience. In the spirit of giving this holiday season, Dr. Quigley urges members to consider giving their colleagues a gift that keeps giving: The gift of an ARN membership.

We are pleased to present the November issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses. 

From the first world war to more recent disasters, such as the 2015 Nepal earthquake, the importance of integrating rehabilitation into emergency responses to conflicts and disasters has been clear. To help meet this need, the World Health Organization (WHO) has worked alongside a number of organizations to support the development of a field handbook and eLearning modules on "Early Rehabilitation in Conflicts and Disasters".  

As leaders in the rehabilitation nursing field, you know that while we are fighting the pandemic and working to limit the virus' spread, we are also facing the challenge of identifying and treating the long-term effects of COVID-19.  

The Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) contains educational content that focuses on contemporary rehabilitation nursing practice across the continuum of care and the lifespan. The journal is published every other month and provides opportunities for professional development, as well as a forum for the dissemination of information pertinent to practice, education, research, and administration. RNJ editors strive to provide a journal that disseminates timely information and new trends in practice each issue.

In this issue of RNJ Corner, RNJ Associate Editor, Linda L. Pierce, PhD MSN RN CRRN FAAN, discusses what to look for in an author mentor and mentee relationship, and how you can look at the relationship from a learning perspective.

During REACH 2020, ARN's annual conference held virtually last month, we announced recipients of the 2020 ARN Role Awards. ARN Role Awards are given for outstanding contributions in various aspects of rehabilitation nursing. They offer members and opportunity to acknowledge their peers and colleagues for their exemplary work and service. Please join us in congratulating and celebrating the following Role Award recipients!

​Each year, ARN's annual conference features poster presentations that provide access to the latest research and emerging treatments and therapies in rehabiliation nursing. Presented virtually this year, the 2020 REACH posters again showed us the breadth and depth of the work of rehabilitation nurses.

 If you are an ARN member or a Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) subscriber, you should soon receive your November/December 2020 issue in the mail. Check out a preview of three great articles that will be gracing the pages of this issue, or visit the journal online to read the full issue.

ARN is committed to providing rehabilitation professionals the resources they need to safely practice through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Next month, in partnership with MedBridge, ARN will present two free webinars focused the mental health and psychosocial challenges of patients, family, and caregivers who are dealing with COVID-19 related illness.

In her last act as ARN's 2019-2020 President, Barbara J. Lutz, PhD RN CRRN PHNA-BC FAHA FAAN installed the incoming 2020-2021 Board of Directors on October 22 at the ARN Annual Member's Meeting during the REACH 2020 virtual conference.  

Dr. Patricia A. Quigley installed as ARN President ​ 

ARN Is Your Voice Around the World 

Since its founding in 1976, the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) remains the only nursing specialty organization for rehabilitation registered nurses recognized by the American Nurses Association. I am so proud to be your 2020-2021 President! 

ARN members practice a rehabilitation nursing philosophy of care
Having been an ARN member since 1977, I can attest that our association truly believes that rehabilitation nursing is a philosophy of care, not a work setting or a phase of treatment. We base our practice on rehabilitative and restorative principles by:

• managing complex medical issues
• collaborating with other specialists
• providing ongoing patient/caregiver education
• setting goals for maximum independence
• establishing plans of care to maintain optimal wellness.
  
  

The vision of ARN is "to transform health care by integrating rehabilitation nursing concepts into care for all people." To this end, our members form a community devoted to the advancement and promotion of rehabilitation nursing in every practice setting, including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation units, long-term care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and academia.

Thank you to all volunteers and attendees who made this year's annual conference possible!  

When we had to make the decision to take this conference virtual, we were committed to providing the rehabilitation nursing community with an energizing event as we do every year. Thanks to hard work from the 2020 Conference Planning Committee, led by chair, Paula Martinkewiz, MS RN CRRN, in collaboration with ARN staff, we were able to come together online for a joyous virtual event jam-packed with valuable education, inspirational stories, and engaging networking and social activities!

ARN members are passionate about their profession and we love to celebrate all the hard work each member puts into their patient care. This month, we are recognizing Ramesh (Ram) Upadhyaya, MBA MSN RN CRRN and his recent induction into the prestigious Society of Luther Christman Fellows of the American Association for Men in Nursing.

Join WOCN Society on October 28 at 6:30 pm CT to learn about practical interventions following indwelling urinary catheter removal that you can take to your rehab setting. Earn 1.5 CE at this interactive session and register for free before it starts.  

Research presented at the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) virtual conference held earlier this month assessed impressions of board-certified specialty nurses among a national sample of more than 2,000 adults. The findings are based on a comprehensive survey conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of ABNS in June of 2020. Among their key discoveries, Morning Consult's analysis identified that three in four adults support requiring nurses to receive a specialty nursing board certification.  

The Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) contains educational content that focuses on contemporary rehabilitation nursing practice across the continuum of care and the lifespan. The journal is published every other month and provides opportunities for professional development, as well as a forum for the dissemination of information pertinent to practice, education, research, and administration. RNJ editors strive to provide a journal that disseminates timely information and new trends in practice each issue.

In this issue of RNJ Corner, RNJ Editorial Board Member, Pamala D. Larsen, PhD MS RN, provides information on which updates to keep at the top of your mind when writing your manuscript.

An investigation published in RNJ seeks to identify what role resilience plays in the rehabilitation outcomes of elderly people ​

In general, resilience is thought of as the capacity to bounce back from injury or trauma. With regard to older adults, resilience can be described as the ability to achieve, retain, or regain a level of physical or emotional health after illness.  

The Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse (CRRN^®) exam is offered twice a year, in June and December, and offers rehab nurses on the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and commitment to the field through specialty certification. Due to COVID-19, nurses who sit for the December 2020 exam will have the opportunity to test from their home or office through remote proctoring.

Read the latest in health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.  

Thank you to all of the candidates and voting members who participated in the recent ARN leadership election. It is with tremendous pride and excitement that ARN issues this announcement of the election results and the association's newest class of leadership. 

With the change of seasons comes a week of awareness for ARN and rehab nurses everywhere—Fall Prevention Week. Besides preparing your fall décor and stocking up on pumpkin flavored creamer, we have some great resources to refresh your fall knowledge and get into the spirit of the season!

The Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB) administers the Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN^®) certification program for nurses who assist individuals with disabilities and chronic illness to restore, maintain, and promote optimal health. With more than 13,000 current certificants, the CRRN has been widely recognized and respected by employers in all post-acute care settings for more than 30 years.

The Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) contains educational content that focuses on contemporary rehabilitation nursing practice across the continuum of care and the lifespan. The journal is published every other month and provides opportunities for professional development, as well as a forum for the dissemination of information pertinent to practice, education, research, and administration. RNJ editors strive to provide a journal that disseminates timely information and new trends in practice each issue.

 In this issue of RNJ Corner, RNJ Editorial Board Member, Pamala D. Larsen, PhD MS RN, provides tips for honing in on your manuscript submission process—starting with the planning.

RNCB announces grace period and waived late fees for CRRNs due to renew in 2020 as well as remote testing for those seeking certification​

The Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB) recognizes the undue burden and stress that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on the nursing community. In order to support rehabilitation nurses seeking to maintain or earn their Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse (CRRN®)  credential during these challenging times, RNCB has temporarily adjusted CRRN deadlines, fees, and testing site options.

Research published in Rehabilitation Nursing Journal makes the case for incorporating cancer rehabilitation as part of cancer survivorship care 

The number of cancer patients and survivors is rising worldwide. An American Cancer Society 2019–2021 report on cancer treatment and survivorship estimates that the U.S. population of cancer survivors will increase to more than 22.1 million by 2030 due to the growth and age of the population alone.

Last month Catherine Alfano, PhD, vice president of cancer care management and research at Northwell Health Cancer Institute and published Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) author, wrote an op-ed in Newsday titled "Doing right by cancer patients." In the piece, Dr. Alfano discusses the growing need for the medical community to focus energy and resources on caring for cancer patients and survivors. "It's time to take a broader view of cancer care. Treatment is not just about vanquishing the disease; it's also about keeping people healthy and feeling as good as possible for the rest of their lives," writes Dr. Alfano.

ARN's journal, Rehabilitation Nursing, has complied a collection of 8 articles regarding family caregiving to offer rehab nurses a chance to expand their knowledge of care and perspectives while earning CE credit.

These freely accessible articles cover topics on identifying stroke caregiver concerns, using websites to reduce caregiver burden, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, caregiver engagement, quality of life of family caregivers, information needs of family caregivers, and assessment of the preparedness of family caregivers.

If you are an ARN member or a Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) subscriber, you should soon receive your September/October 2020 issue in the mail. Check out a preview of three great articles that will be gracing the pages of this issue, or visit the journal online to read the full issue.

How do you make a difference? What do you hope to see in the future of nursing? The World Health Organization designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife in recognition of the contributions made, and the risks associated with, nursing shortages. Help us continue our vision for the future of rehab nursing. A donation to ARN's $2,020 in 2020 fund will help facilitate the development of new programs and drive the rehabilitation specialty foreword. 

Let's show how strong we are by raising $2,020. Learn more and donate today.

In March 2020, the Garnet Health Medical Center (GHMC; formerly the Orange Regional Medical Center), received notice that it had earned Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation based on CARF's recent survey. The 3-year accreditation is for the medical center's inpatient rehabilitation program and the report identified no recommendations—an accomplishment achieved on only 3% of CARF surveys.

We spoke with ARN member Carmella Pistone-Halpern, MA NEA-BC CRRN, nursing director of inpatient rehabilitation at the medical center, to learn more about this incredible achievement.

Read the latest in health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.  

CHICAGO—August 13, 2020: The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) is proud to announce that the ARN Annual Conference, REACH 2020, will be held virtually October 20–22, marking the first time ARN has offered this important event in an entirely online format. 

The Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) contains educational content that focuses on contemporary rehabilitation nursing practice across the continuum of care and the lifespan. The journal is published every other month and provides opportunities for professional development, as well as a forum for the dissemination of information pertinent to practice, education, research, and administration. RNJ editors strive to provide a journal that disseminates timely information and new trends in practice each issue.

In this issue of RNJ Corner, RNJ Editorial Board Member, Leslie Neal-Boylan, PhD APRN CRRN FAAN, provides tips for honing in on your manuscript submission process—starting with the planning.

Contribute to your specialty and gain leadership experience by volunteering with ARN! ARN members are qualified to participate in the open Call for Volunteers. You don't have to be an expert – you just need to dedicate some time! There are many ways for you to get involved, based on your expertise and the amount of time you wish to commit.

For many, it was a manager or colleague who introduced you to rehabilitation nursing certification and your first thought might have been, "Why would I want to spend the time or money to get certified?" Your life was busy with family, work, friends—who needs another "to do?" Eventually, you succumbed to encouragement and cajoling, and then took the exam. When you passed, you felt a sense of pride and accomplishment because becoming a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN^®) is a tangible validation of your professional standing as an experienced rehabilitation nurse with a documented level of knowledge and a commitment to patient care.

ARN members are invited to participate in the First Annual Pediatric Orthopedic Symposium, which will be presented virtually by Hackensack Meridian Children's Health on September 15, 2020, 3-8:15 pm CT. This pediatric orthopedic symposium was designed collaboratively to provide physicians, rehabilitation therapists, PAs, APNs, RNs and other healthcare providers with an increased understanding of treating musculoskeletal challenges in the pediatric population. This course will provide participants with an appreciation of prompt diagnostic identification, new surgical interventions, and best practice intervention management.  

ARN will host a virtual Q & A with rehabilitation nursing expert Michele Cournan, DNP RN ANP-BC FNP CRRN, to answer questions from ARN members and the rehab nursing community about the COVID-19 healthcare crisis. This may include discussion on various topics such as caregiver training, guidelines for COVID-19 testing, team management strategies, etc.

When registering, you also will have the chance to suggest questions you would like to hear addressed during the live event.

We're recording! If you miss the live event, you can catch up on demand. 

On July 15, the Coalition to Preserve Rehabilitation (CPR, of which ARN is a member) submitted a letter to Congress requesting that the next COVID legislative package include a "reset" of the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation (IMPACT) Act. The IMPACT Act, enacted in 2014, requires that CMS work to implement a unified payment system for all four settings of post-acute care (SNFs, IRFs, HHAs, and LTCHs). Due to the recent implementation of new individual payment systems and policies in PAC settings and the ongoing impact of the COVID pandemic, CPR and other stakeholders have requested that Congress reset the timeline of the IMPACT Act and reevaluate whether a unified PAC payment system is appropriate for beneficiaries in need of post-acute care. Read the full letter.

Last week the U.S. reported the largest single-day spikes of new COVID-19 cases in any country since the pandemic started, with 41 out of 50 states reporting rising infections over the past several weeks. More than 60,500 new cases were reported on Thursday July 9 alone, according to reporting by Reuters.

The Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) contains educational content that focuses on contemporary rehabilitation nursing practice across the continuum of care and the lifespan. The journal is published every other month and provides opportunities for professional development, as well as a forum for the dissemination of information pertinent to practice, education, research, and administration. RNJ editors strive to provide a journal that disseminates timely information and new trends in practice each issue.

In this issue of RNJ Corner, RNJ Editorial Board Member, Laura Dzurec, PhD PMHCNS-BC ANEF FAAN, provides tips for conducting manuscript reviews.

If you are an ARN member or a Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) subscriber, you should soon receive your July/August 2020 issue in the mail. Check out a preview of three great articles that will be gracing the pages of this issue, or visit the journal online to read the full issue.  

 Tackling a manuscript review can seem like a daunting task. Through preparation and up-front organization, though, you can simplify the review process. Here are some tips that have been helpful to me.

To celebrate the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale on May 12, 2020, we invited you to make a donation to honor a nurse or organization for their outstanding work. Thank you to the following honorees, that have clearly made an impact both on their patients and on those who donated in their honor.

Thank you to ARN member Jennifer Riccobono-Nichols, BSN RN PHN CRRN, for sharing this powerful reflection. Jennifer is a proud rehabilitation nurse who currently works in Monterey, California - at the William R. Lewis, MD Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit - Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. ARN members can connect with Jennifer in Member Circle.

 Read the latest in health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

Last May I was privileged to visit the Florence Nightingale Museum in London. Walking through Florence's era of nursing was fascinating and thought-provoking. During that month there was a special exhibit about the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918–1919. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine a pandemic in 2020.

 The ARN Fellowship Program launched in 2019 to celebrate the Association's 45th anniversary. The inaugural class of fellows included 15 long-standing members of ARN. The ARN Fellow Designation (FARN) is the most distinguished level of membership, as well as a public hallmark of professional esteem.

ARN members are invited to a town hall event on June 23 with the association's President Barbara J. Lutz, PhD RN CRRN PHNA-BC FAHA FAAN. Barb will address the latest updates and answer your questions about REACH 2020, COVID-19's ongoing impact on practice, and more.

ARN understands that its members have varied schedules and shifts. To make this town hall event accessible to as many members as possible, Barb will present and answer questions on Tuesday, June 23, at 7:30 am CST/8:30 am EST and again at 4 pm CST/5 pm EST. To sign up in advance and get access information sent directly to your inbox, complete this registration form. When completing the form, you will also have the chance to suggest questions you would like to hear addressed during the live event. 

As the COVID-19 health crisis continues, many post-acute rehab facilities are preparing for, or are actively managing, an influx of COVID-19 admissions to their facilities. This expected increase in admissions will impact patient care, staff safety, and discharge protocols in a significant way.

​ARN and MedBridge co-hosted a free webinar, "Prep for COVID-19 Admissions & Patient Care in Rehab Facilities: Panel Discussion," on June 4. If you missed attending the webinar, you can still access the recording completely free!

Visit the Medbridge site for the free recording.

The following message was issued by ARN leadership to members on June 5, 2020. 

Read the latest in health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses. 

If you are an ARN member or a Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) subscriber, you should soon receive your May/June 2020 issue in the mail. Check out a preview of three great articles that will be gracing the pages of this issue, or visit the journal online to read the full issue.

This year, things are going to look a bit different. We still want you to be able to show off all your hard work without the extra worry. For ARN REACH 2020, you will not be required to physically attend the conference to present a poster, paper, or case study abstract.

 ARN publishes Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) six times each year using an external publisher, currently Lippincott Williams & Wilkins in Philadelphia. The journal is provided to all ARN members as a benefit of membership; it is also sold on a subscription basis to individuals, organizations, and libraries in the United States and foreign countries.