Any advanced practice rehab nurses in Ohio

[hollierncrrn]

I am currently contemplating returning to school for my MSN. I currently work in an acute rehab and love it!!! I do have some questions about further education. It's not that I don't love where I work or what I do, but I am thinking about my future as well.

1. I have some Would I be better off becoming a NP or CNS?

2. What area would I need to specialize in (I have not found any rehab specific programs). I was thinking it would probably be adult care or geriatrics.

3. What are your roles as an AP nurse in rehabilitation?

4. Do you know of any good online ADN to MSN programs?

Also posted in rehab nursing and Ohio sections

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

Not from Ohio, but from Michigan. Worked in PM&R the first year and a half after NP school, so if you don't mind, I'll share my thoughts.

1. The CNS role in the free-standing acute rehab hospital I worked for was strictly nursing-focused. The CNS acted as a clinical nursing expert and was the go-to resource person for the nursing staff. The CNS was responsible for formulating nursing policies and procedures pertaining to things like wound care, bladder and bowel training, and things of that sort. Nurses were able to independently order treatments pertaining to these nursing issues because the CNS has a policy in place for them. The CNS also kept the nursing staff up to date on their licensure, BLS certification (and some CRRN), and other unit-related training.

The NP's, on the other hand, worked closely with the physician team which included the Staff Physiatrist and Staff Consultant in Internal Medicine. Anything medical, the NP addressed inclusing ordering labs, meds, glycemic control, consults to other physician specialists, etc. The role was very similar to the house officer or resident.

That said, you'll have to A: figure out how your state defines the CNS role (it could be similar to an NP), and B: decide on whether you want and advanced practice focus on nursing alone or with the medical apsect of rehab as well.

2. To me ANP or ACNP is sufficient. If the setting admits pediatric patients as well, FNP is a better option. The rehab hospital I worked for only admitted adult patients so as an ACNP, I was OK. There is no NP certification exam for rehab and there is no program that I know of that specifically trains APN's for rehab alone. A while back, the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses offered CRRN-A certification exam but I believe that's been discontinued. The CRRN-A exam is for APN's (CNS or NP) who work in rehab. However, I don't recall any state BON recognizing the certification for state licensure or CMS recognizing the credential for eligibility to bill.

3. I described those in number 1.

4. I know of some locally, but not ones in Ohio, sorry.