rehab nurse schooling

[cardiacnurse1988]

hey i was just wondering if you need to have your associate or bachelors in order to become a CRRN. And if you do work in a rehab setting can you just work on physical disabilities like a physical therapist? thank you

[SitcomNurse, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN]

According to the Assn. for Rehab Nursing:

Certification

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the CRRN examination must have:

1. Current, unrestricted RN license

2. Completion of at least one of the following at the time of application:

*Within the five years preceding the examination, completion of two years of practice as a registered professional nurse in rehabilitation nursing; or

*Within the five years preceding the examination, completion of one year of practice as a registered professional nurse in rehabilitation nursing and one year of advanced study (beyond baccalaureate) in nursing.

Where you go to work is up to you entirely.

I work LTC. Others work Cardiac Rehab, hospital rehab, there are many areas you can get into.

Definition and Scope

That is a link to a definition and scope of practice for CRRN.

The ANCC recently stopped certifying the Cardiac Rehab Nurse. There is call for it - and not call, state to state. Check your state requirements too before you go for a certification you do not need.

The only thing I needed for my Rehab Nurse position was a Gerontology degree.

Of course needing a certification and having one may be the difference in a job you want. Jobs may take someone in process because they can pay them less to start, rather than someone who has the certifications and gets paid higher right off the bat.

Good luck!