SPECIALTY INFO REQUEST

Cindy_A · Aug 8, 2000

I would be interested if nurses would also reply here. I am going to be entering an R. N. program in the fall, and the field of rehabiltation nursing looks very interesting. I would like to hear more about it. Thanks!

HappyNurseMom · Dec 1, 2000

Where to start! Once you become a Rehab nurse there is little that compare! There are drawbacks of course and trade offs that every nurse has to make but Rehab IMHO blends the team concept better than any. I have worked Rehab for 7 years the past 5 I have been a CRRN, I filled the Pt/staff education role for 2 yrs, currently working part-time as Eve shift charge (to be able to mommie my little ones).

The best thing about rehab is the plain and simple fact that the majority of your patients get better, go home and lead productive lives and knowing that YOU impacted that outcome. You will do everything from complete and total care for a pt to just walking beside that very same person in a short time. You get to know your pt on a more personal level than possible with acute care. You begin to take pride in the fact that you were part of the team the kept someones grandma from the nursing home, got a father of two young children back to the soccer games. You learn the fine art of caring and supporting the pt and family if grandma just can not go home alone, you learn to problem solve and to try different ways to get the same job done. Hey just email me and I'll go on on on and on over the joys of working rehab!

Skywatcher · Sep 2, 2001

:) Rehab Nursing is a great field, esp. if you enjoy geriatrics. I have been in rehab nursing for a few years now and I love it. Of course you do get the problems with short staffing and the frustration of not being able to spend as much time with your patient as you want to, but all in all it is wonderful because you get to see an outcome. You interact with the patient and their families. I see the heartache of the older generation with no family and their loneliness, and the ones whose family is too busy to even come and see them and they know they are nursing home bound. BUT, the greatest thing, is seeing someone come to our unit stretcher bound and walk out. There is nothing like it. Sorry to be so long winded. If you want more info, e-mail me.

CashewLPN, LPN · Sep 2, 2001

Hello....

My name is Barbara, and I am a rehabilitation staff LPN.

I work side by side with RN's and CNA's. We get the job done, and well...

Our rehab facility's unofficial motto is 'we will rehab anyone, regardless of age or prognosis. If if breathes, it can be rehabbed'

On the unit we do Cardiac, Orthopedic, and Neurologic rehab. We're also cross trained to do Medsurg...

okay-- enough rhetoric...

I love rehab because I know I am helping people get better... And-- I can see the improvements day to day... its really amazing. To hear a pt with Left sided brain injury spontaneously curse her first dropped cup of water is so often a miracle, you commend her-- as all she could do last week was grunt.... When the guy with the new knee walks towards you asking for a fresh gown-- when 2 days ago he could not get out of bed... Amazing, really....

And so much more, I couldnt ever express...

I wish I could tell you about how good I feel some days after leaving, but I could never express it in words effectively....

ok... until later...

Feel free to PM or e-mail me

--Barbara

Moderator of Rehab Nursing/LPN Corner

OHmom2boys · Jun 9, 2002

Hi,

This is my first post here. I really, really want to get into rehab nursing. I will finish an LPN program late July. I plan to continue to RN.

Are there any special classes or education required to becoming a rehab nurse?

I love the idea of rehab nursing. My son spent two months on a rehab unit at Children's Hospital after an anoxic brain injury. The nurses were wonderful to us. They would make me take breaks and when I came back, I would find an RN lying in bed with my son reading to him. :) Some would just sit with me in the wee hours of the night and let me cry. They have the opportunity to develop relationships with their patients and they have the power to make a difference. I want to be that kind of nurse. I want to make a positive difference for my patients. I have had some nurses look at me like I'm crazy when I say these things. I know they are overworked, but it only takes an extra minute, or that extra word of comfort to make a difference. From a mom who's been there, those little things make a HUGE difference.

Pediatric rehab is my dream. That or neurology. I love both areas.

Thanks for any suggestions on education.

CashewLPN, LPN · Jun 9, 2002

for rehab, there are no special courses to begin working on the unit... although, the facility where you work might desire a BCLS course, First Aid (most units want that)

but, in addition, as a nurse, you might have to take classes/inservices on case management, body mechanics, odd disease processes...

but, to start.... just a nursing lic. will do...

--Barbara

rehabicp · Jul 3, 2002

Rehab nursing is ideal for anyone that really wants to focus on persons and how they adapt / respond to health problems. The biggest difference is the mind set of 'how can I best teach you how to take care of this' versus 'what do I need to do to take care of this' -- whatever this is.

I would suggest getting a copy of the Core Curriculum from ARN (the association of rehabilitation nurses) to get an idea of what is covered.

Rehab nurses can work in any setting tho most are in inpatient settings - acute, sub-acute (not as common I think now), and long-term.

My own practice includes spinal cord, stroke, arthritis, solid organ transplant, burn, brain injury, and pediatric acquired.

The part I love - hearing from past patients that are doing well at home that call to say I helped make the difference.

The part that depresses - feeling if only there was a little more time/ money/ equipment / whatever, I could make a difference but the resources just aren't available for whatever reason.

I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in nursing for 'all the reasons you become a nurse'.

jevans · Jul 7, 2002

I recently gave a presentation about the role of the rehab nurse, spent some time collating my thought about a definition and this is what I came up with-

" Rehab Nursing is Unique!

It embraces the holistic approach to care that recognises the individual's uniqueness, respects their life experience and facilitates the person to physical and emotional well being through appropriate and timely intervention tailored to the person's changing needs"

Hope this helps

J

jevans · Jul 7, 2002

MANY APOLOGIES:imbar

I work in astroke unit for adults of all ages.

AND FOLKS I LUV MY JOB

j

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2002

That's a great definition J!

Can anyone recommend a good rehab reference book. One that is really comprehensive, covering brain injuries, stroke, swallowing disorders, ortho/trauma rehab, and cardiac rehab??

I would really like to have a comprehensive rehab book on hand, and w/o having a large selection at the library or B&N stores, I would like personal recommendations.

Thanks!!

jhf0174 · Aug 1, 2002

Hi! I've been doing Rehab Subacute for the past 14 months and love it! I love to watch the rapid improvements patients make, and even more importantly, I love the positive attitudes the patients have! We have brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, hip and knee replacements, stroke victims, immobility syndrome, to name a few, trachs, and a wide range of ages. Most patients are in their 20's to 80's, although we do get the occasional pediatric. The avg is probably around 40 to 50. What do we do? We focus on every part of the person, body system by body system and, and have a very TEAM-ORIENTED approach. Everyone - nursing, therapy, physicians, patients, family, etc - is very involved in the planning, which starts prior to admit, all the way through to the discharge. There are several new Rehab Subacute facilities that have opened within 20 miles of us in the past year. They are all fighting for the patients, now, but there seem to be enough to go around! I love it! It's a little more laid-back than Med-Surg, although we do have our crisis, and a lot more family-like. We get to know the patient very well - not just teach a paraplegic to cath themself, but learn the ins and outs of what their life was like before admit and what they expect it to be like after discharge. I really like the respect we get from the docs, which is totally unlike everywhere else I've worked (M/S and LTC). There is an accreditation that RNs can get after working Rehab for 2 years, but it is not required and not available for LPNs. In southern IN/northern KY, you would be hired right out of school, LPN or RN. In fact, if you want to work as an Advanced Nursing Assistant while you go to school, our facility has a terrific tuition reimbursement program. :)