What does a rehab nurse do?? New hired rehab RN here.

Specialties Rehabilitation

Published

Hi nurses,

I'm a new grad that got hired as a new Rehab RN at a hospital. The unit seems to get a lot of ortho and stroke patients with many physical and occupational therapists involved.

I don't know much about rehab nursing. I originally wanted medsurg, but the job market is still pretty bad. What are some of the things rehab nurses do?? What labs and drugs should I review before starting work, and what skills?? Is there a lot of lifting involved :crying2:? I heard the nurses need to know FIM assessments, what is that? :confused: I'd appreciate any information!!!

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I have done many of the things that have been posted here, but rehabs in general do not hang blood, have telemetry to worry about, this is because the patient's should be more stable than that.
The rehabilitation facility where I am employed most definitely requires us to administer blood products. In addition, hemodialysis is administered here so as to avoid sending patients out to a freestanding dialysis center.
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So far I feel like I'm attached to my med cart...6 am punch in and get report, 7 am start IV antibiotics (because god help me if the IV pump will let me start the bag on the first attempt...usually it gives me at least 3 errors before it will start), 8 am med pass (at least I finished at 10 am today) then start my assessments and documentation until 11am...then off I go on another med pass...switching IV antibiotics as I pass by Patient A's room....finish at 1215 unless Patient C needs pain meds then it will be 1230. Lunch and then more charting until 130 pm then 2pm med pass which I'll finish at 220pm just in time to finalize my assessments and sign and lock my charting for the day (8 hour days on orientation). I finished on time today but most of the week I've been stuck there until 3pm...yep I've become attached to my med cart. On the positive side I've lost 5 lbs from all the walking :)

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As a RN, are you in more of a supervisor position?

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Hello,

I'm a newly graduated RN.

I have finished my BSN in 2015 from India and i get in USA

And in December 17 i have cleared my NCLEX exam.

I had a long wait for my license to come for some reasons.

Now finally i got a job.

It's rehabilitation center but it's 5 star facility.

I have finished my week of orientation but still i frel lik I'm blank.

Many things I don't understand

I cry alot

It's really hard for me in this country because everything is new for me. Starting from language to techniques of treatment rules regulations and everything.

I never did a job before in hospital so this set up is really new for me.

I have four weeks of training and now only 3 left

Don't know what to do

I'm thinking that I'm not going to make it.

My preceptor and co workers are good but they are always in rush they don't teach me that deep what I really need to.

Please anyone have any suggestions for me,

I was thinking that after orientation if I'm not able to do this

I will quite and find somewhere in day care center first as a start.

But on the other side also think that what if i m not good at there too.

Too much stress

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