Rehabilitation nursing is a rewarding and positive area in which to work. The focus is quite different to many other areas where the emphasis may be on management of acute conditions and finding cures. Here the emphasis is places on the patient, his/her goals and their journey, from dependence upon others, through to the ability to care for themselves and live as independently as possible.

What does a rehabilitation nurse do?
An important part of nursing is not only understanding and empathising with a patient's situation, but also to support them through the process of getting better. Nurses involved in rehabilitation also have a large teaching role. They assist patients to practise new skills and provide education to help them to regain and maintain their health.

The nature of patient's needs often means rehabilitation nurses work inter-dependently with a variety of other health professionals such as physiotherapists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists, as well as the patient's family. Nurses are often the coordinators of the team and a central point for communication and decision making.

Nurses caring for these people must be empathetic, have excellent listening skills and be prepared to be involved. They must have good counselling and problem solving skills and be able to think of inventive ways to enable patients to reach their goals.

Where can rehabilitation nursing take me?
Rehabilitation is undertaken in every setting from home to hospital. Nurses can choose to specialise in all sorts of areas such as cardiac, spinal injuries, mental health, drug and alcohol, stroke, amputation, workplace and sports rehabilitation. It is a good background for nurses interested in moving into areas such as disability services or service provision.

How do I become a rehabilitation nurse?
Nurses wishing to focus on a particular area need to gain specific knowledge and skills. For more information on postgraduate course availability in this area, click here to go to the further education section.

Where can I get more information on rehabilitation nursing?
Visit the Australasian Rehabilitation Nurses' Association website: www.arna.com.au