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Rehabilitation Nurse


How to Become a Rehabilitation Nurse
Rehabilitation Nurse Job Duties
Skills and Qualities of a Rehabilitation Nurse
Rehabilitation Nurse Salaries
Influential Professional Rehabilitation Nurses
Leading Organizations for Rehabilitation Nurses
Top Cities for Rehabilitation Nurse Jobs
Other Careers of Interest

How to become a Rehabilitation Nurse

The first step in starting a career as a rehabilitation nurse is to become a registered nurse. Each state varies in terms of the exact requirements, so make sure to verify the requirements for individual states.

There are a few different ways to become a registered nurse. The preferred way is to attend an accredited college or university that offers a bachelor's degree in nursing. Candidates who wish to become a rehabilitation nurse can also obtain an associate's degree in nursing. A candidate may participate in a diploma training program at a hospital as a third option. While most hospitals and organizations will prefer the bachelor's degree,A all three options are considered acceptable for entry-level positions.

Once the education has been completed, the candidate will then need to complete their licensure. Regardless of the state, the NCLEX-RN examination must be taken in order to become a registered nurse.

Upon completion of the licensing, the registered nurse will want to become certified in rehabilitation nursing. This certification is known as the Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse, or CRRN. This will provide the rehabilitation nurse with the specific skills required to experience true success in his or her career by increasing the level of knowledge. The certification will also show potential employers the level of seriousness about a particular field and the level of care that will be provided.

Before being allowed to take the examination, a candidate is required to complete a few years of actual clinical work with patients in order to qualify.

What does a Rehabilitation Nurse do?

A rehabilitation nurse can be found in a variety of settings. They can work directly in a hospital or sign on at an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation center. Rehabilitation nurses can also work at long-term care facilities and for private practices. A rehabilitation nurse can even be found working for an insurance company.

Among the many things that a rehabilitation nurse will find themselves doing is helping a patient that has some type of disability or illness that limits normal day-to-day functioning. They will likely help the patient to learn how to live with the disability through treatment.

A rehabilitation nurse might also work with a recovering patient. Perhaps this could include recovery from a trauma, a broken leg, or even some type of surgery. The purpose of the rehabilitation nurse is to help avoid potential complications. A rehabilitation nurse could find themselves working with anyone from an infant to an elderly person.

What skills or qualities do I need to become a Rehabilitation Nurse?

A rehabilitation nurse will need to be prepared for patients who are difficult or who are experiencing large amounts of grief. It will be up to them to help the patient learn to deal with their issue or recover from it.

It is not unlikely for a rehabilitation nurse to have several patients to care for. They need to be extremely organized to make sure that everyone receives the correct care in a timely manner. A rehabilitation nurse will need to make independent decisions when dealing with a patient. It is important that a successful rehabilitation nurse be able to accomplish this in a well thought out way through the application of excellent problem-solving skills.

Someone looking to become a rehabilitation nurse should have the desire to want to make a difference in people's lives. This is one of the most rewarding aspects for this challenging occupation.

How much does a Rehabilitation Nurse make?

In May 2006, the median income for a rehabilitation nurse was $57,280. Persons between the 25th and 75th percentiles earned a salary in the range of $47,710 to $69,850. Rehabilitation nurses in the top ten percent earned more than $83,440 while people in the bottom ten percent earned less than $40,250.

Salary will vary for a rehabilitation nurse based on their qualifications. Depending on where the rehabilitation nurse may work, salary may also be affected. Generally, a rehabilitation nurse will earn less at a nursing care facility and more at a hospital.

Who are some influential professionals in this field?

Dr. Edward B. Healton serves on the Board of Directors for the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) located in Washington, D.C. Dr. Healton joined the National Rehabilitation Hospital in 2000 after more than 30 years of previous clinical experience. He is also a chairperson for the Rehabilitation Department at Georgetown University's Medical Center. Before he joined NRH, Dr. Healton was a clinical professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Healton has also published numerous works on topics, such as cerebrovascular disease and hypertension.

Dr. David L. Rosenbloom serves as a chairperson on the Board of Directors for the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Dr. Rosenbloom received a doctoral degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1970. He currently is a professor at Boston University where he teaches public health. He is an advocate of rehabilitation, including drug and substance abuse rehabilitation.

What are some leading organizations in this field?

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, or ARN, was established to advance the field of rehabilitation nursing and promote its benefits. ARN is responsible for research and advocacy in order to accomplish their goal of improving the lives of those suffering from a disability or illness. They also offer certification for registered nurses who are interested in specializing in rehabilitation nursing.

The Rehabilitation Research Center, located at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, works to improve the outcomes of debilitating injuries through better research. They specialize in brain and spinal cord trauma. Funding is provided through a division of the United States Department of Education known as the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

What are the top cities for Rehabilitation Nurse jobs?

One of the top cities for employment opportunities, relating to rehabilitation nursing, is Dallas, Texas. Numerous positions are also available in Chicago, Illinois. Other major cities that have a large number of rehabilitation nursing opportunities include Houston, Texas and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Several cities in Florida also offer a variety of positions for a rehabilitation nurse, including Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, and St. Petersburg.

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