A Rehabilitation Nurse is a RN that deals with patients who have
been incapacitated from a severe injury or a serious illness. The
responsibility of a Rehabilitation Nurse is to assist their patient
in a rehabilitation program that will help them regain strength and
ordinary life functions.
As a Rehabilitation Nurse, one will be asked to perform basic
duties such as charting, cleaning wounds, assisting their patient
to the restroom, bathing the patient, and administering
medications. Depending on the severity of the injury or illness,
the Rehabilitation Nurse may have to help their patient learn to
walk, talk, read, write, or even eat again. A Rehabilitation Nurse
needs to be someone who is compassionate and willing to help those
who are less fortunate than themselves. Patience is another quality
that is important for this type of job. The Rehabilitation Nurse
may be required to help the patient learn to use a prosthetic limb,
wheel chair, or a ventilator. There are many possible job duties
that a Rehabilitation Nurse may be required to perform. It may take
months or even years for a person to progress through a
rehabilitation program. Their nurse needs to be someone who can
lighten the mood of the injured or ill person. The Rehabilitation
Nurse is also responsible for keeping charts updated on the
progress of the patient. They may require a team of nurses to
oversee and support the patient.
One can start their career as a Rehabilitation Nurse in a
hospital, clinic, or even in the home of the injured or ill person.
Nursing homes may also employ Rehabilitation Nurses to aid the
elderly, or those who have traumatic brain injuries. In order to
qualify as a Rehabilitation Nurse, a person must become Board
Certified. The nurse must become registered, and should have a BSN
or Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree at a minimum.
Just starting out, a Rehabilitation Nurse can earn as much as
$60,000 per year. After they become more experienced, the average
salary is between $70,000 and $80,000 annually. Most Rehabilitation
Nurses are offered benefits such as insurance, 401K, sick leave,
vacation, and even tuition reimbursement. Rehabilitation Nursing is
a promising career for an established future.
