How to Become a Rehab Nurse

Do you believe in the power of second chances? As a rehab nurse, you’ll help patients through some of the most challenging journeys of their lives, turning setbacks into comebacks. Whether it’s helping a stroke survivor walk again or supporting a patient adapting to life with a prosthetic limb, rehabilitation nurses are true catalysts for healing and progress.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a career that combines medical expertise with the opportunity to inspire resilience and witness the incredible strength of the human spirit, rehab nursing may be a great fit for you. This guide will take you through everything you need to know to get started, from education and certification to salary expectations and job opportunities.
Rehab Nurse: Career Snapshot
- Mission: Support patients in improving their quality of life after illness, injury, or surgery.
- Responsibilities: Develop recovery plans, administer medications, deliver prescribed treatment procedures, and educate patients on managing conditions.
- Workplaces: Rehabilitation centers, hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare settings.
- Education: Earn a nursing degree, pass the licensure exam, and pursue optional certification in rehabilitation nursing.
- Timeline: Approximately 2 to 4 years.
What Is a Rehab RN?
A rehabilitation nurse is a post-acute care professional who works with patients recovering from injuries, illnesses, surgeries, or disabilities, assisting them through the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges of their healing journeys.
Every day in the life of a rehab nurse is different, as you’ll be working with a diverse group of patients, including those recovering from neurological conditions, orthopedic trauma, and other specialized care needs. Here are some common conditions that may require rehabilitative care:
Category | Examples of conditions |
---|---|
Injuries and trauma |
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Mobility-related diseases and conditions |
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Post-surgery or treatment |
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Secondary conditions |
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Rehab Nurse Roles and Responsibilities
Whether they’re working in a hospital or outpatient setting, these nurses focus on helping patients recover. Your daily responsibilities will include performing standard nursing tasks common across all specialties, such as conducting head-to-toe assessments, administering medications, and documenting patient progress. In addition, you’ll also perform specialty-specific tasks, such as:
- Creating personalized care plans based on patients’ rehabilitation needs.
- Assisting patients with physical therapy exercises and mobility training.
- Educating patients and their families on the rehabilitation process, exercises, and lifestyle modifications.
- Teaching patients how to use assistive devices like prosthetics, wheelchairs, or mobility aids.
- Encouraging patients to develop self-care skills for daily activities such as dressing, feeding, and bathing.
- Assessing and managing pain during the recovery process.
- Working with physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other specialists to deliver comprehensive care.
- Preventing complications like pressure ulcers, deep vein thrombosis, or respiratory issues.
- Using therapeutic communication techniques to ease patient anxiety related to potential long-term complications.
- Fostering patients’ sense of self-efficacy to empower them to actively engage in their recovery.
Where Can a Rehabilitation Nurse Work?
As a nursing rehab specialist, you’ll have the opportunity to practice in a variety of settings, from hospitals to outpatient clinics. Here are some of the places you might work:
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Rehabilitation units in hospitals
- Skilled nursing and assisted living facilities
- Home healthcare agencies
- Sports medicine clinics
- Burn centers
- Neurorestorative care facilities
- VA clinics
- Rehab nursing home facilities
- Long-term care facilities
How to Become a Rehab Nurse: 6 Steps
Excited to learn how to enter the rehab nursing specialty? Let’s explore the key steps to start your journey as a rehabilitation professional.
1. Earn a Nursing Degree
Your first step is to earn a nursing degree from an accredited program. You can choose between an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which typically takes two years, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which takes about four years. Each school has its own admission requirements, which could include completing prerequisite courses and passing a nursing entrance exam.
2. Obtain Licensure
After graduating from your nursing program, the next step is to take the NCLEX-RN. This exam evaluates everything you’ve learned in school, from clinical skills to theoretical knowledge, ensuring you’re ready to practice nursing safely. Once you pass and submit the application for licensure to your state board of nursing, you’ll receive your well-deserved RN license.
3. Gain Clinical Experience
Your rehab nursing career could begin as soon as you graduate, but some nurses prefer to gain experience in general clinical or hospital settings first. These specialties are excellent for developing a versatile skill set that applies to almost any nursing role:
4. Attain Certification (Optional)
Want to take your rehab nursing career to the next level? Earning the Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) credential from the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) can set you apart as an expert in your specialty. Here is what you need to qualify for this certification:
- Have a current and unrestricted RN license.
- Gain at least 2 years of experience in rehab nursing within the past 5 years.
- Complete a year of specialty nursing practice and advanced post-bachelor’s study in the same timeframe.
Here are some other relevant credentials to explore:
- Advanced Stroke Life Support (ASLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN)
- Emergency Neurological Life Support (ENLS)
- NIH Stroke Certification
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
- Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)
- Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN)
- Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
5. Advance Further With Continuing Education (Optional)
Professional growth in nursing is an ongoing journey that requires a commitment to lifelong learning. Keep advancing your practice by attending industry conferences, joining professional organizations, and taking continuing education courses. By investing in your professional development, you’ll not only enhance your practice but also open doors to leadership roles and career advancement opportunities.
6. Pursue Advanced Education (Optional)
Want to reach new heights in your nursing career? Advanced degrees like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree can take you there — whether it’s stepping into a leadership role, becoming a nurse practitioner, or mentoring the next generation of nurses. Although this step isn’t required to enter this field, it can take your career to new heights.
What Is a Typical Rehab Nurse Salary?
The average RN salary in the U.S. is $94,480 per year, or $45.42 per hour. However, this figure can vary widely based on factors such as location, years of experience, specialty, and workplace setting. If you’re aiming for a higher paycheck, consider submitting your RN resume to employers in one of these high-paying states:
Frequently Asked Questions About Rehab Nursing
Is rehab nursing physically demanding?
Yes, this specialty can be physically demanding, as it involves assisting patients with mobility exercises, physical therapy, and daily activities like dressing and bathing. Nurses in this field need to have stamina and be able to help patients with these physical tasks. Additionally, you’ll need to learn how to use assistive devices like Hoyer lifts.
What is a drug rehab nurse?
This term refers to a substance abuse nurse, who specializes in providing care to individuals recovering from addiction to drugs and alcohol. These nurses work in various rehabilitation settings, such as inpatient drug rehab centers, outpatient clinics, detoxification units, and residential treatment facilities.
What’s the job outlook for rehabilitation nurses?
The demand for registered nurses is expected to grow by 6% in the next decade. This number may be even higher for rehabilitation professionals due to the aging population and the increasing need for care in managing chronic illnesses and disabilities.
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