Rehabilitation nurses work with patients who are recovering from chronic illnesses, injuries or disabilities. Nurses help patients transition to further independence, build strength and mobility, and adapt to their situations in order to care for themselves as much as possible.

Rehabilitation nurses work in hospitals, transitional care facilities, and in patients' homes. They look at patients holistically to best care for their patients, providing support physically, emotionally, and spiritually, to ensure the patients are prepared to take care of themselves when they need to. This means nurses have to be patient and compassionate, but should also know when to push their patients in order for them to progress and recover.

Nurses' skills include basic nursing care, such as changing dressings and taking vitals, as well as physical and occupational therapy, and helping patients with daily activities such as bathing and dressing.

Rehabilitation Nursing Theories and Models

• Erickson's Modeling and Role Modeling Theory
• King's Theory of Goal Attainment
• Neuman's Systems Model
• Orem's Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory
• Orlando's Nursing Process Discipline Theory
• Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations
• Parse's Human Becoming Theory
• Rogers' Theory of Unitary Human Beings
• Roy's Adaptation Model of Nursing
• Kolcaba's Theory of Comfort
• Watson's Philosophy and Science of Caring
• Nightingale's Environment Theory
• Pender's Health Promotion Model
• Roper-Logan-Tierney's Model for Nursing Based on a Model of Living
• Mercer's Maternal Role Attainment Theory
• Henderson's Nursing Need Theory