Here's what restorative nurses can do
Guidelines aid staff understanding
SantaFe HomeCare in Gainesville, FL, provided this description of the restorative nurse's role as a handout at its first inservice for the restorative program:
* Promote preventive rehabilitation nursing interventions to ensure clients attain maximum functional capacities, avoid further disability, and prevent complications.
* Serve as an advocate for the client and family, and act as an agency for change to empower client and family to evaluate options and plan outcomes; involves clients and families as copartners with professionals to accomplish mutually established goals.
* Serve as a team builder among professional colleagues and collaborate among various disciplines.
* Serve as an educator, consultant, and case manager.
* Continue programs initiated in either rehab facilities, outpatient programs, or long-term care settings.
* Promote autonomy, independence, and community reintegration.
* Continue rehabilitation established by physical and occupational therapy, work in conjunction with therapy, train and supervise home care aides in therapy plans, and utilize all disciplines to achieve total rehabilitation goals. *
The following are some of our sources for our article on training restorative nurses and aides:
* Mary Alice Culler, RN, BSN, Director, Northern Hospital Home Care, 933 Old Rockford St., Mount Airy, NC 27030. Telephone: (910) 719-7434. Fax: (910) 719-7435.
* Hilda Wright, RN, BSN, Rehabilitation Supervisor, Northern Hospital Home Care, 933 Old Rockford St., Mount Airy, NC 27030. Telephone: (910) 719-7434 Fax: (910) 719-7435.
* Judy Varady, RN, BSN, Nurse Coordinator, SantaFe HomeCare, 8900 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32606. Telephone: (352) 338-2189 Fax: (904) 338-6732.
* Marcy Rothfuss, BSN, CRRN, Rehabilitative Manager, Susquehanna Regional Home Health Services, 1201 Grampian Blvd., Suite 3A, Williamsport, PA 17701. Telephone: (717) 323-9891 Fax: (717) 323-0716.