COURSE SYLLABUS: Community Based Rehabilitation Nursing
Course Title:
NUR424 - Community Based Rehabilitation Nursing
Department:
Nursing
Instructor:
Leah M. Klein, BSN, MSCI, MSSW, RN, LMSW, LCSW - E-mail
| Vita
Introduction:
Congratulations. Achieving a Certificate in Rehabilitation Nursing is a very good career
decision. Today’s employers are searching for nurses who are certified in such specialties, and
rehabilitation nursing is an exciting and rewarding field. Rehabilitation is a team
effort, and certified rehabilitation nurses are important members of that team. Their ability to
communicate well with physicians, physical therapists, social workers, occupational therapists,
vocational counselors and family members is critical to the patient’s recovery of quality of
life. The rehabilitation RN’s knowledge of the psychosocial aspects of illness and injury will
help the team help the patient. And, their health education skills will be valuable in
communications with families.
Rehabilitation is not cure. Rehabilitation is a process, and the goal is to regain a quality
life. As a Certified Rehabilitation Nurse, you will teach your patient to help him/herself,
accept his/her disability, learn new behaviors, change attitudes, develop emotional strengths,
and strive for independence. Rehabilitation is not measured in miles, but inches. For the
patient, It’s learning to transfer from the bed to a wheel chair; it’s coming to terms with a
different image of self; it’s achieving goals thought impossible. It’s regaining a life that’s
meaningful and purposeful.
Rehabilitation nurses find employment in hospitals, clinics and education. You may find yourself
a valuable member of a team at a spinal cord injury outpatient clinic. Or, working with brain
injured patients in a neurobehavioral hospital. You may be employed in home health, assisting
stoke patients towards a better life. The employment areas are varied, challenging and rewarding.
You might choose to participate in community rehabilitation of the chronically mentally ill.
Computers and microchips have revolutionized rehabilitation. The use of lighter metals i.e.,
titanium have made prostheses easier to use. Telecommunications have been developed for the deaf
(TDD) so that they are not isolated from society. Speech communications devices restore
communication between family members and others. Since the early 1980’s, rehabilitation has
evolved as science and technology developed assistive devices to increase independence. The
downside of this is that resources are not available to all that need them. Therefore, the role
of advocate seems to come naturally to rehabilitation nurses and is needed. This course is
designed to teach the Registered Nurse skills in psychosocial assessment, nursing interventions
and advocacy. The nurse who takes this course will learn general concepts of rehabilitation,
patterns of heath and illness, and will become familiar with the rehabilitation Acts passed by
Congress that offer disabled individuals needed services and protection from discrimination in
employment, housing and education.
What is the time frame for completion of this course?
You have 18 months to complete this comprehensive course. Since it is self-paced, you may
progress through the program faster should you wish to do that. After finishing a module and
examination, you may progress to the next module.
When may I start?
You may start anytime after receiving your texts for the module.
What type of exam will I take?
The exams are multiple choice. You will pass the course if you achieve at least 70% correct
answers on the exams. Exams are taken online at the Canyon College web site. You will find the
answers in your texts.
What assignments will I have?
Assignments will be in the format of case studies for each module. You will be asked a specific
question about the case study and you will be asked to write a single paragraph in response.
After you are registered for this course, more information on these assignments will be offered.
Where can I purchase textbooks?
I use texts from various disciplines of the rehabilitation team. You have freedom of choice.
Canyon College has an online bookstore. It is possible to buy very good used copies of texts
from Amazon.com stores. Borders and Hastings bookstores are another possibility. You are
expected to purchase books on your own. Coping with Caregiving by Pirie, can be ordered from
Rhul Press: P.O. Box 8100-153, Amarillo, TX 79114. The texts are excellent resources for your
continued practice.
About the Instructor
My name is Leah Meredith Klein. I graduated with a BSN from Alderson-Broaddus College in
Philippi, West Virginia. I later graduated with a Master of Curriculum and Instruction (in the
field of nursing education) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison at Madison, Wisconsin.
Later, I returned to UW-Madison to complete a Master of Science of Social Work. I have blended
the two fields in case management and rehabilitation during my thirty-year experience in the
fields. My experience has included teaching, research, case management, and private practice
psychotherapy. I am also an avid kayaker and when I’m not at my computer, I’m on the water.
Current Licenses and Certifications:
Registered Nurse—Texas
Licensed Master Social Worker—Texas
Qualified Mental Health Professional—Rehabilitation Specialist
Licensed Clinical Social Worker—Wisconsin
Disaster Mental Health Specialist: American Red Cross
(See vitae)
How can I communicate with other students?
Canyon College has provided an Online Message Board for posting news, events, and matters of
professional interest from/to students.
After registering, you will have access to the virtual classroom: Community Based Rehabilitation
Nursing. You can also access the Chat Room via the classroom at the Canyon College web site.
Prescheduled chats will be scheduled and you will be notified by email so that you can
participate in group discussions, Q & A and networking. More information on these
communication tools will be given after you register.
Course Objectives:
After taking this course, students will be able to:
Identify and discuss the impact of four major rehabilitation laws on individuals and society.
Assess compliance with these laws.
Recognize adjustment as a function of role, values and self-image
Build effective analytical and problem-solving skills.
Compare and contrast gender and cultural acceptance/non-acceptance of disabilities
List resources for assistive devices for mobility, speech and hearing.
Identify psychosocial issues that impede use of assistive devices.
Practice community based mental health rehabilitation
Educate families in reducing environmental obstacles to participation in Activities of Daily
Life (ADL) and help them find needed resources.
Identify five ethical issues in rehabilitation and problem-solve solutions
Describe how assistive technology has impacted lives of the disabled
Use case study examples and apply appropriate clinical decision-making skills
Hours of Study: 120
College credits: 8
Modules: 5
Exams: 4
#1 The New Disability History:American Perspectives (History of Disability) by Paul K Longmore
(Ed.) et al. New York University Press. 2001. ISBN #: 0814785646
#2 Rehabilitation Nursing: Process, Applications and Outcome by
Shirley P. Hoeman. St. Louis. Mosby. 2002. ISBN #: 032301190X
#3 The Rehabilitation Specialist’s Handbook by Jules M. Rothstein, et al. F. A. Davis Pub.
1998. ISBN #: 080360047X
Required Reading for Module #1
Hoeman: Chapters one, three and nine
The Rehabilitation Specialist Handbook: legislation and Acts, first chapter
Course Content:
History of Disability
Discrimination Needs Legislative Relief
Congress Passes the First Rehabilitation Act
Other Rehabilitation Acts Follow
Social Security Definition of Disability
Medicaid: Benefits and Limitations
Private Insurance, HMOs and Managed Care Impact on Treatment
#1 The Spinal Cord Injury Handbook for Patients and Their Families by Richard C. Senelick, M.D.
with Karla Dougherty. HealthSouth Press. 1998. ISBN #: 1891525018
#2 Still Me. By Christopher Reeve. Random House. 1998. ISBN #: 0679452354
#3 Lucky Man — A Memoir. By Michael J. Fox. Hyperion. 2002. ISBN #: 07868676647
#1 Rehabilitation Nursing: Process, Applications and Outcome by
Shirley P. Hoeman. St. Louis. Mosby. 2002. ISBN #: 032301190X
#2 Coping with Caregiving: A Common Sense Approach to Home Care. Inez Pirie, RN (Ret.). Ruhl
Press. 1996. ISBN #: 0965021505 (This text can only be purchased at: Ruhl Press, P.O.
Box 8100-153 Amarillo, TX 79114)
Content:
Cognitive Impairments and Rehabilitation
The Role Stress on Perception and Cognition
Style of Coping
Adaptive and Maladaptive Functioning
Generation and Gender Issues
Caregivers: Methods of Coping
Module 5
1 Cr.
Course Title: Transitions in Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, and Community Based
Care
#1 Assistive Technology by Olson DeRuyter. Mosby, Inc. 2002. ISBN #: 0815146019
#2 Assistive Technology: Matching Device and Consumer for Successful Rehabilitation by Marcia
J. Scherer, (Ed.) APA. 2002. ISBN #: 1557988404
#3 Living in the State of Stuck: How Assistive Technology Impacts the Lives of People with
Disabilities by Marcia J. Scherer. Brookline Books. 2000. ISBN #: 1571290796
Content:
Case Management for Community Rehabilitation
Assistive Devices: Mobility, Speech and Hearing
Cultural and Gender Issues in Technology Acceptance
