All Rehabilitation Nursing News

We are pleased to present the July issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses. 

Be part of ARN's 50th rehabilitation nursing conference. Submit your proposals reflective of quality improvement, evidence-based practice, research, education, leadership, and/or program evaluation ARN's 2024 Rehabilitation Nursing Conference in August 2024. This event will be presented in a hybrid setting, both virtually (dates to be announced soon) and in-person (August 11-13) in San Antonio, TX.  

Please join the Chapter Support Committee as we welcome all chapter leaders on August 16, 2023, 9 - 10 AM, for a 1-hour in-person session Providence, RI.

All chapter board members are invited. Meet other board members while you learn from each other in a roundtable setting. 

If you or a colleague have not been receiving emails from ARN consistently, you could be unsubscribed or your employer could have a firewall in place. Learn more about what may be occurring when it comes to receiving emails from ARN to your inbox. 

​ARN heard your feedback and is excited to announce our new Special Interest Groups (SIGs) that will be launching this year at ARN's 2023 Rehabilitation Nursing Conference! ARN has begun focusing all of our existing SIGs into these four (4) SIGs to increase opportunities and engagement within our SIGs.

If you are an ARN member or a Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) subscriber, you should soon receive your July/August issue in the mail. Check out a preview of the articles that will be gracing the pages of this issue or visit the journal online to read the full issue. Also this month, see the NEW cover and logo. 

We are pleased to present the June issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

Register for this year's Annual Member Meeting on Tuesday, June 27, 3 - 4:30 PM CST. Hear from ARN leadership about upcoming initiatives and connect with other members. Register Now

 Cast your vote for the 2024 slate to approve the Board of Directors and Nominating and Leadership Development Committee! 

On June 8, you should have received a ballot via email with the subject line "Your ARN 2024 Board Elections Ballot." This email contains your link to complete a ballot for the 2024 ARN election. If you do not see that email, please check your spam folder, and feel free to reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

​ARN recently sent out a one-question survey asking readers (and non-readers) what topics they would like to see more of in the Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ). See the topics, below, and consider submitting articles to the RNJ! 

Contribute your ideas, review past conference evaluations, recruit speakers, select educational content, and so much more when you join the 2023 Conference Planning Subcommittee. See the qualifications, below, and learn more about how you can volunteer to plan ARN's 2024 Rehabilitation Nursing Conference both virtually and in-person for ARN's 50th conference celebration. Submit your application by June 30th to be considered. 

On June 21, 2023, at 12 PM CST, the ARN Chapter Support Committee invites all chapter leaders and members to the webinar "ARN Education for Chapters" to learn how to develop and present CEUs to your chapter.  

Celebrate accomplishments and recognize your peers or yourself with ARN's Member Awards and Scholarships, now open through June 15, 2023.

ARN Board of Directors President, Maria Radwanski, MSN RN CRRN CMGT-BC FARN, uses this Nurses Month's theme of showcasing descriptive "re"hab nursing verbs and adjectives in action to describe our members and community. Radwanski goes on to discuss "The Present, the New, and the Future of REhabilitation Nursing" in her letter to the membership for this Nurses Month, below. 

We can't wait to see everyone at ARN's 2023 Rehabilitation Nursing Conference! Are you looking to do more than just attend #REHAB2023? Volunteer as a Breakout Moderator! 

This Nurses Month (May 1-31), we are celebrating the incredible work our members, and all nurses, do to support patients and families. May is also Mental Health Awareness month. In line with the American Nurses Association's (ANA) first week of Nurses Month of self-care, ARN joins the conversation to support our rehab nurses in ways to improve your self-care and remind you to put yourself first. 

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) joins the American Nurses Association (ANA) in celebrating Nurses Month this May. While nurses deserve to be recognized more than just one month or a week out of a year, ARN would like to take this time to acknowledge the impact that rehabilitation nurses make throughout the year.

We are pleased to present the April issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

If you are an ARN member or a Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) subscriber, you should soon receive your May/June issue in the mail. Check out a preview of the articles that will be gracing the pages of this issue or visit the journal online to read the full issue.

Rehabilitation is a healthcare service that can help people maximize their physical, cognitive, and emotional functions. A rehabilitation program can benefit patients diagnosed with severe cancer like mesothelioma, a rare form of respiratory cancer.  Meanwhile, you might ask: how can rehabilitation help during a patient's cancer treatment? What rehabilitation therapies exist for people with cancer? 

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) would like to take this week (April 16-22) to recognize our hard working committees and volunteers who make a big difference in the organization and throughout the field of rehabilitation. Hear from President of ARN, Maria Radwanski MSN FARN RN CRRN CMGT-BC, as she pens a letter to our volunteers, and see the list of our committees who move this organization forward through their hard work and efforts. 

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the rehabilitation field? Do you have the skills and experience to help guide the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) towards success? If so, we invite you to consider applying for one of the five open positions on our Board of Directors and Nomination and Leadership Development Committee. Applications are open through April 15. 

Hear from Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) Editor-in-Chief, Pamela Larsen's updates on renaming of the 'This n' That' article, and her encouragement for more clinical consultations to be submitted in a less formal format for the journal. 

On March 15, ARN is opening nominations for both the Board of Directors and Nominating and Leadership Development Committee (NLD) as well as the applications to become a Fellow of ARN (FARN). 

With the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) Board of Directors elections currently open until April 15, we dive into one of our current members who has a unique background to pair with her leadership on the board. The current ARN Board of Directors Secretary-Treasurer, Grace Campbell, PhD MSW RN CNL CRRN FARN, shares a look into her day and proves that no two rehab nursing paths are the same.

We are pleased to present the February issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

ARN is reimagining the SIG structure as we desire to offer more resources and tools that match the needs of our members. Take the survey, below, to tell us about your personal interests in rehabilitation.

On March 14, the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) invited all members to attend "Coffee with the President," a casual chat where ARN Board of Directors President, Maria Radwanski, MSN RN CRRN CMGT-BC FARN, asked members questions, gave organization updates, and opened a safe space to share stories.

If you are an ARN member or a Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) subscriber, you should soon receive your March/April issue in the mail. Check out a preview of the articles that will be gracing the pages of this issue or visit the journal online to read the full issue.

​Thanks to the generous member and nonmember donors who continue to support the mission of the Rehabilitation Nursing Foundation (RNF), the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses' (ARN) Advancing Science and Practice Committee (ASPC) will oversee three (3) new grant opportunities with funding up to $10,000 each! The deadline for all grants is June 1, 2023. 

On January 5, 2023, Congress passed the Dr. Joanne Smith Memorial Rehabilitation Innovation Centers Act of 2022, recognizing a leading class of pioneering rehabilitation research facilities across the country, including TIRR Memorial Hermann, which set the standard for ongoing study and patient care.

Members, join us for a fun, online chat with the current President of the ARN Board of Directors, Maria Radwanski, MSN RN CRRN CMGT-BC FARN! 

We are pleased to present the February issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

We are pleased to present the January issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

The Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB) develops, administers, and evaluates the certification program for rehabilitation nursing. The mission of the RNCB is to promote excellence in care by validating qualifications and specialized knowledge in the rehabilitation nursing specialty. Our RNCB directors are the shepherds of that mission, supporting the more than 13,000 CRRNs and bringing the program into the future so it can continue to serve the rehabilitation nursing community.

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) and the Association Management Center (AMC) are regretful to announce the passing of ARN and AMC co-founder Dagny Engle, RN CAE, on January 2, 2023.  

We are pleased to present the December issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

While the winter season falls upon us with all the sparkle, glitter, and magic of the holidays and the promises that a new year brings, I know that you are hard at work bringing encouragement, empowerment, and hope to your patients and families. The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) is grateful to you for your mentorship, advocacy, and volunteerism as you provide support for your organization, peers, and work colleagues.

This award recognizes a rehabilitation nurse who has demonstrated leadership and collaboration while advocating for outstanding patient care. This award winner has demonstrated leadership and collaboration while advocating for outstanding patient care by improving patient resources, increasing access to care, providing education to elected officials or community members, and more. Congratulations to this year's winner, Denise Comeaux MSN RN CRRN NEA-BC! 

The CRRN Advocacy Award recognizes healthcare organizations that advocate for certification for rehabilitation nurses and provide support to and recognition of certified staff.

This year's winner showed incredible dedication to CRRN certification. Congratulations to Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation!

This award recognizes a nurse who has contributed to the advancement of rehabilitation nursing care through an academic or educational role.

This honor goes to someone who demonstrates leadership ability and effectiveness in the educational development and mentoring of rehabilitation nurses or students and supports the advancement of rehabilitation nurses through continuing or formal education. Congratulations to this year's winner, Yvette Salas, MSN CRRN!

We are pleased to present the November issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

This award recognizes outstanding practice by a rehabilitation nurse in a direct patient care role. This award allows colleagues, family members, or a fellow rehab nurses to nominate someone who they see as going above and beyond in their every day profession. Congratulations to this year's winner, Tianna Fontanez, RN CRRN! 

"We celebrate Veterans Day and all the caregivers who provide rehabilitation programs to our veterans." – Tony Hilton, DrPH RN MSN FNP CRRN

This Veterans Day, the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) would like to thank those who have served our country and shine a light on all our members and nurses who provide care to those who have served. 

In the January/February issue of Rehabilitation Nursing, there will be a new feature titled This n' That. This is an opportunity for you to share stories of your professional experiences. The editorial board and I are 'feeling our way' with this new feature. Sometimes the feature may offer short stories/vignettes from several contributors. Other times, the entire feature may be one story. For instance, in the January/February issue, there is one story on management of a patient with polypharmacy.

The Mary Ann Mikulic Scholarship covers one full hybrid registration fee for a first-time attendee to ARN's Rehabilitation Nursing Conference. Those who applied this year for the scholarship were able to attend the conference both in-person in San Diego and online, for free, to earn continuing education credits and connect with their rehab nursing community. Congratulations to this year's winner, Michelle Hepburn, RN MSN! 

We are pleased to present the October issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

The Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board (RNCB) is applications for four open leadership positions beginning in January 2023 only until this Thursday, October 28. Hear from incoming chairperson, Tracey Connolly, MSN RN AGCNS-BC CRRN WCC, about her personal experience with being on the RNCB. 

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) inducted its class of six Fellows of ARN at the 48th annual Rehabilitation Nursing Conference on Friday, September 23, at the in-person event in San Diego, California. 

The ARN President's Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of rehabilitation nursing and to ARN. The current president at the time may select a recipient for this award, which does not have to be given each year. The President's Award is given at the president's sole discretion, and immediate Past President, Jill Rye, DNP RN CRRN CNL FARN, made her selection during ARN's 2022 Rehab Nursing Conference. 

Congratulations to this year's winner,  Stephanie Vaughn, PhD RN FAHA FARN CRRN!

2022 Distinguished Service Award Winner Selected by the ARN Board of Directors, this award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to rehabilitation nursing and to the organization. This award is given to a member who has demonstrated leadership by participation in ARN activities on a national, regional, and chapter level.

Congratulations to this year's winner, Karen Preston, PHN MS CRRN FIALCP FARN!

We are pleased to present the September issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses. 

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) membership voted to approve new members to their leadership board, who were installed during ARN's 2022 Rehabilitation Nursing Conference on September 23, 2022 in San Diego, CA.

2022-2023 Board of Directors President, Maria Radwanski, MSN RN CRRN FARN, pens her first letter to membership. 

Have you ever considered that we live on the third rock from a giant fireball that spins at a rate of 1,000 miles per hour as it travels 584 million miles a year around that fiery orb? And while that is happening, we have a little spot on this spinning rock that we call our own? In typical fashion, we form a community based on where we live. But just because we live close to others doesn't necessarily mean we act much like a community of connected people. Let's take a look at how we can connect as and to the community.

Dear Colleagues,

It has been my privilege to serve as your ARN President over the last year as we identified opportunities, strengthened our resilience, and enhanced our ability to support you and your patients.

We are excited to share the good news that the ARN membership have resoundingly approved the recently proposed Bylaws changes.

ARN is excited to announce that we are now accepting proposals reflective of quality improvement, evidence-based practice, research, education, leadership, and/or program evaluation for the 2023 Rehabilitation Nursing Conference, which is taking place August 14–18, in Providence, Rhode Island.

ARN wants to be sure that we prepare our members for the upcoming changes the FY 2023 IRF-PAI final rule on October 1, 2022. Use this resource to sort through new information and processes to better understand upcoming changes for yourself or staff. Download this tip sheet for a simple checklist to help you prepare for upcoming changes.

Kelsey Tainsh has been through more in her 31 years than most will endure in a lifetime. Successfully overcoming a brain tumor at only 5 years of age, Kelsey went on to be a happy, healthy kid and a champion athlete. 10 years later, at 15, it all came crashing down when the tumor returned followed by a crippling stroke.

We are pleased to present the August issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

We are pleased to present the July issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

We are pleased to present the June issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

We are pleased to present the April issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

ARN is proud to introduce two new partnerships with Chamberlain University and Walden University that empower our ARN members to achieve their goals, find success, and make inspiring contributions to the global nursing rehab community. Learn about tuition savings opportunities for ARN Members and other benefits.

This Monday, July 25, ARN has opened applications for their annual awards and scholarship opportunities. Nominate yourself, your organization, or your colleagues for numerous chances to be recognized for outstanding services in rehabilitation nursing.

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) is aware of our June 2022 Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) exam test takers' experience, and we hope to bring clarity to the situation. We greatly appreciate your feedback and patience during this time. We'd like to shed light on the root cause of the delay, which is the exam standard setting process.

The ARN Advancing Science and Practice Committee is providing the opportunity for up to (2) winners of a Quality Improvement Grant, which focuses on improvement projects within rehabilitation. Applications will remain open until July 15, 2022. 

The Certified Registered Rehabilitation Nurse (CRRN®) exam is offered twice a year, in June and December, and offers rehab nurses an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and commitment to the field through specialty certification. To learn more about the certification process, please visit https://rehabnurse.org/crrn-certification/earn-your-crrn. 

You could become a fellow of ARN! Applications are now open for the ARN Fellow Designation (FARN) - the most distinguished level of membership. You may qualify based on the new qualifications.

Have you recently worked on a project that has the potential of changing systems of care for patients with disabilities and chronic illnesses? The ARN Advancing Science and Practice Committee is providing the opportunity for up to (2) winners of a Quality Improvement Grant, which focuses on improvement projects within rehabilitation. Applications will remain open until July 15, 2022. Learn more and apply.

As a nurse, you can take your career any direction you wish. Encompass Health's Vice President of Nursing Operations and ARN Board of Directors member, Mary Ellen Hatch, speaks to the tremendous career growth she's witnessed in her decades of service. Whether you're an early career nurse working toward additional certification, a nurse leader ready to take on more responsibility or a seasoned care provider seeking other ways to make an impact on patients' lives, the opportunities are endless. Read more

We have all been charting a course through the unknown of the COVID pandemic. As we emerge into new realities, it is more important than ever to lean on one another. Together, we can overcome such challenges like retaining our staff and recruiting new nurses to our teams. None of us alone have the answers needed to thrive in this post-pandemic healthcare environment. But working together – each of us contributing our expertise, passion, and energy – we can chart a new course into a brighter future.

Expect ARN to be by your side collecting and sharing your ideas, providing some of our own, and outfitting each of you with the resources you need to succeed.​

Thank you to all our 2022 Abstract Reviewers who volunteered their time! Your hard work and dedication will help make ARN's 2022 Annual Rehabilitation Nursing Conference a success. Over 100 submissions were reviewed and scored by our incredible group of dedicated volunteer Abstract Reviewers.

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) Board of Directors and Nominating and Leadership Development Committee position nominations are quickly ending next week on May 15. With the President-Elect position open for nominations, learn how the current president of the association found her way to the head of the table.

The relationships rehabilitation nurses form with their patients is key to helping patients get back to what matters most after a life-altering injury or illness. There's a reason many patients return to the hospital to thank their nurses after discharge. Encompass Health's Vice President of Nursing Operations and ARN board member Mary Ellen Hatch shares how the Company provides opportunities and support to nurses so they can continue providing the best care possible. Learn more

With the Board of Directors elections quickly approaching, hear from the current ARN President-Elect about her journey to leadership.

Bring your leadership skills and ideas to contribute to the future of the organization. ARN voting members in good standing are eligible to run for office and elect future leaders of ARN. ARN provides the resources and support that enable rehabilitation nurses like you to thrive in your workplace and careers. To apply for one of the positions, below, please complete your application by May 15, 2022*.

Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) was granted reaccreditation for nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) for an additional 4 years from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This reaccreditation proves ARN's commitment to using evidence-based criteria when developing high-quality educational activities that promote the professional growth of rehabilitation nurses.

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) gives a big congratulations to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital for Newsweek Magazine rating them the number one Best Physical Rehabilitation Center of Ohio in 2021.

We are pleased to present the March issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) Health Policy Committee is pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 Nurse in Washington Internship (NIWI) Scholarship: Yvette Salas, MSN CRRN, and Nanci Steinebach, MSN RN CCM CRRN.

Since 2018, Tammy Lepucki, RN CRRN, has worked as a floor nurse in a rehabilitation unit for Franciscan Alliance. In her nursing journey, she started as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in 1998 and graduated with an associate degree in nursing (ASN) in 2000.

As hospitals across the nation struggle with retaining nurses, one Massachusetts rehabilitation hospital has been able to not only retain nurses but also improve nursing retention rates and trust throughout the pandemic. What's its secret? According to nursing leadership at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts, it's all about communication and keeping staff informed. Learn more >

We are pleased to present the February issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

"My CRRN has allowed me to stand out as a top candidate for many roles along my professional career in rehabilitation and more," says our Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurses (CRRN) Spotlight of the week, Lydia Hendrix, BSN, RN, CRRN.

The Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) wants to celebrate and high-five you, our members, through our Member Spotlight. We want you to show off your team's successes and provide that soap box to shout about your coworkers and friends who go beyond without thinking about recognition.

ARN is seeking reviewers to read and evaluate abstract submissions for our 2022 Rehabilitation Nursing Conference, which will be held September 19-23 in San Diego, California and online.

We are pleased to present the January issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

ARN is committed to impacting healthcare as a leader in influencing rehabilitation public policy. As a part of this commitment, we want to ensure that our members have the knowledge and opportunity to participate in the creation of public policy and advocacy related to rehabilitation nursing. In that spirit, we are pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the ARN Nurses in Washington Internship (NIWI) Scholarship!

As we begin a new year, ARN continues its commitment to supporting rehab nurses. The impact of the COVID pandemic continues to challenge our healthcare systems. Many inpatient rehabilitation units have been admitting acute patients. Acute hospitals are challenged to care for COVID patients while meeting the needs of their non-COVID patients.

If you are an ARN member or a Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) subscriber, you should soon receive your January/February issue in the mail. Check out a preview of two great articles that will be gracing the pages of this issue or visit the journal online to read the full issue.  

We are pleased to present the December issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

Each year at this time, RNJ Editorial Board membership changes and we say goodbye to outgoing members. This year three members are rotating off the board after serving 5 years. Outgoing members are Deborah Almauhy, Terrie Black, and Leslie Neal-Boylan. Deborah is the Chief Nursing Officer of Emory Rehabilitation Hospital in Atlanta. Terrie is a clinical associate professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Leslie is a nurse practitioner at the Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic in Rockville, MD. Thank you for your commitment to the journal!

ARN is excited to announce the 2021 ARN Member Award Winners!  The winners were announced at ARN's 2021 Rehabilitation Nursing Conference. 

We are pleased to present the November issue of the ARN Health Policy Digest. This member benefit provides updates on health policy and legislative and regulatory developments that may be of interest to rehabilitation nurses.

During this time of Thanksgiving, I want to express my appreciation for you as rehabilitation nurses. You have persevered and endured through two challenging years not only for your patients and their families but for your families as well.

If you are an ARN member or a Rehabilitation Nursing Journal (RNJ) subscriber, you should soon receive your November/December issue in the mail. Check out a preview of three great articles that will be gracing the pages of this issue, or visit the journal online to read the full issue.

In her last act as ARN's 2020-2021 President, Patricia A. Quigley, PhD MPH APRN CRRN FAAN FAANP FARN, installed the incoming 2021-2022 Board of Directors on November 12 at ARN's 2021 Rehabilitation Nursing Conference.