How to Create a Restorative Nursing Program

Restorative nursing programs are geared towards those released from a therapy program that may benefit from additional assistance. This nursing program utilizes specialized therapies, such as physical or occupational therapy, and nursing services in order to provide the care patients need. Specialty therapists work together with nurses and nursing assistants, providing training and support. Nurses and nurse's assistants will continue the care plan recommendations of the therapists by helping residents perform exercises outside of the therapy department.

Instructions

Starting a Restorative Nursing Program

• 1

  Establish department need. In order to start a restorative nursing program in a health care facility, one must first determine the need for the services. Talk with therapy departments, patients, family, and physicians to see if there are enough patients residing in the facility who will benefit and use a restorative nursing program. There must be enough patient participation and adequate staff in order to make things run efficiently and justify the department.

• 2

  Restorative staff members must be trained on how to use adaptive equipment properly

  Train staff. Nurses and nursing assistants who wish to work in the restorative nursing department will need to be trained on how to perform the exercises and use the equipment. Therapists can train the nursing staff on how to provide range of motion, stretching and strengthening exercises that patients will need. Instruction and training on how to use the adaptive equipment, such as specialized eating utensils, braces, and gait belts, can be provided to the nursing staff by the therapists. Special classes and training sessions can be offered by the therapy department for those in the nursing department interested in joining the restorative nursing team.

• 3

  Create a schedule. Once all of the restorative nursing staff has been sufficiently trained, positions and a schedule can be implemented. First, determine who will be placed into a supervisory position to run the department. A restorative nursing supervisor can be in charge of making both the staff and patient schedule. The supervisor can be responsible for making sure the staff provides the correct care and that patients are compliant with the therapy. Patient schedules are beneficial because it allows the supervisor to assure that each patient receives the help and care needed while in the restorative nursing program. Supervisors can determine how much staff is needed by comparing patient schedules with staff schedules.

• 4

  Pick the location. Determine a location for the restorative nursing department. The location of the department should be large enough to house the equipment needed to carry out the recommended treatments and patient care plan, as well as a place for patients and staff to work and an area where charts and documentation can be completed. Locations that are farther from where patients stay may considered. Destinations which are farther away gives patients the opportunity to practice walking to the restorative therapy department which can help minimize time spent in the department since part of the therapy is completed en route to the departments location.

• 5

  Members of the restorative nursing department will assist patients with range of motion and other exercises

  Interact with patients. The major role of a restorative nursing department is providing patients with additional assistance following their discharge from a therapy program. Assistance given to patients via the restorative nursing staff members includes walking, feeding, range of motion and strengthening exercises. Nursing staff working in the restorative department must interact and work well with patients to assure patient participation. Learning how to deal with patients who are in pain and do not want to complete their recommended treatment for the day is beneficial for restorative department staff members. Employees may need to use their bargaining skills and compromising abilities in order to convince patients to fulfill their recommended treatments.

• 6

  Document progress. A restorative nursing program may need to show how the department is beneficial to patients residing in a health care facility. Documenting patient participation, the type of treatment and care provided, how often the program is utilized and how many patients participate in the restorative nursing program will provide administrators and physicians with the information needed to justify keeping the department open and available for those who qualify to participate. Charting a patient's progress, changes in condition and program participation will allow therapists and physicians to keep up to date with a patient's progression through the program. It also allows changes to be made when needed, such as changing the recommended plan of care due to a change in a patient's physical ability to perform specific exercises and treatment.