Newswise — Chicago (Dec. 10, 2015): The Association of Rehabilitation Nursing (ARN) has created a toolkit of resources to help schools of nursing and facility-based nurse educators apply the ARN Competency Model for Professional Rehabilitation Nursing.

Available at www.rehabnurse.org, the ARN Competency Model Toolkit includes:

Rehabilitation Nursing Competency Model: Developed by expert rehabilitation nurses, this is the official document fully defining and describing the domains and competencies of rehabilitation nursing. • Competency-Specific Behavioral Scenarios: Designed to illustrate the competencies “in action,” each behavioral scenario explores the impact of new nurse exhibiting – and not exhibiting – beginner level proficiency in a competency.• Competency Model Overview Presentation: A PowerPoint version of the Competency Model, as developed by Task Force Chair Dr. Stephanie Vaughn, PhD RN CRRN.• Care Transitions – Levels of Care: This PDF resource concisely and clearly illustrates the various levels of facility-based and home-based rehabilitation care for patients and the characteristics of each.

Since its release, the ARN Competency Model for Professional Rehabilitation Nursing has been downloaded over 700 times, has been presented at national and regional conferences, and is being actively evaluated and integrated into rehabilitation nursing practices in facilities across the country. In addition, the competency model is being used to help inform and shape future educational products and programs from ARN.

Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN)ARN is a professional healthcare association dedicated to promoting and advancing professional rehabilitation nursing practice through education, advocacy, collaboration, and research to enhance the quality of life for those affected by disability and chronic illness. For more information about ARN, please visit www.rehabnurse.org/ or call 800.229.7530.