Follow @RehabNurses

Get instant updates in your Twitter feed when the OARN website is updated or about other items of interest to Rehabilitation Nurses. We are @RehabNurses.

A Message to Rehab Nurses During Nursing Week 2022

Dear Rehab Nurses,

Your work has been difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic. We Answer the Call, this year’s theme for Nursing Week, is strongly shown in work of Rehab Nurses. Some examples include:

• incorporating virtual care into your practice
• being redeployed to provide critical support to other clinical areas, and
• demonstrating creativity and safety while providing care often with reduced resources.

You have epitomized the true essence of Rehab Nursing, touching the lives of so many patients and families.

Thank You for All You Do and Happy Nursing Week.

Quick Index and What's New

• Message from the OARN President


• FAQ for CNO Self-Reporting Requirements

Join RNAO Today

RNAO.ca/join or call 1-800-268-7199

• June Update: Checking the Pulse
• Online Event Resource Centre
• Updated Terms of Reference (Apr 2013)
• Standards of Practice
• The Canadian Nurses Portal, NurseOne

Message from the OARN President

Dear Ontario Rehabilitation Nursing Colleagues:

I am honoured to serve as the President of the Ontario Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (OARN). I have been a member of the executive for 6 years as Director of Finance. I have worked in Paediatric Rehabilitation for the past 20 years and am very passionate about rehabilitation nursing. I am now excited to move into the role of President and look forward to collaborating with the executive and members to develop a new strategic plan.

Despite the economic turmoil of the past few years, our membership has remained steady and we are working closely with the Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Nurses to represent your voice as a rehabilitation nurse on the national stage. As members who work across the continuum of care, I encourage you to get involved in OARN. You can participate in one meeting or several, perhaps volunteer to sit on the executive for OARN, or you may want to send a letter or article to our newsletter. This is your organization and I want to be able to represent you and advocate for rehabilitation patients across the province.

Please explore our website and see the wide variety of resources provided to help you and your colleagues enhance their knowledge. Our website also lists upcoming conferences (related to rehabilitation), education resources, links to webcasts and in our members’ only section - access to our executive meeting minutes, strategic plan and newsletter.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the art and science of rehabilitation nursing.

Best wishes,

Irene Simpson

President, Ontario Association of Rehabilitation Nurses

posted: 19 March 2019

updated: 3 June 2019

updated: 26 June 2019

Time Sensitive News about CRN Certifications

June Update: Please see the letter from Marie Carlson, President Canadian Association of Rehab Nurses (CARN), about the pending retirement of the Rehab Nursing specialty exam. The last scheduled exam is November 2019. Please inform your Rehab Nurse colleagues and promote the November exam. Note that the application window has changed to June 27th to September 30th 2019.

From the letter: "... if you write in November you will play a vital part in helping to save our certification exam. You will also be able to keep your registration for your entire nursing career ... Our needed target is 100 new writers". Thank you for your ongoing commitment to and enthusiasm for Rehab Nursing.

Download the Certification in Rehabilitation Nursing Fact Sheet (PDF) and read the time sensitive fact sheet about becoming certified or renewing your certification in Rehabilitation Nursing. The Spring 2019 application window is closing March 31st.

Do you know what employers of certified nurses are saying about certification?

• Confirms an RN’s enhanced competency and specialized knowledge
• Helps to recruit and retain the best nurses
• Fosters safe, high-quality care and raises the entire education culture

November 2019 is the last opportunity to write an exam to become certified in or renew your certification in rehabilitation nursing. Renewal by continuous learning will continue to be available.

May Update: Please see the letter from Marie Carlson, President Canadian Assoc of Rehab Nurses (CARN), about the pending retirement of the Rehab Nursing specialty exam. The last scheduled exam is November 2019. Please inform your Rehab Nurse colleagues and promote the November exam far and wide. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to and enthusiasm for Rehab Nursing.

Update: 2019 RNFOO Award Winners Announced

The 2019 RNFOO award winners have been announced.

The Registered Nurses' Foundation of Ontario (RNFOO) is a charitable organization that provides financial support for nurses and nursing students in Ontario to further their educational studies, conduct nursing and health care research, and support community health initiatives. Awards and Scholarships are available for study at the certificate, undergraduate, and graduate levels.

Information about the awards process can be found on the RNFOO website.

Rehab Nursing in the News

Standards of Practice for Rehabilitation Nurses

From the introduction to the Standards of Practice booklet:

As the professional association for rehabilitation nurses, the Ontario Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (OARN) is responsible for establishing standards for professional rehabilitation nursing practice. ... The standards for rehabilitation nursing practice describe a competent level of professional care and professional practice common to all rehabilitation nurses engaged in clinical practice. The development of nursing standards describes the responsibilities for which its practitioners are accountable and are essential for ensuring that quality care is provided to clients.

Free for new members. Request additional copies, now only $2.50 each for members, $5.00 for non-members (taxes, shipping and handling included).