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Considered working as a Rehabilitation Nurse? This interview will take you through the ups and downs you can expect in the position, what it takes to land the job, what you can expect to earn and more. This is a true career story as told to JobsInHealthcare.com and is one of many interviews with health care professionals which among others include a Medical Technologist and a Registered Nurse.

As a Certified Rehabilitation Nurse, I spend my time coordinating the physical rehabilitation of patients. I have been in nursing for 30 years starting as a Licensed Practical Nurse. After all my children were in school, I returned to complete my education to become a Registered Nurse. Rehabilitation certification was earned while working at a rehab facility six years ago.

As a rehabilitation nurse, I serve as a coordinator in a patient’s rehabilitation process. Much of the work entails acting as a liaison between the doctors, therapists, and patient to insure the smooth transition from the hospital and a rapid recovery for the patient. The job is never dull and no two days are the same. Every day brings new challenges. The job requires that I work with the entire rehabilitation team to individualize a plan of care for each patient and insure that the plan is properly implemented. On a daily basis it’s necessary to wear numerous hats as I have to be equal parts nurse, therapist, taskmaster, and friend.

Job satisfaction can be rated at an 8. It's often difficult to provide the individualized care I’d like to provide because of the number of patients assigned and the financial constraints placed on us by insurance companies. However, I love working with the patients and interacting with the families. I don’t think it’s feasible to change anything to make my job better because of the current economic climate.

I am excited each day as I go to work and see patients that are depending on me to insure the best possible chance at their going back to their home and family. I feel privileged to be able to do a job that makes such a difference in people’s lives.

Although I got a late start, I’ve found that it hasn’t hindered advancement. It’s never too late to start.

I had wanted to be a nurse since I was five years old but found the love of my life before I graduated college. The next thing I knew I had three children and a burning desire to do something important. I went back to school, finished my degree, and never regretted the decision to start my family first. I think perhaps having waited for my degree made me appreciate it more and it gives me a better perspective when dealing with patients and their families.

I have learned that no one does this job well without help and guidance. When I first graduated I thought I had all the answers and I was determined to prove it. I would come in early, skip lunch and stay late to make sure I did everything I could for my patients. I almost quit nursing because I didn’t realize I didn’t have to do it all. I learned to depend on the people around me for their knowledge and expertise and in turn gave my patients a much better chance for a good outcome.

The most important lesson learned since graduating is that the world doesn’t end if I make a mistake. As I worked in the medical field, it was common to encounter new situations and scenarios that weren’t taught in school. Decisions had to be made and at some point, a serious mistake might be made. There were experienced professionals who helped me through those troubling times.

It isn’t difficult to remember the strangest situation I’ve ever encountered. I had a patient who believed he was a vampire and only wanted to work with the therapy team at night.

I feel that I make a difference in my patient’s lives. It is exhilarating for me to see a patient who I admitted, for whom I developed a plan of care, and with whom I worked with for several weeks, go home and resume their life.

When our rehab team is doing the very best that can be done for a patient and the patient decides they don’t want to work anymore. It’s very difficult to develop a new plan that will encourage the patient to resume his rehabilitation.

The stress level is enormous but I have learned not to take work home with me. I put in my time at work and give 100 percent but when I leave I give 100 percent to my family and myself.

The salary scale varies quite a bit depending on the area in which one lives. I am from the Mid - Atlantic States so the salaries are quite competitive, $55,000 to $70,000 range, and I am able to live quite comfortably on what I make.

I have three weeks’ vacation each year but usually only take a week at a time. The time off is sufficient to enjoy life away from work and to re-charge the batteries.

To enter the nursing field you need a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. If you wish to pursue rehabilitation nursing you can take further courses to receive your certification. Most coordinator positions require a minimum of two years’ experience as a rehabilitation nurse.

The work is demanding and the hours can be long. However, I work with phenomenal people and meet some exceptional individuals. I'm never be bored.

I would like to teach the next generation of nurses. I have always enjoyed working with new nurses and teaching them. Watching them develop their nursing skills is very gratifying. I feel that not only can I train new nurses but I can also teach them to love the profession.