From Physical Therapy Assistant to Registered Nurse

Kathryn Romanek is passionate about helping patients achieve their highest level of recovery. As a physical therapy assistant (PTA), she enjoyed working with patients and being a part of their recovery, but something was missing. She wanted a bigger role in patients’ day-to-day care and recovery. She decided to become a nurse.

“Joanne Hoertz, the chief nursing officer for Brooks Rehabilitation’s system of care, spoke to our class at Jacksonville University and discussed a scholarship opportunity from Brooks to obtain a bachelor’s in nursing,” said Romanek. “I knew it was a great opportunity to use my knowledge as a PTA towards advancing my career goals.”

Romanek attended Jacksonville University (JU) to earn her undergraduate degree in exercise science and thoroughly enjoyed her classes. Returning to JU for its accelerated BSN nursing program was an easy decision.

Benefits of Rehabilitation Nursing

Romanek loves the time she gets to spend with patients in a rehabilitation hospital setting. 

“In an acute setting, you don’t get to know the patients as well,” said Romanek. “In an inpatient hospital setting, you get to know the patient and sometimes family members. You help the patient achieve their highest level of function so they can go home with their loved ones. There is really no other care setting where you get to see as much patient progress as in rehabilitation.”

Day-to-Day Responsibilities of a Rehab Nurse 

According to Romanek, a rehabilitation nurse’s shift starts with rounding on patients, assessing their level of function and medical status. After that, typical rehabilitation nursing interventions include administering medications, skin care, bowel and bladder programs, and educating patients.  Once that is completed, nurses move to work with the rehab therapists to help patients attend therapy and increase their level of functional independence. They get the patients up, dressed and medicated.

After patients are attended to, nurses attend huddles and meet with the rehab team, which consists of therapists, case managers and physicians. In these meetings, patient progress and any changes or concerns are discussed. As the day goes on, nurses will occasionally perform intermittent catheterizations, hang IV antibiotics and continue med pass.

Rehab nurses also complete a daily assessment for each patient, which includes a skin assessment. Romanek finds that the best part of the job is spending time with patients between duties and getting to know them as the days go on.    

 Challenges of the Job

No job comes without challenges, yet Romanek explains that most challenges are because of the patient’s diagnosis, and it is a rewarding experience to help patients overcome them. 

A significant challenge can be communication, especially for stroke patients. However, rehab nurses learn techniques and use assistive devices such as picture books or whiteboards to help facilitate communication. It then becomes a rewarding experience to see patients able to communicate after being unable to. 

“Even with difficulties, there are solutions and empowering moments,” said Romanek.  

Career Growth at Brooks

Since working at Brooks, Romanek has achieved her certified rehabilitation registered nurse (CRRN) credential. Brooks provides prep classes and financial support to help nurses achieve this credential.

She is now a charge relief nurse and part of the rapid response team at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital – University Campus. Romanek also obtained training to work with patients who have a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a mechanical pump surgically implanted to help a failing heart pump blood to the body. 

As for what is next for Romanek, she plans to continue her career growth in rehabilitation nursing by gaining more education, experience and credentials.