Seeking evidence of rehabilitation in nephrology nursing

Abstract

Individuals with renal failure experience many varied and complex alterations in their health status. As a consequence, rehabilitation is an important aspect of their care. However, until recently, rehabilitation has not been explicit in the published nephrology nursing literature. This paper addresses that deficit through an examination of Australian nephrology nursing competency standards for evidence of rehabilitation. Recent Australian research about rehabilitation nursing practice was used as a guiding definition of rehabilitation. A systematic examination of these documents revealed evidence of rehabilitative practices embedded in the nephrology nursing competency standards' domains of empowerment and clinical problem solving. These findings add support for the belief that rehabilitation is a philosophy that all nurses can apply in their practice.