Overview of Online Restorative Nurse Certification Programs
State-level training in restorative nursing is typically offered at the nursing assistant level. Currently, there is no federal regulation or national certification in restorative nursing. However, some states and/or organizations provide training programs for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to become restorative nurse assistants. While most of these training programs are in-person, there are some online programs available.
Prerequisites and requirements for restorative nurse assistant training programs vary by state. In general, students need to hold professional nursing certification/licensure, such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), or Registered Nurse (RN), and 6 months to a year of work experience. Depending on the state, students may also need a high school diploma, a recommendation, and/or be registered on the state's Nurse Aide Registry. Online training courses from organizations like the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN), may give students up to 1 year to complete the training course, while other states may offer training courses that can be completed in as few as 2 days.
Requirements for Online Certification Programs in Restorative Nursing
Training programs for restorative nurse assistants aim to equip students with the skills to assist patients, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other health professionals as they use different therapies to help restore the health of patients. Some programs can be completed fully online, but others, particularly the state-specific training courses, are in-person and require hands-on clinical work.
General Requirements
Online restorative nursing training programs, like one offered by the ARN, as well as in-person courses, generally consist of 5 modules. These modules cover the content of the ARN's Restorative Nursing: A Training Manual for Nursing Assistants publication. Students discuss topics in mobility, communication, cognition, nursing assistants' role in restorative care, therapeutic activities, and more. The modules follow a question and answer format and may conclude with exams.
RNs interested in working in rehabilitation with patients may decide to pursue the ARN's Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) credential that takes restorative nursing to the next level. In order to take the CRRN exam, students must have 2 years of experience as a nurse in rehabilitation or 1 year of experience in rehabilitation and 1 year of advanced nursing beyond a bachelor's degree. Students verify their qualifications, register for the exam, study the online exam handbook and content outline, and take the exam. The certification must be renewed through experience and continuing education in the field.
Career Outcomes with Restorative Nurse Certification
Nurses working in restorative nursing may be a CNA, LVN, or RN, depending on the state, but most commonly work as a CNA. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nursing assistants usually need to complete a state-approved training program and take a competency test. LVNs must complete a certificate or diploma program and hold a state license. RNs have to have a nursing diploma, associate's, or bachelor's degree and pass the national licensure exam.
As of 2019, the BLS reported that nursing assistants made a median annual salary of $29,660 and had a job outlook of 9% from 2018 to 2028. This job outlook is faster than the national average. The BLS also recorded a median annual salary of $47,480, as of 2019, for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, and a median annual salary of $73,300 for RNs. The job outlook for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was 11% from 2018 to 2028, while RNs had an outlook of 12% over the same period. Both of these job outlooks are much faster than average, per the BLS.
Restorative nursing does not have a national certification, but online training is available in the field and it's typically designed for CNAs. The training, which can be completed in 1 year or less, can help nurses advance their roles as RNs, nursing assistants and vocational nurses.
