Every part of a patient’s journey offers an opportunity for impact – from the moment the patient first interacts with a member of our team, to the moment when they return home. It takes a diverse team with a wide variety of skills to provide the best care to patients at every stage of their journey – and that includes rehab nurses.
Rehab nurses walk alongside patients as they recover from a procedure or surgery, helping to ease them through the healing process in a holistic meaningful way. Their work is essential in allowing patients to return home as healthy as possible. In fact, a few UPMC physicians shared with us just how important the role of the rehab nurse can be.
* * *
“Rehabilitation Nursing is a very special field of nursing. They are vital in the success of a collaborative care program in a rehabilitation unit… and in helping our patients transition back to the community successfully.” – Dr. Debbie Tan
“Simply put, rehab nurses change and improve patients’ lives. Rehab nurses have a unique skillset and are a source of comfort and encouragement after patients have experienced a difficult event. The length of stay permits formation of a personal therapeutic relationship. I depend on rehab nurses and their knowledge of their patients’ conditions every day.” – Dr. Maria Twichell
“I depend on rehab nurses to make sure that my patients are safe, stable, and progressing through their rehabilitation program. Brain injured patients are neurologically, medically, and behaviorally complex, and I know that the rehab nurses I work with have the expertise to manage their needs and to recognize when something is wrong.” – Dr. Kevin Franzese
* * *
Let’s get to know a few rehab nurses on our team!
Marie M.
Professional Staff Nurse, UPMC Passavant
“I have worked for various other health systems and I choose to work for UPMC because it is a great work environment. My coworkers and I work well as a team, help each other with our patients, and truly care about our patients' care. Here at UPMC Passavant, our hospital is clean and organized, and we have the supplies we need to take care of the patients well. Every aspect of patient care is excellent – I would recommend this rehab to my family and friends. I love working at UPMC and plan to stay on this unit for a long time.”
Holly B.
Staff Nurse, UPMC McKeesport
“I love caring for the people who come through our unit. The patients arrive at the most vulnerable moments in their lives, and I’ve been lucky enough to be chosen to help guide them on their journey. This has made for a fabulous learning environment for both personal and career growth.
I honestly believe I make a positive impact on my patients. I enjoy watching them work towards their goals and eventually go home. The UPMC Rehabilitation Department is a second family for me!”
Holly B.
Staff Nurse, UPMC McKeesport
“I love caring for the people who come through our unit. The patients arrive at the most vulnerable moments in their lives, and I’ve been lucky enough to be chosen to help guide them on their journey. This has made for a fabulous learning environment for both personal and career growth.
I honestly believe I make a positive impact on my patients. I enjoy watching them work towards their goals and eventually go home. The UPMC Rehabilitation Department is a second family for me!”
Lori F.
Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, UPMC Passavant
“I started at UPMC Passavant in November 2019 on the rehab unit and have been there ever since. I love rehab nursing because most of the patients I care for get better and go home. The schedule is great for my home life and my hobbies which include running, camping, fishing, and paddle boarding.
I’m working on my bachelor’s degree right now and am planning on continuing to my Master’s in nursing through Capella University, thanks to UPMC’s excellent tuition reimbursement benefit!”
Sara B.
Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, UPMC East
“The reason I remain a Rehab Nurse at UPMC, and take great pride in my work, is because UPMC has been there for me as a support system throughout all the years I have worked to better myself as a nurse and patient advocate. Throughout many changes over the past year as a nurse through the COVID-19 pandemic, UPMC has assisted me in bettering myself as a nurse, through education, award nominations, tuition reimbursement, and professional certification."
Sara B.
Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, UPMC East
“The reason I remain a Rehab Nurse at UPMC, and take great pride in my work, is because UPMC has been there for me as a support system throughout all the years I have worked to better myself as a nurse and patient advocate. Throughout many changes over the past year as a nurse through the COVID-19 pandemic, UPMC has assisted me in bettering myself as a nurse, through education, award nominations, tuition reimbursement, and professional certification."
Anthony F.
Licensed Practical Nurse, UPMC Mercy
“The rehabilitation unit is the last stop for patients before going home. Watching their progress is very rewarding work. I have remained at UPMC because I love what I do. I enjoy the patients and the people I work with and for. I’m a proud member of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute team.”
Courtney B.
Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, UPMC St. Margaret
“I have been a nurse on the Rehabilitation Unit at UPMC St Margaret's for a little over 3 years. There is something so special about being a rehab nurse and helping patients on their road to recovery. We truly see people during the scariest and most challenging times of their lives and help them learn to overcome. We help them learn to walk, eat, talk, and gain their independence again. I can't think of anything more rewarding!"
Courtney B.
Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, UPMC St. Margaret
“I have been a nurse on the Rehabilitation Unit at UPMC St Margaret's for a little over 3 years. There is something so special about being a rehab nurse and helping patients on their road to recovery. We truly see people during the scariest and most challenging times of their lives and help them learn to overcome. We help them learn to walk, eat, talk, and gain their independence again. I can't think of anything more rewarding!"
With sign-on bonuses now available of up to $20,000 for experienced rehab nurses and up to $15,000 for graduate nurses, there has never been a better time to join our team at UPMC!
