Is a Career in Neurorestorative Care Right for You?

Are you intrigued by a career in neuroscience and are eager to discover what you could bring to the table? Or maybe you’ve caught wind of some related career paths and now you’re pondering whether it’s your true calling. Perhaps venturing into the rising field of neurorestorative care is something to consider. If you’re curious to know more about it, you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Neurorestorative Care?

As the name suggests, neurorestorative care is focused on restoring the nervous system. You can think about it as a nervous system makeover. This branch of medicine deals with conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves — such as stroke, brain injury, and neurodegenerative disorders. The ultimate goal is to help people recover after neurological injuries or illnesses by reviving a damaged nervous system.

It is a multidisciplinary field that brings together professionals from various medical and healthcare specialties. Some of the areas it includes are:

• Neuroscience: The scientific study of the nervous system, including its structure, function, and disorders.
• Neurology: The study and treatment of diseases and disorders of the nervous system.
• Neuropharmacology: The study of how drugs and medications affect the nervous system, including their use in treating neurological disorders.
• Neurophysiology: The study of the electrical and functional properties of the nervous system and its regulation of bodily functions, such as movement, sensation, and cognition. Think of tests like EEG and EMG.
• Neurosurgery: Surgical procedures that involve the nervous system, such as brain surgery or spinal cord surgery.
• Neuropathology: The study of diseases and conditions affecting the nervous system.

On top of that, neurorestoration can include rehabilitation medicine, neuropsychology, physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, pain management, and research and clinical trials. As a nurse, you have plenty of career opportunities to choose from.

Who Would Your Typical Patient Be?

Neurological disorders don’t discriminate; they can impact people of all ages and backgrounds, including children, adults, and the elderly.

In this field, you may regularly see patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries, stroke survivors, and individuals with neuromuscular disorders like muscular dystrophy or myasthenia gravis. When it comes to kids, you’d likely work with people with congenital neurological conditions or those who have experienced birth injuries.

Where Would You Work?

As a nurse, your opportunities are as vast as the ocean in this field. Here’s a list of places where you can work:

• Acute care: In a hospital setting, you’ll care for patients with neurological conditions such as stroke, brain injury, and spinal cord injury. You may work in the neurology unit, progressive care, operating rooms, or clinical education.
• Outpatient care:You can also practice in outpatient clinics, offering care to patients who have been discharged from the hospital. The goal is to restore normal function and support their recovery journey after discharge.
• Home care: You can work at a patient’s home to provide extended rehabilitation services for people recovering from neurological disorders and injuries, such as stroke.
• Rehabilitation: You can work in rehabilitation facilities to help patients recover from neurological injuries and illnesses, aiming to restore their normal function.
• Research: These institutions are dedicated to innovative neurorestoration technology and evidence-based practices to aid patient recovery.

Is There a High Demand for Nurses in Neurorestorative Care?

As the global population continues to age, the incidence of neurological disorders such as strokes, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and traumatic brain injuries is on the rise. The U.S. population age 65 and over grew nearly five times faster than the total population from 1920 to 2020. This demographic trend increases the need for nurses specializing in neurorestoration, who can provide specialized care and rehabilitation services to individuals with neurological conditions.

Additionally, this branch of medicine has benefited significantly from advancements in medical technology. These technological breakthroughs are now being applied to assist individuals with neurological disorders. A notable example is the case of a paralyzed man who regained the ability to walk with the help of a device designed to reconnect the brain with muscles.

The combination of demographic shifts and technological advancements has led to a high demand for nurses in this field. This demand is expected to continue to grow in the coming years as the prevalence of neurological disorders increases.

Top Neurorestoration Facilities

Interested in joining this field? Are you wondering where to send your resume and cover letter? Check out these options:

1. NeuroRestorative is the largest provider of rehabilitation services in the U.S., with facilities in over 25 states for people of all ages with brain, spinal cord, and medically complex injuries or illnesses.
2. Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology is an institution located in Providence, RI, dedicated to developing, testing, and implementing new therapies and technologies that restore function.
3. Shepherd Center is a private, not-for-profit hospital in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with neurological conditions.
4. Craig Hospital is a rehabilitation hospital in Englewood, CO, that specializes in neurological rehabilitation and research for individuals with spinal cord and brain injuries.
5. Barrow Neuro Rehabilitation Center is an institution located in Phoenix, AZ, equipped with the latest technology that helps people maximize their independence and return to a fulfilling life following a neurological injury.

Neuro Restorative Nurse Salary

The average neurology nurse salary in the U.S. is $69,293 per year. Your salary can vary based on several factors, including your years of experience, the type of facility you work in, your certifications, and geographical location.

Ready to Start Your Career in Neurorestorative Care?

Now that you’ve learned about the specialty of neurorestorative care, it might be time to take the next step in your career. Get matched with the latest nursing jobs in your specialty and location with IntelyCare.