REHABILITATION NURSING IN UKRAINE: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN POLICY AND PRACTICE

Purpose. Based on a critical examination (or comparative analysis) of international frameworks for defining rehabilitation nurses’ competencies, the study aims to substantiate the directions for developing a national professional standard for rehabilitation nurses in Ukraine, taking into account the challenges posed by martial law and the evolving needs of the national healthcare system. Materials and methods. A bibliosemantic review of global rehabilitation nursing competency frameworks was conducted using Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and PEDro databases.Results. Rehabilitation nursing in Ukraine is evolving to meet growing healthcare demands and align with international standards. However, the profession faces significant challenges, including staff shortages, excessive work-loads, and insufficient training. Analysis of the regulatory framework, current trends, and competency gaps, particularly in the ongoing war, helped identify priority areas for professional standard development and workforce training under unstable conditions. A comparative analysis of rehabilitation nursing roles in the UK, Norway, and the USA revealed common approaches to education and team integration that may guide the creation of a Ukrainian competency model. Key issues include inconsistencies in required competencies, gaps in legal regulation, and the lack of a structured educational pathway. Addressing these challenges through regulatory enhancement, workload standardization, and national professional standards is essential for advancing rehabilitation nursing.Conclusion. A comprehensive understanding of the role, competencies, and professional autonomy of rehabilitation nurses, along with an analysis of countries with established regulatory frameworks, is essential for the development of a national professional standard that is responsive to the specific needs of Ukraine’s healthcare system.