Restorative nursing programs play a critical role in maintaining resident function, supporting quality outcomes, and reducing avoidable decline—yet many facilities struggle to implement and sustain them effectively. This session provides a practical, step-by-step approach to developing and overseeing a successful restorative program in the long-term care setting. Participants will learn how to identify appropriate residents, differentiate restorative services from skilled therapy, design resident-centered interventions, and implement effective monitoring and documentation systems. With a strong focus on leadership strategies and real-world application, this session equips nurse leaders with the tools needed to build a structured, sustainable program that enhances resident independence and supports regulatory compliance.

Nurse Learner Outcome: At the conclusion of this session, at least 80% of participants will self-report increased knowledge and confidence in their ability to develop, implement, and oversee a restorative nursing program, including identification of appropriate residents, development of resident-centered interventions, and application of monitoring and leadership strategies, as measured by post-session evaluation.

Learner Objectives:

1. Describe the purpose and regulatory expectations of a restorative nursing program in long-term care settings.
2. Differentiate restorative nursing services from skilled therapy services, including roles, goals, and appropriate use.
3. Identify residents appropriate for restorative programming based on changes in functional status and clinical indicators.
4. Develop resident-centered restorative interventions that are measurable, practical, and aligned with individual care needs.
5. Apply monitoring, documentation, and leadership oversight strategies to implement and sustain an effective restorative nursing program.