Book excerpt: Nurses play a key role in the rehabilitation process - maximisingthe quality of life and independence of individuals followingtrauma, disease or enduring chronic illness. Advancing Practice inRehabilitation Nursing provides an in-depth analysis of specialistpractice in rehabilitation nursing. It examines the research basisunderlying clinical practice and identifies unique attributes ofthe nursing role within the context of multidisciplinary andmulti-agency working. The first part of Advancing Practice in Rehabilitation Nursingexplores general principles of specialist rehabilitation practice,which can be applied to both community and in-patient settings. Thesecond part addresses specific issues in core areas of practiceincluding stroke, acquired brain injury, spinal injury, orthopaedicrehabilitation and management of people with long-term conditions.