Inspiring hope in our rehabilitation patients, their families, and ourselves.

When confronted with a devastating disability or chronic illness, rehabilitation nurses play a key role in inspiring hope for patients and their families. This article examines strategies nurses can implement in everyday practice: creating an environment of hope in a rehabilitation unit; assisting patients to manage their negative feelings about their disability; relieving chronic neuropathic pain; sustaining patient relationships with staff and family; helping patients to forgive themselves and others; enhancing patient intimacy with others; using literature to promote hope; acknowledging a patient's belief that nothing is impossible; using humor therapeutically; and maintaining hope for the moment. It is the moment-the time we spend with our patients-that is essential. In that moment, we are promoting hope.