Aims: To examine rehabilitation nurses' perspectives on their roles in caring for older patients in hospitals, emphasising how they fulfil these roles and their significance in geriatric rehabilitation (GR).

Background: The need for rehabilitation services was rising with an aging population. Rehabilitation nurses provided evidence-based care to older patients and encouraged them to participate in their rehabilitation goals. Rehabilitation nurses were vital to recovery; their contributions needed to be appreciated and valued.

Design: A qualitative systematic review.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for qualitative evidence and a PROSPERO protocol CRD42023435728 published beforehand. From inception to 9 October, 2023, a comprehensive database search was developed using Medline and translated into five databases, including CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest and Ageline.

Results: Thirty-three studies were reviewed, identifying six key themes, including decision-making, nursing role gaps, care coordination, communication, nursing skills and gender preference.

Conclusion: This review examined rehabilitation nurses' experiences working with older patients in rehabilitation services. It highlighted gaps in their recognition and decision-making involvement despite being care coordinators, caregivers and advocates who were undervalued as rehabilitation team members. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: The review highlighted the importance of valuing nurses' contributions and re-evaluating the rehabilitation model. FURTHER IMPLICATIONS OF THIS STUDY: Interviewing rehabilitation nurses can validate the findings, potentially improving rehabilitation nursing practices for older patients. REPORTING

Method: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). NO

Patient or public contribution: Not applied since it was a systematic review.