The loss of health and independence is one of the toughest losses for every patient and his family. Stroke is a chronic neurological damage that influences all aspects of a patient's life. Patients suffer damages that cause inability to fulfil everyday activities. After the patients' condition has been stabilized in the post-acute stage of the illness, a health care plan is conceived, a plan which is focused on maintaining the bodily functions and preventing complications so that the patient starts the rehabilitation in the best possible physical state. Facing a functional deficit, the patient needs comprehensive health care and the soonest possible start of the rehabilitation so that he can recover his independence in everyday activities as soon as possible. Rehabilitation is a dynamic process which contributes to achieving optimal bodily, emotional, social and psychological abilities and maintaining the patients' dignity and independence. Rehabilitation does not change the pathophysiological course of the illness but it certainly influences the functional capacities. The goals of the rehabilitation of the patients who have suffered from a stroke are focused on minimizing and preventing functional incapacities, achieving independence in everyday activities and educating the patient and his family. The recovery entails a lot of hard work and discipline and each patient possesses an individual capacity for recovery, which a well- trained nurse will easily recognize. A nurse is a full-fledged member of a multidisciplinary team, with her knowledge and skills she evaluates the patients' needs, takes care of their wishes, motivates them throughout the program, closely cooperates with the families and is always ready to show empathy toward both the patients and their families. From the very beginning of the rehabilitation process the nurse educates the patients and their families through constant demonstrating and repeating of self-care skills, which is key to success. Key words: