The number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The aging of the U.S. population is driving demand for specialized geriatric care services and healthcare professionals, including nursing home nurses.
Providing high-quality, dignified nursing home care is a noble way for nurses to apply the skills they cultivate in a nursing school program. Understanding the unique characteristics of the role before committing to the profession is important for aspiring nursing home nurses.
What Is Working in a Nursing Home Like?
Working in a nursing home differs from working in other healthcare environments because nursing homes are designed to bridge the gap between hospital care and home care. Nursing home patients typically have conditions that prohibit them from living independently but don’t require hospitalization. While nursing home residents are typically older adults, these facilities provide skilled inpatient nursing care for patients of all ages who are in need of 24-hour medical, rehabilitation, or personal care services.
Some nursing homes resemble hospitals, while others look more like residential dwellings. In either environment, nursing home nurses play an important role. Their routine interactions with patients as they monitor conditions and administer care can develop into trusted relationships. This can help foster a sense of community and provide comfort to the patients.
In addition to their design differences, some nursing homes may offer more specialized services than others, such as care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other memory issues. Some may also specialize in physical, occupational, or speech therapy services.
Nursing Home Nurse Responsibilities
A nursing home nurse provides many different types of care, depending on their patients’ needs. Because nursing home patients need access to medical and personal care around the clock, nurses’ responsibilities tend to be part of a collaborative process that ensures care consistency. Healthcare professionals in leadership roles, such as physicians and nursing directors, typically coordinate this level of care and its complexities.
Medical Care
Similar to nurses working in a hospital or clinic setting, nursing home nurses work directly with patients and are responsible for taking their vital signs and updating their records. Residents may have a variety of conditions, such as heart disease, renal disease, diabetes, or dementia. Nurses are responsible for monitoring the residents, administering their medications and medical procedures, and alerting supervisors when additional care is needed.
Therapeutic Care
Some nurses provide or aid in therapeutic procedures. For example, residents with mobility issues may need daily physical therapy sessions. A nurse may help these patients perform the exercises in their rooms, or they may help them get to another area of the facility for a session with a dedicated therapist.
Personal Care
While hospital nurses often help patients with daily personal care, nursing home nurses may need to take extra steps in this area. Nurses may assist with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, feeding, and mobility. Some patients may not be able to care for themselves at all, while others may simply need a little help. Nurses may also assist patients as they participate in nursing home activities designed to improve their quality of life, such as group games or gatherings.
Emotional Support
Nursing home nurses often provide emotional support to residents struggling with aspects of their medical, physical, or mental health conditions. In addition to spending time supporting patients, nurses may serve as a connection to patients’ families. They may help patients communicate with loved ones through telephone or video calls, or they may serve as a point person for sharing updates on the patients’ conditions with family members.
Benefits of Becoming a Nursing Home Nurse
Nursing homes need nurses on staff at all hours. Nurses who prefer to work nights or weekends may find that the hours available align well with their schedules and family needs.
Caring for people in the later stages of their lives can provide valuable perspectives on aging and life priorities. Many nurses treasure the relationships they build with the older adults in their care who have wisdom and knowledge to share.
Fortis graduate Rebekah Tasker chose to work in a nursing home after finishing her nursing program at the Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, campus. “I dabbled here and there in a few areas of nursing and found that was where I was most happy,” she says. “I enjoy what I do there for the residents. They’ve lived their lives, and I feel it’s an honor to be there for them during this time.”
Explore Your Options for Working in a Nursing Home
Nursing home nurses deliver more than quality care. The bonds they develop with patients through the particular nurse-patient dynamic of a residential care environment can provide the patients with a positive, dignified experience. This can give nursing home nurses a feeling of satisfaction that may be unique among nursing positions.
The Fortis nurse training programs, including the Associate Degree in Nursing and practical nursing diploma programs, can help prepare you to succeed as a nursing home nurse. Our programs are designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills you’ll need to provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients. Learn how we can help shape your future.
Recommended Readings
Creating a Work/Life Balance as a Nurse
What Is a Geriatric Nurse?
What It’s Like to Be a Hospice Nurse