Nursing home facilities require a variety of different personnel to provide the best care they can to the individuals who call these places their home. Nurses are extremely crucial in providing this care and they are in high demand due to an aging population and an increase in the number of facilities that are becoming available. Nurses that work nursing homes play a key role in helping to make individuals feel less like they are living in an institution and more at home in their surroundings.
Nursing Job Roles
There are different types of nursing roles that one might find in a nursing home and we will explore just a few here. There are different levels of education required for these different positions but we will focus on the ones that you might be able to obtain as a Registered Nurse after completing the Associate of Science Nursing degree at Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology.
Geriatric nurses are trained and skilled in providing care specifically to older adults. They are concerned with making sure that patients can maintain their expected quality of life and they are equipped to help adults deal with the challenges that come with aging. Geriatric nurses also often help older adults manage age related illnesses and are called upon to help patients carry out day to day activities including those related to hygiene and medication management. Communication is a key skill for these individuals because they have to be able to educate patients as well as their families about specific care needs based on the medical issues that are present.
Long-term Care Nurse
Long-term care nurses provide extended care to patients who are living with chronic and progressive illnesses. Individuals in these roles are often involved in creating comprehensive care plans and working with other medical personnel to make sure that plans are successfully followed. Long-term care nurses routinely assist individuals who have lost the ability to care for themselves which might last for a short time after an accident or surgery or for a longer time due to an extended illness or disability. Individuals in this role often develop strong relationships with the patients they are helping and, in addition to practical medical care, they often provide emotional support for their patients. Long-term care nurse jobs are in very high demand due to a rapidly aging population and there are many opportunities available.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse
Psychiatric mental health nurses can assist patients with effectively managing issues and medication related to mental health. Many studies indicate that individuals in assisted living facilities are dealing with some form of mental health distress or illness and there is a need for someone with specialized training to assist with caring for them. Psychiatric mental health nurses can assess a person’s mental health through screenings and assessments and then work with a physician to develop a specific plan of care that can help improve the patient’s overall wellbeing.
Next Steps to your Nursing Career
Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology would like the opportunity to help you get started with your nursing career. We offer a two-year Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program that provides training and mentorship to help you achieve your goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. Here you can find a flexible learning environment with comprehensive exam preparation and quality job placement services once you have completed the program. To learn more about the nursing programs at our different campuses you can click here. We hope to hear from you soon.