Long Term Care Nurse: Nursing Specialties Breakdown

• Learn how to become a long-term care nurse, including the necessary qualifications and skills necessary to succeed.
• Understand the typical role of a nurse in this specialty, including the typical workday and the salary.
• Gain insight from a long-term care nurse on why this specialty is so fulfilling and if it may be the right career choice for you.

As a licensed nurse of nine years, I have spent much of my career in the long-term care specialties. I often get asked why I chose this specialty, the perks of being a nurse in long-term care, and the most valuable information someone interested in this specialty should know. Let us discuss this underrated specialty that I feel is one of the best in nursing.

My passion for helping others started at an early age when my mother and grandmother were working as Certified Nursing Assistants at a nursing home where I grew up. My mom would occasionally take me there with her to see where she worked; this is where my compassion and caring for elderly people began.

I have always felt a special bond with the aging population and feel my most authentic self when around them. I can be a shy and reserved person and being around the aging population has helped grow my confidence and brought me out of my shell. Caring for elderly patients is a large part of who I am, and I take immense pride in the accomplishment of becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse and caring for this special population of people.

Qualifications and Necessary Skills

The qualifications of a long-term care nurse involve having a special interest in caring for the aging population, excellent time management skills, and the ability to successfully tackle urgent situations. The individual must have a valid RN license, CPR, and First aid.

It is also beneficial to take nursing continuing education courses involving topics that are specific to this specialty such as End of Life Care, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Dysphagia, and DNR (Do Not Resuscitate). Reviewing these topics and having a thorough understanding of them is vital to being a successful long-term care nurse.

Typical Workday of a Long-Term Care Nurse

Working in long-term care, especially in skilled nursing care, is a fast-paced working environment. As a nurse, you are on your feet the entire shift receiving reports, processing medication orders, calling physicians, communicating with the pharmacy, dealing with emergency scenarios, passing medications, assisting with mealtimes, completing nursing documentation, and supervising certified nursing assistants every shift.

Salary of Long-Term Care Nurse

The salary will vary depending on a variety of factors such as location, type of long-term care specialty, and if you are an LPN or an RN. For example, nurses working in a skilled nursing care facility will typically make more than a nurse working in assisted living long-term care since those living in assisted living require less nursing care than those living in skilled nursing care environments. LPNS also make a little less than an RN since RNs have a little more education and advanced skills than those of LPNs.

Considering a Career as a Long-Term Care Nurse

If you are a nurse who enjoys being challenged, possesses great time management skills, and has the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances, then long-term care nursing may be for you. Although very physically demanding, the elderly population is an extremely rewarding group of people to care for and you will see the difference you make in their lives each day.

The elderly population has unique challenges as they are usually struggling with several health ailments at once such as pain, diabetes, memory deficits, swallowing or drinking difficulties, and mobility challenges. The occurrence of falls and rapid decline in health are common among this age group. It is also important to note that death is a frequent occurrence as well and because of this factor, a nurse who is emotionally strong is very much needed in long-term care.

This is a nursing specialty where you will make significant use of all the skills you learned in nursing school, plus learn a few more. For myself, the best part of long-term care nursing is seeing the smiles on the faces I care for each day. Elderly patients have so much wisdom and numerous life stories and they love to have conversations with you about their lives. I have learned so much about life from the aging population, and about the things that are truly important.

Another aspect that I feel separates this specialty from others is teamwork. I have worked in other specialties and the teamwork I have experienced in long-term care is invaluable. The other nurses and certified nursing assistants are the backbone of your shift. Without them, navigating a long-term care nursing shift would become very difficult and impossible. Certified nursing assistants are sometimes the first to notice small details and changes in an elderly patient’s status and report them to the nurse.

Other nurses will be there to assist you when you are dealing with an emergency or have a patient who needs to be transferred to the hospital. If you are interested in long-term care nursing, you will never feel alone.

The Bottom Line

Long-term care nursing is a specialty that I feel does not always receive the attention it deserves. Since people are living longer and the elderly population is growing, long-term care nurses and the supporting staff are vital components of the healthcare system. It is important to have individuals who have a passion to help this vulnerable population and assist them in achieving positive health outcomes.

This specialty is complex, demanding, and extremely rewarding. I am privileged to be a long-term care nurse and to discuss what this specialty means to me, and I hope I inspire more nurses to join this specialty.

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