Considering a Career in Long Term Care
Nursing Services
Several levels of professionals within the nursing staff provide quality nursing care.
1. The RNs plan for patient care by assessing patient needs, and developing and monitoring care plans in conjunction with a physician and facility Care Planning Team. Several levels of Registered Nurses – including Unit Directors, Assistant Directors of Nursing, and Directors of Nursing (DON) – supervise all nursing services. The DON is responsible for monitoring the overall quality of care at the facility as well as the facility's compliance with federal and state regulations.
Education requirements for Registered Nurses vary according to the type of program. Nursing programs include diploma nurses who are graduates from hospital schools of nursing, Associate degree nurses from two year programs and Bachelor degree nurses from four year programs. Some nurses have advanced degrees and practice at the DON or other leadership positions. All nurses graduating from any type of nursing program are required to successfully pass state board testing to obtain a license to practice.
2. A Charge Nurse or Unit Manager is an RN or LPN who is responsible for the supervision of a unit within the nursing home. The Charge Nurse schedules and supervises nursing staff and provides care to facility patients.
3. The LPN provides each patient with daily routine medications, necessary medical treatments, change of dressings and other related treatments as prescribed by the attending physician. LPN programs require one year of post-high school education, as well as successfully passing a state-licensing exam.