Types of Nurses Who Run a Nursing Home

Nursing homes are private institutions providing accommodation and healthcare usually for elderly people. Part of the team working in these facilities is registered, nurses. Caring for elderly residents in a nursing home is a big responsibility as many need special medical attention.

A registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse and certified nursing assistants are the three types of nurses who work at a nursing home. Sometimes, a nurse practitioner might be part of the team. In every case, a nurse in each type has a job description and a different level of responsibility

Nurse Practitioner

A nursing home that chose to employ an NP most likely hires specialist gerontology. Geriatric Nurse Practitioners (GNPs) spend most of their time consulting about the health and wellness of residents. They consult with the patients, their families, Doctors, nursing staff, and therapists. They also deal with the management of long-term care, prescribe physical therapy and adjust medication. Although they spend less time making an initial diagnosis, GNPs should know about existing conditions, drug interactions and new symptoms in their patients.

Registered Nurses

An RN has more education and training than others unless there is a nurse practitioner. RNs in nursing homes supervise other nurses and work directly under a medical doctor. Usually, their professional title is a head nurse. They have the responsibility to designate assignments and make working schedules for LPNs and CNAs.

Apart from the supervisory role, RNs also have a specific job. They have a duty to offer total care for the residents by initiating the treatment plans and administer medicine. They prepare IVs, take vital signs and give injections. The nursing responsibilities may include monitoring health of ailing residents to make sure that they get proper care. Additionally, an RN is responsible for interaction of the residents/patients with members of the family and reports any changes to their health or living condition.

LPNs

The main role of an LPN working a nursing home is to provide direct bedside care. The head RN supervises them as carry out their routine care to patients. They are responsible for the general hygiene and daily care for the patients. The role of an LPN is a nursing home is physical demanding as it requires moving patients out of their beds or changing their position to the most comfortable. An LPN can work independently or with an RN. They are responsible for any tasks that help to make a patient comfortable.

LPNs are also responsible for taking vital signs of their patients such as temperature, blood pressure, oxygen level, heart rate and respiration.

Other duties of an LPN

LPNs always report to the RN in charge if any problem arises.

CNA

The role of a CNA in a nursing home is assisting the LPNs. Many community colleges run training programs for CNAs. Those who want to work a nursing home should be certified.

ACNA will do some tasks that LPNs nurses do although their some which are beyond their range. For instance, CNAs cannot supply IV medicines or administer other medicines. They also cannot start an IV of the LPN can do it.

Some basic tasks that CNAs do might include:

It is a big responsibility to work as an RN, LPN or CNA in nursing home facility. You must take care of both the well-being and health of the patient. Some of the patients cannot perform even the most basic tasks on their own and depend on nurses for their well-being as well comfort. Working in a nursing home requires proper education and dedication as the job can be quite demanding.