Assisted Living Nurses & CNAs Find PRN Jobs with Nursa™

Learn Why Nurses & CNAs Choose to Work in Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities are long-term care centers for elderly individuals or patients with disabilities. As the name implies, assisted-living facilities are appropriate only for those people who require a minimal amount of assistance with their activities of daily living (ADLs).

Assisted living is a long-term care option that can help the elderly during their transition to a new phase in life in which they require help with the management of their personal health and/or ADLs.

Nurses, both registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and other healthcare professionals provide 24-hour supervision in assisted living facilities and various levels of personal and medical services for residents.

As the baby boomer population continues to age, the demand for more long-term facilities continues to grow. As a result, many assisted living facilities are dealing with staffing shortages and increasingly turning to nurse staffing solutions to fill those workplace shortages with PRN nursing jobs.

Where Does an Assisted Living Nurse or CNA Work?

Assisted living facilities (ALFs), are one of the fastest-growing housing options for senior citizens in the United States. These healthcare facilities can be standalone units that only house residents who require a minimal level of assistance, or, these places are units connected to entire complexes that are either long-term care facilities, hospitals, or other healthcare centers.

What Does an Assisted Living Nurse Do?

Nursing homes and hospitals provide higher acuity levels of care than what you find in an assisted living facility. Nurses and CNAs who pick up PRN jobs in assisted living settings help with a variety of activities, including:

• Personal care activities, such as dressing or bathing
• Medication administration and management
• Memory care routines that can provide individualized treatment for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, or other related illnesses
• General assistance during meals and social activities
• Exercise opportunities and general wellness programs
• Physical or occupational therapy exercises and activities
• Communication with family members to address the resident’s evolving level of needs and to keep them informed of any emergencies

Essential Qualities of a Successful Assisted Living Nurse

Nurses who work in assisted living facilities spend a lot of time working with people of the geriatric population. In order to provide the best quality of care to these patients, a nurse must be very empathetic and passionate with the elderly. Patience is a virtue when working with this population, although as a nurse or CNA in this specialty, that is not always an option. Therefore, nurses who work in assisted living must be able to roll with the punches and work well independently.

Recommended Certifications for Assisted Living Nurses

Registered nurses serious about a career in assisted living may look at furthering their education in this nursing specialty. If this is you, there is a National Assisted Living Manager Certification Course (NALMCC) provided by the American Caregiver Association that can help you prove your dedication to knowledge in the field and can give you a competitive edge in your professional portfolio with Nursa™. Additionally, most hospitals and surgery centers require a BLS (Basic Life Support) certification. Other certifications may be required or shown preference.