Long-Term Care Nursing is an ‘Underrated Specialty’

• A long-term care nurse must have a special interest in caring for the aging population, excellent time management skills, and the ability to successfully tackle urgent situations.  
• Salary for long-term care nurses will vary depending on location, the type of long-term care specialty, and if you are an LPN or an RN.  
• If you enjoy being challenged, have excellent time management skills, and can adapt quickly to changing circumstances, then long-term care nursing might be for you.  

As a licensed nurse of nine years, I’ve spent much of my career in 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.

So, I’m breaking down this underrated specialty that I feel is one of the best in nursing. 

Why I Became a Long-Term Care Nurse

My passion for helping others started at an early age. My mother and grandmother were certified nursing assistants at the nursing home where I grew up. My mom would occasionally take me with her so I could see where she worked, and that’s where my compassion for, and interest in caring for, elderly people began.

I’ve always felt a special bond with the aging population and feel my most authentic self around them. Although I can be shy and reserved, being around the aging population has helped grow my confidence and brought me out of my shell. Caring for elderly patients is a big 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.

Qualifications & Certifications for a LTC Nurse

A long-term care nurse must have a particular interest in caring for the aging population, excellent time management skills, and the ability to tackle urgent situations successfully. CPR and first aid certifications are helpful, along with continuing education specific to long-term care nursing, such as end-of-life care, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Dysphagia, and DNR (Do Not Resuscitate). Reviewing these topics and thoroughly understanding them is vital to being a successful long-term care nurse.

Salary

Salary varies depending on a variety of factors, including location, the type of long-term care specialty you work in, and whether you are an LPN or an RN.   

Nurses in a skilled nursing care facility typically make more than nurses in assisted living long-term care because assisted living residents require less care than those in skilled nursing. LPNs also make a little less than an RN since RNs have more education and advanced skills.

Typical Workday

Long-term care, especially skilled nursing care, is a fast-paced environment. You’re 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 are all essential aspects of long-term care.

Valuable Information in the Long-Term Care Field

Long-term care nursing may benefit you if you enjoy being challenged, have excellent time management skills, and can adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Although physically demanding, the elderly are an advantageous group of people to care for, and you’ll see the difference you make in their lives each day. 

Just remember they also have unique challenges, such as managing several health ailments at once. The occurrence of falls and rapid decline in health are common in this age group. Death occurs frequently, meaning an emotionally strong nurse is essential in long-term care.   

Long-term care nursing is one nursing specialty where you’ll make significant use of all the skills you learned in nursing school, plus learn a few more.

Best Aspects of Long-Term Care Nursing

For me, the best part of long-term care nursing is seeing the smiles on the faces of the patients I care for. Elderly patients have so much wisdom and numerous life stories, and they would love to have conversations with you about their lives. I’ve learned a lot from my patients about life and what’s truly important.   

Another aspect of long-term nursing care that separates it from other specialties is teamwork. I’ve worked in other specialties, and the teamwork I’ve experienced in long-term care is unbeatable. The other nurses and CNAs are the backbone of your shift. Without them, navigating a long-term nursing shift would be difficult and impossible. CNAs are sometimes the first to notice small details and changes in an elderly patient’s status and report them to the nurse.   

Other nurses are there to assist you during an emergency or when a patient needs to be transferred to the hospital. They’re your saving grace in the moments when you feel stressed and overwhelmed, and they’re always willing to share the weight of the shift with you to help patients. You’ll never feel alone in long-term care nursing.

Benefits of Long-Term Care Nursing

Working in long-term care has significantly benefited my nursing career in many ways. Taking the opportunity to be the charge nurse at a few facilities helped me develop leadership skills and improve my communication skills. 

It has also strongly influenced my confidence in my ability to complete complex nursing tasks. The well-rounded nursing knowledge I’ve gained through long-term care has enabled me to teach other nurses what I’ve learned, especially through sharing my experiences at Nursing CE Central. Having numerous published nursing articles online is one of my proudest career achievements.

The Bottom Line

Long-term care nursing is a specialty that 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.   

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