If you are passionate about caring for older adults, a career as an assisted living nurse may be an excellent choice. Nurses who work in assisted living facilities specialize in helping individuals maximize their quality of life while providing nursing care and assisting with activities of daily living.
The 2020 U.S. Census statistics reveal that the older adult population aged 65+ increased during the last decade at the fastest rate since the late 1800s. The World Health Organization projects an increase in the world’s population aged 60+ from 1 billion people in 2020 to 1.4 billion in 2030. By 2050, this number is projected to double and reach approximately 2.1 billion people aged 60 and over.
The aging population in the U.S. requires trained nurses to provide care in assisted living facilities and other non-traditional care settings such as within the patient’s home. This blog overviews the path to becoming an assisted living nurse, from the education required to the continuing education and mentorship that can set you apart with skills and knowledge to excel in caring for older adults.
What is an Assisted Living Nurse?
Registered nurses working in assisted living settings hold professional roles providing routine nursing care to residents of assisted living communities. As a form of long-term care, assisted living facilities offer specialized nursing care for older adults inclusive of:
- Medication management
- Nutritional support
- Mobility assistance
- Social activities
An assisted living nurse monitors the medical status of the residents and cares for patients in a holistic manner. Family support and emotional wellness are essential components of assisted living care. Nurses require knowledge of medical and assistive devices used amongst the patient population in assisted living.
Roles of an Assisted Living Nurse
A registered nurse (RN) may become an assisted living nurse and is typically trained in the assisted living setting with additional skills relevant to the patient population. Assessment skills including taking patient health histories and conducting physical examinations are important components of assisted living care. Interdisciplinary teams are common in assisted living facilities, and assisted living nurses collaborate regularly with other team members such as:
- Health care administrators
- Social workers and chaplains
- Physician medical directors
- Nursing assistants
- Specialists such as dieticians, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists
An assisted living nurse will monitor the health status of the residents, collaborate with family members and coordinate care that happens outside of the facility. Additionally, if the patient requires assistance managing their daily medication regimens, the nurse working in assisted living may administer medications.
Patient outcomes depend on quality nursing care. In situations where hospice may become involved, assisted living nurses will collaborate with hospice nursing case managers to ensure comfort measures are appropriately delivered. A goal of the assisted living nurse is to maintain consistency in nursing care measures provided by each team member from different organizations and throughout the patient’s residency at the facility.
Education and Training for Assisted Living Nurses
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is the preferred education for becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). Licensed RNs are eligible to work in assisted living facilities and also frequently serve as case managers. An assisted living nurse is just one of many nursing careers for BSN-prepared nurses.
Assisted living care is a niche area where newer nurses can benefit from mentorship in key areas such as cognitive health, behavioral interventions, fall prevention, and mental health care.
Certification is available by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for nurses who want to gain recognition for their competency in the knowledge and skills for delivering quality gerontological care.
Cognitive Health
Many assisted living facilities attain certification for providing a safe and beneficial environment for patients with dementia who may require memory care. Assisted living communities frequently have separate memory care sections. Assessment of neurological status and interventions for psychosocial support are part of the training for nurses who work in this environment.
Behavioral Interventions
Older adults may exhibit different behavioral symptoms requiring competency in addressing issues such as agitation, wandering, and the effects on other assisted living residents. Assisted living nurses are trained in managing these situations and planning care to prevent injury-related behaviors.
Fall Prevention
Preventing falls is an important measure of quality senior care. Nurses assess the fall risk of each patient and their home environment to identify modifications that can reduce risk. Fall prevention measures decrease situations that can lead to patient health decline and distress.
Mental Health Care
Older adults may demonstrate unique signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Knowing how to identify mental health challenges in the aging population is an important skill for assisted living nurses so that treatable conditions are not ignored. Likewise, the ability to provide beneficial cognitive stimulation seen in recreational activities offered for assisted living facility residents can boost emotional and social wellness.
Assisted Living Nurse Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage in May 2023 for RNs working in nursing and residential care facilities was approximately $79,280 annually. These positions may require nurses to work different shifts, including weekends and holidays, to provide nursing care coverage for assisted living facility residents.
An assisted living nurse provides a meaningful presence in the life of each resident who receives nursing care. The longer-term professional relationships between assisted living nurses and their patients can add personal fulfillment to the job, which is a unique aspect of this specialty area.
Begin Your Nursing Journey with Holy Family University
If you desire to provide nursing care to older adults, you can earn your BSN degree on an efficient timeline with Holy Family University (HFU) and transition into the nursing field. An accelerated BSN (ABSN) program is a fast-track option available for applicants with a current bachelor’s degree.
Why choose Holy Family for your Accelerated BSN if you already hold a bachelor’s degree?
- Students can graduate in just 14 months
- Affordable tuition
- High NCLEX-RN pass rates
- Fewer prerequisite courses required (5 at HFU vs. 8 or 9 with competitors)
Visit the Second Degree Distance Hybrid BSN program page today to learn more about this exciting educational opportunity.
