In the dynamic and demanding realm of healthcare, the role of a skilled nursing facility (SNF) nurse is vital and multifaceted. A day of these exceptional individuals unfolds against the backdrop of compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the safety, happiness, and well-being of their residents.
Nurses in assisted living and skilled nursing navigate a labyrinth of responsibilities and key roles that encompass not only medical expertise but also the emotional and social support those they serve require. Each day brings a unique set of challenges, triumphs, and opportunities for personal connection, making the role of a nurse in a nursing facility an indispensable cornerstone in the continuum of care for those in their capable hands.
What is your daily routine as a nurse in an assisted living facility?
The role of an assisted living facility nurse is not always what meets the eye, and a day in the life unfolds with a balance among medical expertise, compassionate care, and furthering their education on the latest practices and procedures. The nurse is responsible for all medical staff on their unit and ensures that responsibilities are being executed while also lending a helping hand and providing their team with the support they need.
As their day begins, the nurse is made aware of resident status and any concerns or incidents that happened during the previous shift. The nurse then begins by assessing the overall health of residents, reviewing medical records, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to devise and revise personalized care plans.
Medication administration and monitoring are a vital service that nurses perform to ensure the welfare of their charges. The role involves coordinating with families and facilitating communication between healthcare providers. While the role of a nurse in an assisted living facility is not as demanding as that in a skilled nursing facility, it is still a role that has a unique set of challenges and barriers one must overcome to be successful.
We wish we could definitively explain the daily routine of any kind of nurse; however, because of the unique clientele and the intimate role nurses play, every day varies, making a daily schedule more difficult to adhere to. However, there are time-sensitive responsibilities that must fit into the day, such as medication administration, resident mealtimes, wound care, ensuring residents are available for appointments, etc.
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What is your daily routine as a nurse in a skilled nursing facility?
Skilled nursing facility nurses play a significant hands-on role. Like in assisted living, pinning down a routine can be a challenge because of the uniqueness and ever-changing dynamics of the role. Tasks such as medication administration, wound care, mealtimes, and appointments are time-sensitive, just like in an assisted living facility, making those tasks individual aspects of the daily routine of an SNF nurse. The best way to describe the ins and outs of an SNF and assisted living nurse is not in a daily routine but in describing the daily functions of a nurse.
What are some daily tasks of a nurse?
Daily job responsibilities of a nurse can vary depending on factors like the number of nurses on the floor, the facility and its policies, and the type of nurse.
Generally speaking, the daily responsibilities of a nurse include, but are by no means limited to the following:
- Assess residents
- Start IVs
- Distribute oral and IV medications
- Collect blood samples
- Perform physical exams
- Conduct various diagnostic testing
- Educate
- Collaborate with other medical providers
- Coordinate treatment
- Supervise other facility medical staff
- Wound care
- Documentation
- Vital signs
- New orders
- New admissions
- Discharges
What is a typical day at work for a nurse?
While we can’t give you a definitive routine for a nurse, we can offer some insight into what a typical day for a nurse looks like. The nurse takes on some managerial roles and, as such, a day can become disruptive, depending on what is occurring in the building. If someone falls or becomes increasingly combative, it is the nurse on duty who is responsible for assessing and appropriately managing the situation.
A typical day for a nurse generally looks something like this:
- Receive a report at the beginning of the shift
- Review documentation for new orders or changes in the care plan
- Identify which residents require assessments and/or weights that day
- Morning medication pass
- Document all care that was provided
- Lunch medication pass
- Lunch
- Documentation, return phone calls, collaboration with physicians
- Provide wound care and/or change dressings
- Complete any unfinished documentation
- Give reports to oncoming nurses
- Clock out and go home
Why is Haven Health the best in skilled nursing in Arizona?
Our dedicated and compassionate nursing team at Haven Health is what sets us apart from the others. Our staff is committed to ensuring the well-being of our residents while assisting them with activities of daily living (ADLs), promoting independence, and the right to be a part of their care planning. With Haven Health, you can rest easy knowing that your loved one receives the care and support they need in a safe and friendly environment.
We support and provide the resources necessary for our nurses to be successful. We strongly believe in the philosophy that we are not co-workers but family, and we treat each other as equals. If you are looking for an exciting career opportunity as a nurse where you can grow and flourish, consider Haven Health as your next career adventure.
Contact Haven Health to learn more about our facilities and services
References:
A Day In The Life Of An RN In A Skilled Facility. (2022).