Embarking on a new nursing career is an exciting journey that combines your passion, compassion, and commitment to excellence. At Haven Health, we are proud to help prospective and new nurses start their healthcare careers on the right foot.
We understand the unique aspirations of new healthcare professionals entering the nursing field. Our team is committed to meeting these aspirations by providing opportunities for new nurses like you who want to work one-on-one with patients. Haven Health’s skilled nursing facilities cater to patients seeking the best rehabilitative and long-term healthcare.
The quality care we provide is thanks to outstanding nurses who are committed to making a difference in their patient’s lives. Read on to learn more about why skilled nursing facilities are some of the best healthcare settings new nurses can work in.
Get in touch today to see how Haven Health can serve you.
Why should I work at a skilled nursing facility?
Skilled nursing facilities offer a one-of-a-kind experience for new nurses who are looking to expand their skill set and practice their craft in a setting where consistency and routine are the norm. In this type of healthcare setting, new nurses often debate between working at a skilled nursing facility or a nursing home. But what’s the difference between each, and which setting might best serve your needs?
Nursing homes vs. skilled nursing facilities
At first glance, skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes have a lot of overlap in terms of the care and service they provide to their patients. Nursing homes are much like assisted living facilities and are generally geared toward older individuals who need support with everyday activities like getting dressed, moving around, and eating. Nursing homes can also help support disabled individuals and seniors who are struggling with health conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
While skilled nursing facilities can certainly offer specialized care to seniors who need it, they will also help support individuals who require rehabilitative care for an extended period of time. Often, if a patient receives care at a hospital for an extended period, they will often be transferred to a skilled nursing facility to continue their treatment.
Additionally, in a skilled nursing facility, patients will generally receive specialized care with nurses and medical staff working one-on-one with them. These healthcare professionals will provide care, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, wound care, intravenous therapy, and much more.
While nurses are found in both nursing facilities and skilled nursing homes, a skilled nursing facility nurse can be exposed to a variety of clinical settings, allowing them to improve their overall skill set. An assisted living facility nurse is a critical healthcare professional in a nursing home, and CNAs, or certified nursing assistants, are often the backbone of everyday care with senior residents.
What makes a good new nurse?
As a new nurse, you may feel overwhelmed or even nervous about your first official day on the job. The care of your patients is in your hands, and it can feel like an overwhelming pressure to make sure you offer the best care possible.
Working as a c facility or a skilled nursing facility can be a great place to work through these complex feelings. These facilities allow you to work alongside other experienced nurses and medical professionals, giving you the confidence to be the best nurse you can be.
At both facilities, the daily job responsibilities of a nurse will include:
- Providing one-on-one care to your patients
- Checking vital signs
- Assessing patient conditions
- Dressing wounds
- Administering medication and so much more
Why is working in a nursing facility better than a hospital as a nurse?
New nurses are often drawn to working in a hospital facility for their first role. While hospital facilities can be excellent places to work, some advantages of nursing are best found in the skilled nursing facility setting.
Less busy than hospitals
For starters, skilled nursing facilities are much less chaotic than hospital settings tend to be. Skilled nursing facilities do not have the unexpected day-to-day operations that can often be found in the hospital setting. For nurses who value consistency and routine, a skilled nursing facility can offer that.
Improve your skills with specialized care
Skilled nursing facilities can also help new nurses expand their skill set due to the unique clinical setting skilled nursing facilities offer. Work alongside a specialist in occupational therapy, speech therapy, and intravenous therapy and advance your overall skill set with different medical services. While hospital facilities can offer similar clinical experiences, the one-on-one interactions with other healthcare professionals at a skilled nursing facility are unmatched.
Why are assisted living centers great to work at as a new nurse?
There are many reasons why assisted living centers make great workplaces for new nurses. Consider the following advantages when working as an assisted living nurse.
Collaborate with the best
As a new nurse, collaboration can be a game changer in developing your craft. Assisted living centers allow new nurses to collaborate with medical professionals, including specialists, nurse practitioners, doctors, care facility directors, and others. Patients in assisted living facilities are also stakeholders in their care, and nurses can work one-on-one with patients to ensure they receive the personalized medical care they need.
Work with patients one-on-one
Because of the unique nature of skilled nursing facilities, nurses get to work with patients one-on-one for extended periods of time. This allows you to develop meaningful and long-lasting relationships with the patients you care for. For many nurses, this is one of the most fulfilling aspects of their career. Helping others has never been easier than working as a skilled nursing facility nurse.
Innovative learning
Patients in skilled nursing facilities have unique needs that only these types of facilities can best provide. As a nurse in this work environment, you’ll be able to explore different aspects of healthcare services in depth. From working with physical therapy teams to watching a treatment plan unfold from start to finish, nurses in skilled nursing facilities can gain in-depth experience and invaluable insight that can help propel them further into their careers.
Be a part of a holistic approach
Skilled nursing facilities count on the care and support of experienced medical professionals, families, and other critical support groups a patient brings to the table. As a nurse, you’ll be an integral part of this support team and can help provide your patients with a holistic approach to best meet their medical care needs. This type of holistic approach is often not found in other healthcare settings like a hospital or a doctor’s office. Experience what it means to be truly invested in a patient’s care plan when you work at a skilled nursing facility.
Start your career in nursing at Haven Health
At Haven Health, we are proud to help aspiring and new nurses just like you settle into a career you will love for years to come. Our skilled nursing facilities are successful and offer unmatched care because of health professionals like you.
Learn more about our available nurse training programs and more when you visit our career center. Take the first step to a bright future today and contact Haven Health.
Sources:
Advanced Practice FAQs. (2023).
Alzheimer’s Long Term Care. (2023).
Nursing Assistant Types. (2023).