Nurses who start working in the senior living field often describe it as a different kind of nursing altogether. If you’re interested in making the switch to senior living, read on to learn what that shift actually involves including, the pace, relationships, range of care, and parts of the job that surprise people most.
A Typical Nursing Shift in Senior Living
A nursing shift in senior living includes the typical clinical skills needed anywhere – such as medication rounds, wound care, vitals, and documentation. However, nurses who’ve made the switch from hospitals or urgent care often say the biggest difference is how much of the job is relationship. A nurse might learn that a resident wants to chat about her grandchildren before she’ll agree to a blood pressure check or which resident gets anxious during storms and needs a few extra minutes of company. The long-term relationship-building as a nurse in senior living is what makes this work feel different from anything else in healthcare.
The Pace of Work as A Senior Living Nurse
Many nurses coming from hospital settings notice the pace almost immediately. The rhythm is built around long-term care of residents instead of short-term care of patients. This means there is more time to actually sit with a patient, more room to build trust, and fewer moments spent racing between rooms without a chance to catch a breath.
Career Growth in Senior Living
Because senior living communities often provide a full spectrum of care under one roof, from independent living through skilled nursing and rehabilitation, nurses have room to explore different specialties without changing employers. Many build long careers this way, moving between departments, picking up certifications, and eventually stepping into leadership roles themselves.
Considering the Switch?
Nurses at Friendship Village build lasting relationships with residents, grow into new specialties, and enjoy the flexibility and support of a career in senior living. Learn more about our nursing team and browse open positions.