Professional nurses improving the quality of nursing home care
The phrase "nursing home" may suggest that the staff is made up primarily of professional nurses, particularly since people know that medical concerns are always an issue in retirement homes. However, this staffing configuration is not always the case, as federal and state regulations can vary in terms of what the facility is required to provide to its residents. Funding often plays a role as regulators are looking for particular staffing models or a definitive plan to increase the number of key professionals.
While certain tasks can be provided by different types of individuals, there is certainly value when skilled professionals like licensed nurses are in key roles. It may be more costly to employ professional nurses, but it can often be a solid investment for retirement facilities. With that in mind, here are a few ways that professional nurses improve the quality of nursing home care.
Ability to handle difficult situations
Nurses have the advantage over other staff in that they are theoretically trained to deal with challenging and complex medical situations. People that go to nursing school must go through a rigorous education that includes science, diagnosis and treatment. When people work in a nursing home, they may encounter a variety of situations that can range from the routine to a major medical crisis. Not all professional nurses are the same, but many have the knowledge and emotional stability to deal with issues that may come up in a nursing home. Nursing facilities want to employ people who are calm and who can maintain their professionalism even in difficult scenarios.
Medical complications
When it comes to particular situations, nurses in a nursing or convalescent facility may deal with a wide variety of medical issues. Obviously, the residents of a nursing facility are often in poor physical shape or have had difficult illnesses in the past. Residents of a nursing home may deal with ongoing physical problems, and they may need to take multiple medications and follow particular orders from their attending doctors. Professional nurses are typically more qualified to manage ongoing treatment so that residents are not left to remember all of the details that are required for their daily care.
Regulations and funding
Another reason for employing professional nurses is that organizations are being increasingly scrutinized by accrediting and governmental bodies. In addition, lawsuits are always a concern with this type of industry. As the baby boomers continue to retire and look toward eventual nursing care, there is additional pressure on medical insurance plans to make sure that organizations are being responsible with the funding from various programs. If an organization is going to suggest that it is providing medical care to its residents, it needs to prove that it has the professionals on staff to meet the obligations of the institutional promises.
Big business and client service
Finally, there is the issue of organizational cost. Nursing care is a major industry, and people are often very serious about where they put their aging parents. Plenty of people have heard horror stories about seniors who have received terrible care in dark and dirty facilities. Therefore, organizations that want to market themselves often need to employ a staff that includes professional nurses. Professional nurses give people a greater sense of security when they are ready to commit a loved one to a facility that may be their final home.
