ALF RN nursing skills

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · May 31, 2009

Not at all. You use a lot of physical and psychosocial assessment skills in ALF, but for the most part, you don't even pass meds or give insulin. In fact, I rarely even did wound care or ostomies when I was a DON in assisted living.........simple tasks were taught and delegated to staff, while complex situations were either dealt with by home health nurses or by sending the resident to a SNF until the condition resolved.

I have to wonder, though, why you don't like using clinical skills? Are you perhaps new and unsure of yourself or your ability to perform? If you are, you would do well to get that solid foundation of clinical and assessment skills down first before attempting to delegate them to others, IMHO. Otherwise, if you're skilled but just not into bedside nursing, an ALF position will probably be good for you.

Best of luck!

espritjolieRN · May 31, 2009

Thanks for your reply. I work in a clinic as RN. Most of my position involves telephone triage and handling walk in patients with medical complaints. I feel like my assessment skills and pathophys knowledge are good. I know what to ask, what to assess, and what differentials to consider with presenting sxs. 10% of my job involves IVs and caths. I have so much anxiety about them and I can't seem to shake it. Time has not made it any better. I'm afraid of not being able to get a successful start or locate the right spot for a female cath... And it's not that I'm really lousy at it... it's just that I'm just not as good at it as I need to be to not have a near panic attack when the order comes in.

achot chavi · Jun 1, 2009

This is what I love about nursing, there is something for everyone,

being an ALF nurse will hone your professional skills in patience, creativity, teaching and interpersonal relationships, time management etc,

You will have to be knowledgeable in many areas for your patients good , and will need to read up for tips on how to deal with your patients and their families but generally we are not talking IV's or cath;s usually,.

You will need to know when to seek outside medical treatment and how to transfer pts to the closest hospital for care etc. You will need to know how to emotionally help your patient deal with the transition to this part of their lives, some might welcome it ,some might grieve their previous level of health.

Good Luck and good for you!!!