Assisted Living Nurses

backatit2 · Jan 17, 2011

What is it like working in this type of setting? What are you duties?
From my understanding, Assisted Living is different that working at a nursing home? How so?

i'm not even a nurse yet, but my great grandmother is in an assisted living facility. i would say there is probably a huge difference. for one thing, the cost of her facility comes out of her pocket and it's about 5k per month (no medicaid/medicare). that changes the environment alone. in order to be allowed to stay there, she has to be "self sufficient" which isn't a good term, but basically none of the residents are bed ridden. they have to be able to go to the bathroom. for instance, she's fallen down twice since she's been there and my sister in law had to go pick her up and take her to the ER (another difference). she's also been losing control of her bowels. we're afraid if something else happens, they'll say she can't stay there. it's basically for people who can get around, but need help remembering when to take their medication, need help with meals, and are afraid to be left alone. she doesn't really need to be in a nursing home, but what if she fell and nobody was around like they are at the facility? or what if she left the stove on (which has happened). there is just a world of difference in the two places so i can only imagine the jobs are a lot different as well. i'd imagine it's probably harder to get a job in assisted living also. i've never even seen a nurse there - just one CNA in her unit. it's a very nice place - not hospital-like at all.

INLPN93 · Jan 17, 2011

You chart by exception. Meaning only in the event of a condition change, med order change or addition of therapy or home health nursing do you chart.

I usually charted on MD appointments also.

The meds are about the same you'd see in LTC, but only po meds, injections & neb tx's. No foleys, IVs or tube feeding/meds.

This was my experience in AL. I loved it, but due to cenus changes it became a job with undepenable hours and very low pay. In the end the two didn't mix well for me.

grateful2010, LPN, LVN · Jan 20, 2011

thank you!