Your loved one has entered, or is about to enter a nursing home.
You are aware that nursing care is the key to their short or
long term stay, and their progress. You have questions about
the role of the nursing department, and the prognosis of your
loved ones.
The Director of Nursing oversees the whole department, and is
the direct supervisor of the shift nursing supervisor. The Director
of Nursing works side-by-side with the Administrator, answering
concerns that staff can not handle on the unit level.
Your contact person will be the unit manager, a registered nurse
with supervisory experience. This nurse generally works days,
Monday through Friday and coordinates all aspects of patient care.
Depending on the type of unit your loved one resides on, there
will be other registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified
nursing assistants, and, possibly, restorative nursing assistants,
assigned to the care of your loved one. Staffing varies with
the care requirements of the unit, and residents. The staffing
ratio will be increased on the skilled units in comparison to
the nonskilled units, or otherwise know as, long-term units.
Nursing provides 24-hour care, seven days a week to each resident.
Nursing is expected to meet the needs of each resident as immediately
as possible, but in reality there are many residents with many
needs. Nursing must prioritize the needs of their residents,
and is expected to meet all resident needs in a reasonable amount
of time.
A conference should be scheduled by staff within two weeks of
admission. At this conference your loved one's care needs will
be reviewed and a discussion made as to what goals can be reasonably
established. A person's discharge potential may also be discussed
at this time. There is input into the individual care plan of
your loved one by the physician, nursing, social services, dietary,
activities and any rehabilitation therapies. This conference
should help alleviate any concerns you may have, and encourage
you to ask any questions in regards to the care, and prognosis
of your loved ones. This is also a forum for nursing to learn
your expectations for care as well as any additional needs of
your loved ones. You are encouraged to request additional conferences
when questions, concerns and/or new needs occur.
The nursing department is always available to all their residents,
families, and significant others, to address any problems, concerns
or answer questions. They do encourage you to address your concerns
immediately with the person involved or unit manager. If at any
time you are not satisfied, it is advised, you contact the Director
of Nursing or the Administrator.
