16 Nursing Home Nurse Skills for Your Career and Resume
Learn about the most important Nursing Home Nurse skills, how you can utilize them in the workplace, and what to list on your resume.
Nursing home nurses provide care for elderly patients in long-term care facilities. They use a variety of skills to assess and treat patients, as well as to manage the overall care of the facility. If you’re interested in becoming a nursing home nurse, learning about the necessary skills for this position can help you determine if this is the right career for you.
Nursing Home Nurse Skills
Pain Management
Pain management is an important skill for a nurse to have, especially in a nursing home. Many of the patients you work with may be elderly and have various health conditions that cause them pain. You need to know how to assess their level of pain and treat it accordingly. For example, some patients may benefit from physical therapy while others may require medication or other treatment methods.
Patience
As a nurse, you may need to work with patients who have dementia or other conditions that make them prone to emotional outbursts. It’s important to remain calm and patient when working with these individuals so they feel safe and comfortable. You can also use patience when caring for patients who are recovering from surgery or an illness. These patients may require more time to heal than others, but it’s your job to ensure they get the care they need.
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share another person’s feelings. Nursing home nurses often work with patients who have experienced a loss, such as the death of a spouse or friend. They also work with people who are dealing with physical ailments that may cause them pain. Empathy allows nursing home nurses to be kind and caring toward their patients while still maintaining professionalism.
Infection Control
Infection control is the ability to prevent and treat infections in patients. This skill set includes knowing how to use protective equipment, sterilize medical tools and disinfect surfaces to ensure that you aren’t spreading germs or causing new infections. It’s also important to know which medications are most effective at treating certain types of infections so you can provide your patients with the best care possible.
Supervision
Supervision is the ability to oversee and direct others. As a nurse, you may supervise other nurses or nursing assistants who work under you. You also use supervision when overseeing patients’ care plans and treatment regimens. Your ability to supervise can help ensure that your patients receive quality care while allowing you time to focus on their individual needs.
Organization
Organization is the ability to keep track of multiple tasks and responsibilities. This skill can help you prioritize your work, stay on schedule and meet deadlines. As a nurse, it’s important to be organized so that you can provide quality care for your patients while also keeping up with paperwork and other duties. You may want to create an organizational system that works best for you, such as using a planner or setting reminders on your phone.
Patient Education
Patient education is a crucial skill for any nurse to have, especially those working in long-term care. Many of the patients they treat may be elderly and have unique health conditions that require special attention. Providing them with information about their condition can help them understand what to expect from treatment and how to take an active role in their recovery.
Charting
Charting is the process of recording patient information in a medical record. This can include details about treatments, observations and test results. As a nurse, you may be responsible for charting patients’ health data to ensure that all necessary information is recorded accurately. Having strong charting skills can help you keep track of your patients’ treatment plans and progress.
Medication Administration
Medication administration is a skill that can be learned through training and experience. Nursing home nurses often administer medications to patients who live in the nursing home full time or those who are visiting for short periods of time. This may include administering injections, pills or liquid medication. Having knowledge about different types of medication and how they work can help you when giving instructions to patients or their families.
Care Planning
Care planning is the ability to create a treatment plan for patients that includes goals and strategies. Care planning requires knowledge of medical conditions, treatments and medications so you can develop an effective plan for your patients. This skill also helps you assess patient needs and determine what resources are needed to meet those needs.
Wound Care
Wound care is the process by which a nurse cleans and treats an open wound. This skill set includes knowing how to clean, disinfect and bandage wounds as well as monitor them for signs of infection or other complications. Wound care can be especially important in nursing homes where patients may have existing conditions that make them more susceptible to developing open wounds.
Communication
Communication is the ability to convey information clearly. As a nurse, you must be able to communicate with patients and other medical staff members. This includes explaining treatment plans, answering questions about medications and procedures and relaying test results. You also need to listen carefully when your patients are speaking so that you can understand their needs and concerns.
Flexibility
Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As a nurse, you may need to be flexible in your schedule and duties depending on the needs of patients or staff members. Flexibility can also help you adjust to new situations quickly, which can make it easier for you to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities at work.
IV Therapy
IV therapy is the process of administering medications through an intravenous (IV) line. This can be a very important skill for a nurse in a nursing home because it allows them to treat patients who may not be able to take oral medication or have difficulty swallowing pills. It’s also helpful when treating patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, as they may need regular injections of insulin.
Leadership
Leadership is the ability to guide and motivate others. As a nurse, you may be in charge of supervising other nurses or nursing assistants. Having strong leadership skills can help you manage your team effectively and ensure that everyone completes their duties on time. Strong leaders also know how to delegate tasks and provide guidance when needed.
Patient Assessment
Patient assessment is the ability to assess a patient’s condition and determine what treatment they need. This skill can help you provide better care for your patients, as it allows you to understand their needs more thoroughly. When assessing a patient, try to be thorough in your observations so that you can make an accurate diagnosis. You may also want to ask questions about any symptoms or concerns the patient has so that you can address them effectively.
How Can I Learn These Nursing Home Nurse Skills?
There are a few ways that you can learn the necessary skills to become a nursing home nurse. Firstly, you can enroll in a nursing program at a college or university. This will give you the opportunity to learn about various nursing concepts and theories, as well as gain clinical experience. Secondly, you can become a certified nurse assistant (CNA). This will allow you to work in a nursing home setting and gain first-hand experience with the day-to-day care of residents. Finally, you can attend workshops or seminars offered by nursing home associations or other organizations. These events will provide you with the opportunity to learn about various nursing home topics, such as infection control, wound care, and medication administration.
