A skilled nursing facility is an inpatient healthcare facility that provides long-term and short-term care, as well as rehabilitation. The term is typically interchangeable with “nursing home” although skilled nursing facilities are not exclusively for the aged population. Anyone needing 24 hour care or those who are transitioning from hospital to home after a surgical procedure, illness or an injury may qualify for a stay in a skilled nursing facility.
5 Benefits of Working in A Skilled Nursing Facility
These healthcare facilities employ CNAs and LPNs as well as RNs and NPs. Cognitive therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists and audiologists are also frequently on staff at skilled nursing facilities. As a workplace a skilled nursing facility offers many benefits. Let’s have a look.
1. You Have the Opportunity to Really Get to Know Your Patients
For nurses employed in other areas of healthcare such as hospitals, clinics or doctors offices the potential to build a meaningful relationship with your patient isn’t always there. In fact this is a frustration many healthcare professionals share as you don’t see the long term results of the care you provide. But in a skilled nursing facility nurses have more time to bond with their patients and really get to know them. When you share the care of someone with a team you’re invested in your patient and in one another. This is a benefit of working in a skilled nursing facility that makes your work truly rewarding.
2. Ample Job Opportunities
The aging population is growing. People are living longer and often require long-term care. Nurses are in demand across all areas of healthcare but most especially in skilled nursing facilities. That need will not diminish any time soon and impacts all levels of nursing staff. Working in a skilled nursing facility means numerous job opportunities.
3. Job Stability
When you work in a skilled nursing facility you’ll realize job stability that you wouldn’t know elsewhere in healthcare. In part the security you gain when you’re employed by a skilled nursing facility is due to the ever-increasing demand mentioned above but it’s also rooted in the specialized needs of your patients. Not only do skilled nursing facilities provide long-term and short-term care but also rehab services and medical services directed at those with complex needs.
4. Learning Opportunities
With a diverse patient population and an opportunity to engage in their care working in a skilled nursing facility provides so many learning opportunities. Expand your knowledge and hone your expertise in an environment that provides several aspects of care. Geriatric care, wound care, rehab services, nutrition, management of chronic diseases and more are among the many ways you’ll serve your patients and learn new skills that make you invaluable to any healthcare organization.
5. Job Satisfaction
When you chose the nursing profession you did so because of your desire to help and care for others. Nursing is a vocation and something you feel called to do. There’s no greater job satisfaction than making a difference in the life of someone who is chronically ill. When you witness the results of your care you feel a sense of fulfillment. As a member of a supportive community that strives to improve the lives of the residents of your skilled nursing facility you experience gratification and that is certainly a benefit.
Many More Ways to Benefit
There are many more benefits to working in a skilled nursing facility including being able to work in a variety of settings with a diverse patient population so you can build experience and skills. Please contact BOS Medical Staffing today and find out how working in a skilled nursing facility can be the most rewarding job of your career.
