A free e-book was recently released by the Russell Sage Foundation that takes a look at the long-term care system in the United States. The book examines both the current state of long-term care (including at nursing homes) as well as future needs. [1]
One chapter of the book examines the critical role played by the caregivers. This includes direct care workers at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and at-home service providers. One of the main problems is the simple lack of caregivers that are available. Recruitment is sometimes difficult, particularly because wages are kept low. For the same reasons, turnover is high. That means that not only are there often an insufficient number of caretakers, but also it is quite common for lower-skilled caregivers in long term care settings to do work which they have neither been trained nor certified to do.
The most recent national data from the AHCA found that there was a turnover rate of 66% yearly on top of a 9.5% vacancy rate for nursing and direct line care workers in nursing homes. These issues need to be addressed. It is widely known that the senior population is growing, meaning that these challenges will get more severe in the coming years.
Levin & Perconti. “The Growing Importance of the Long-Term Care Workforce.” Illinois Nursing home Abuse Blog. 22 September 2012.
, the largest cllgaehe you will face is the time that a nursing program demands regardless of the degree program you choose. Nursing programs are very consuming of all your time which definately takes its toll on a family. On the first day of my nursing classes, the instructor asked for a hand count of who was married and flatly told the students that over half would divorce within a year of completion the program and that 90% of us would gain 20lbs during the program and made us order scrubs 1 size larger than normal. We thought she was nuts but this scholar of 20 years knew what we didn’t. The program is grueling. You don’t even have time for your own health much less your family and I did gain 20lbs and the majority of those married did seperate or divorce.But . nursing is one of the most rewarding careers you can imagine. It’s hard .. a lot of days you feel like a drug pusher or a waitress but those moments when a patient grabs your hand and looks at you with sincerity and tells you how much they appreciate you well, that makes all those bed pans you emptied, vomit you cleaned off the floor and out of your hair, and all the days you said you’d never come back to work WORTH it. It is amazing to feel like you made a difference.Best wishes on your career choice.
Thanks so much for your comment, and it is always great to hear from RNs who love their job.
Nurses are 98% of our users (and half of our own staff) so we are big fans!