Essentials for the Long-Term Care Nurse: A Guide for Nurses in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Settings

This concise and user-friendly resource contains the fundamental information long-term care nurses need to provide all aspects of safe and effective care to their patients in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Written by a renowned and highly respected nurse leader in long-term care and gerontology, it presents key facts and core competencies related to the clinical and managerial responsibilities of nurses in these settings. Information on the specific skills required for this challenging specialty, as well as must-know information on regulatory standards, site visits, management and leadership, and dementia care, is presented in a consistent format for quick access to information. The guide embodies a holistic approach to nursing that recognizes the importance of quality of life in addition to quality of care. It provides an overview of the unique features of long-term care, addressing the operational differences in these settings from those of acute settings, the distinct responsibilities of long-term care nurses, special needs of the residents, and major clinical challenges. Since most long-term care nurses are responsible for supervising unlicensed personnel, the book addresses relevant management and leadership issues. The guide also covers legal risks, documentation essentials, and the importance of self-care. Additionally, it offers guidance in the use of evidence-based knowledge within the constraints of long-term settings. Features such as Pearls of Wisdom assist readers in reinforcing and applying content. Also included are plentiful resources for more in-depth information. The book will also serve as a useful study resource for Long-Term Nursing Care Certification. This book was originally published under the Fast Facts series by Springer Publishing Company.