If you’re a nurse who has been working in a hospital, clinic or other acute care setting for many years, you might be ready for a change. One option you may not have considered is the senior care industry. Caring for seniors is every bit as rewarding as working in a hospital or clinic but without the grueling schedule and hectic work environment.
Transitioning to a career as a senior care nurse comes with many benefits, from opportunities for growth to job security. Let’s take a look at some of the primary reasons you might want to consider making a change.
Our Population Is Aging
According to the Pew Research Center, an estimated 10,000 Baby Boomers have turned 65 every day since January 1, 2011. That translates to millions of people retiring each year. As they age, many may want or need to move to a senior living community. For nurses, this “retirement boom” brings tremendous opportunity to transition into the lucrative and secure profession of caring for older people.
Two primary reasons nurses who’ve made this career change would recommend it to their peers are:
- Lasting relationships with residents and families
Patients in a hospital setting are often in and out within a short period of time. The same is true of clinics and other acute care providers. According to a discharge study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average length of a hospital stay is just 4.5 days. Although a nurse can definitely have an impact on someone’s life during that time, it’s often difficult to feel as if you are making a real difference in their health care.
By contrast, nurses who work in senior living communities have the chance to speak with and care for the same group of people every day, often for many years. This allows a stronger bond to form with residents and their families. That helps make the workday more meaningful.
- Unlimited potential for professional rewards and growth
As you might expect in a growing industry like this one, there is plenty of job security for nurses. Salaries are comparable to those of nurses in acute care settings, like hospitals. If you have experience and are interested, you could quickly ascend to management positions at the local or corporate level. Those promotions come with even greater financial rewards.
Then there are the benefits offered by senior living companies. At American Senior Communities, we encourage our staff to continue learning and growing as they work for us. In addition to great perks like medical/dental/vision insurance, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement, we also offer on-the-job training. A few examples include our nurse and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) preceptor programs, paid Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) training and certification, free nurse aide training and free CNA classes.
Are You Ready for a Change?
No matter what stage of your nursing career you’re in, transitioning to the senior care industry can be a great way to learn the skills you need to plan for a secure future. Anyone who’s currently a nurse or studying to be a nurse is invited to consider a career path with American Senior Communities. Visit our Careers page to find out more or to apply online. You’ll be glad you did!
