Nursing home

Nursing homes care for people with care needs that cannot be met in any other care setting apart from in hospital. They also provide palliative care and intermediate care enabling people to recover following illness and injury. There are more beds in nursing homes than in NHS hospitals. Most nursing homes are privately owned; less than 10% are run by charities. Some homes are stand-alone whilst others are part of a large group.

Starting out

The role of the Registered Nurse (RN) is to take charge of shifts, to work with care assistant colleagues, medical staff and visiting therapists to provide high quality care. The role involves advanced assessment, delivering care and working with older people and their families.

Senior RNs work as sisters or charge nurses. The sister may be responsible for a unit or floor in a larger home or may take charge of a smaller home in the absence of more senior staff and may have special responsibility for a particular aspect of care such as wound care. Each home has a deputy matron or head of care.

The deputy is responsible for managing the home in the absence of the matron or manager. The matron is responsible for all aspects of the home including managing domestic staff and controlling budgets. There are opportunities for nurses to work as regional managers and manage group of homes.

Skills required

Nurses who are considering working in a nursing home need experience in caring for the relevant client group, for example older people. Postgraduate qualifications in relevant areas such as wound care or palliative care are a bonus. Nurses who wish become matrons must have relevant experience and recognised management qualifications.