Category: <span>Employment</span>

Are you satisfied with your job?

Unfortunately for many, the answer to this question is a resounding “NO!” But what makes a job more satisfying? 

The answer to this question depends on you, of course. But there are a few common characteristics that make certain jobs more fulfilling than others. Caring for others, the opportunity for advancement, and building positive relationships are a few of these characteristics. 

And working in a nursing home happens to have all of these positive features! In this article, we’ll outline 4 amazing benefits you’ll get when you decide to work in a nursing home.

1. It’s Never Boring

No matter what your position in the nursing home, there’s always something to do. And one day never looks the same as the next day. 

As part of a bigger team, you’ll learn to share responsibilities and take on new roles every day. There are different levels of physical and occupational therapy to administer to residents. And you’ll get to experience the same great activities as the residents, which includes live music, group games, and off-campus trips. 

Depending on your position, you may work with food prep one day and help with bathing the next day. You’ll keep track of patient records and may even be in charge of administering medication. And you’ll be on your feet, which is important to keep your own body strong and healthy. 

2. Get to Know Your Patients

One of the most rewarding aspects of a nursing home job is getting to know the residents. Unlike a hospital or outpatient clinic, many of the residents stay for weeks or even years. You’ll get to watch them grow and progress as they heal from surgery and overcome illness. 

As a caregiver, you’ll get to know their families too. You’ll be someone they can share stories with and relive the good-old-days. And you can be a shoulder to cry on during difficult times. 

Plus, you’ll gain a new respect for aging. And you’ll learn valuable skills for how to care for aging loved ones. Which can come in handy one day when you need to care for your own family members. 

3. Room for Advancement

If you’re looking to advance your nursing career, the nursing home is an excellent place to do that. At St. William’s Living Center, we offer scholarships for people who have been employed with us for longer than three months.

We want to see our employees grow in their profession. In addition to the monetary support, we offer flexible scheduling to accommodate those who are in school to advance their careers. And if you’re newly hired LPN or RN, we offer student loan repayment options to help you get out of debt. 

4. PTO, and Insurance, and Retirement Investments, Oh My!

Plus, there’s a fabulous benefits package! At St. William’s, we offer competitive wages and affordable health insurance for as low as $45 per month for the employee. 

We also offer a dental package option and a $25,000 life insurance policy to every employee. Our Paid Time Off (PTO) policy allows you to start accruing time off starting on your first day of employment. And we offer a 401k contribution for every employee with no contribution by you required. 

Considering Working in a Nursing Home? Here’s How!

There are a ton of benefits to working in a nursing home. And we’ve only touched on the tip of the iceberg here! 

Are you ready to start? Visit our Career Page to get all the details. 

Where would we be without nurses? These exceptional people care for us when we’re sick, hold our hands when we need support, and lend an ear when we need someone to listen.

It’s true that a skilled nursing facility like St. William’s couldn’t function without the care provided by nurses. And this goes for any long-term care facility, hospital, and surgical center in the country.

If you’re considering a career change, becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) might be just the right move! Nursing is a rewarding profession that will keep your brain and body active. And give you the satisfaction of knowing that you’re doing great work for those in need.

Keep reading to learn all about the duties of an LPN in a skilled nursing facility.

What Is a Licensed Practical Nurse?

If you’ve ever looked into healthcare professions, you might know that there are several types of nurses and assistants.

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) provides basic, hands-on care for residents. They help with feeding, bathing, and cleaning up rooms.

Registered nurses (RNs) provide the most advanced level of care. They administer and analyze diagnostic tests, come up with treatment plans, and manage the nurses below them. Because of their advanced duties, RNs require longer, more in-depth education.

Which brings us to an LPN, the Goldilocks version of “just right” in nursing! LPNs do some of the work of CNAs, like dressing and bathing.

But they also take on more advanced care tasks like administering medication and measuring vital signs. And becoming an LPN is faster and easier than training to become an RN.

Duties of an LPN

A day in the life of an LPN usually starts with an update from the RN on duty. The RN will give you your schedule for the day and let you know if there are any special tasks to do. Then you’ll make your first rounds to the residents.

One of the most important tasks of an LPN is administering medication. This includes oral medications, eye drops, nebulizers, skin creams, and blood sugar checks.

Not only do you administer medication, but you will keep track of the timing of medications for different patients. And you’ll also be in charge of preparing and sanitizing the medical tools. You might also dress wounds, change catheters, and report any issues to the RN in charge.

You’ll also be assigned administrative tasks to work on when you aren’t making medical rounds. This might include organizing files and writing reports. And you may be in charge of supervising the CNAs on duty.

At meal times, you’ll help residents move to and from the dining hall. Then you’ll help them eat and provide them company while they enjoy their meal.

Afternoon tasks usually involve making additional rounds to administer medications. And helping residents groom themselves, take showers, and providing assistance with moving to and from the toilet.

Are You Considering This Rewarding Career?

Becoming a licensed practical nurse might be one of the best decisions you ever make! LPN training programs are usually 12-24 months long. And you can find them at many local community colleges.

There’s always a need for LPNs. Alexandria Technical & Community College has a practical nursing program that has 100% job placement for those who complete the course. Earn a great wage, care for those in need, and get the job security you deserve with an LPN degree!

At St. William’s Living Center, we are rated as a 5-star facility by Medicare.gov’s Nursing Home Compare. We offer the benefits you want and the positive work environment you need. Visit our careers page to join over 100 other people who have chosen to work for St. William’s!

How rewarding is your career?

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to change things up, it’s important to find something that keeps you motivated. You want a job that provides stability and offers the opportunity for advancement. And everyone deserves a career that makes them smile!

We just happen to know of a career that wraps all those things up into one, easily-obtainable package. Becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) means you can have a real impact on people’s lives. 

In this article, we’ll give you the scoop on how to become a CNA and why you need to do it now! 

What is a Certified Nursing Assistant?

CNAs are what make a nursing home run smoothly. They tackle the day-to-day needs of the residents. 

As a CNA, you’ll help residents take care of themselves by providing physical and emotional assistance. Typical duties include helping residents move around their rooms and the living center. This often includes bringing them to and from activities and therapy sessions. 

You’ll also help deliver meals, feed those who can’t feed themselves, and record daily food intakes. Many residents need help with basic hygiene, so you’ll help with bathing, brushing teeth, and brushing hair. You may also be in charge of preparing rooms for new admissions and resupplying the rooms of current residents. 

Plus, you’ll be there to answer resident questions and respond when they need help. It’s your job to make their days easier and more comfortable. 

Why YOU Should Consider Becoming One

There’s nothing more fulfilling than helping those in need. The nursing home residents depend on CNAs to help them live fuller lives. That makes your job one of the most important jobs on the planet!

You’ll get to see people recover from injuries and cheer them on as they reach their goals. You’ll hear about their lives, their children, their grandchildren. And you’ll learn to love the people you care for. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience!

Plus, there’s always a need for CNAs, so the job stability is second-to-none. And there’s plenty of room to move up in the field. 

Many CNAs continue their education and get a higher nursing degree. Working as a CNA gives you the real-world experience that other nursing candidates may not have. Plus, you’ll receive a full list of benefits including health insurance, dental insurance, and scholarships. 

Here’s How…

The best part about starting a career as a CNA is that it’s not a difficult field to get into. Start by enrolling in an approved nursing assistant course at a 2-year technical college. Alexandria Technical and Community College and Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Wadena are two local options. 

Programs like these will usually require a background check and tuberculosis skin test before you start. And you must be over the age of 16 with a valid ID card. The course takes about 84 hours to complete and will give you everything you need to become a successful CNA. 

At the end of the course, you’ll take your certification exam. The exam consists of a written exam with multiple-choice questions. This is followed by a skills exam where you’ll demonstrate the CNA skills you’ve learned in the training program. 

Another option is to take a test out challenge. This involves taking the test without completing the course beforehand. You’ll be able to review a handbook prior to the exam and take a practice exam online before you take the actual exam. 

Ready for a Rewarding Career? Become a CNA

Becoming a certified nursing assistant is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make. You’ll find that being a CNA offers you the job stability and growth potential you’re looking for. And you’ll have the opportunity to help others in the process. It’s a win-win scenario!

At St. William’s Living Center, we care about our employees. Visit our Career Page to learn more about all the opportunities available for your next career!