While most elderly people prefer to live at home, many need medical care and daily living assistance to the extent where they have to live in senior-living facilities. Watching over these elderly patients are wellness nurses who fulfill many of the typical duties of registered nurses, but with an increased emphasis on improving the patient’s overall wellness and sense of well-being.

Function

Wellness nurses work with elderly patients at hospice and nursing-home communities. These nurses are primarily focused on promoting the health and well-being of the patients at the health community. Wellness nurses are responsible for accommodating patients' preferences, and for improving the health of patients as much as possible through diet, exercise, medication and physical therapy. Wellness nurses monitor the health of the elderly patients, keep records of changes in the patient’s health and provide medical care to patients who need it. Wellness nurses are responsible for educating their patients so that the patients can take care of their own health, according to Sunrise Senior Living. Wellness nurses also communicate with the friends and family of the patient whenever necessary.

Conditions

Wellness nurses usually work in clean and comfortable environments. Since elderly patients can need care at any hour, wellness nurses often work in shifts, with many working night shifts. Many nurses are also on call in case of an emergency. Wellness nurses may be in close contact with infectious diseases, but careful safety precautions can prevent infection.

Skills

The educational requirements of a wellness nurse are the same as the educational requirements for other registered nurses. The wellness nurse must earn a bachelor’s degree, associate degree or diploma from a college, university or hospital training program, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Then, the wellness nurse must become registered by passing the National Council Licensure Examination held by the state in which the nurse wishes to work. Wellness nurses often must have previous experience in home health, assisted living or a long-term care hospital, according to Sunrise Senior Living. The wellness nurse must be detail-oriented and have good assessment skills in order to determine the needs of the patient to provide proper medical care. Written and verbal communication skills are needed in order to effectively interact with patients and other staff members.

Outlook

The need for registered nurses in nursing care facilities is expected to grow by 12.1 percent between 2018 and 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The growth in the need for nurses in nursing care facilities is driven by an increased number of elderly patients.

Earnings

Registered nurses in nursing care facilities are among the lowest-paid nurses. The median earnings for wellness nurses in 2020 were $73,330, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employers usually offer child care, education benefits and bonuses.

Licensed Vocational Nurses Employment and Labor Information 2023

Licensed Vocational Nurses Employment Brief:

Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.

Licensed Vocational Nurses Job Description

Here is a Job Description an employer might post for potential Licensed Vocational Nurses.

Licensed Vocational Nurses Responsibilities and Duties:

• Provide medical treatment or personal care to patients in private home settings, such as cooking, keeping rooms orderly, seeing that patients are comfortable and in good spirits, or instructing family members in simple nursing tasks.
• Inventory and requisition supplies and instruments.
• Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration.
• Make appointments, keep records, or perform other clerical duties in doctors' offices or clinics.
• Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging, or performing catheterizations.
• Prepare patients for examinations, tests, or treatments and explain procedures.
• Answer patients' calls and determine how to assist them.
• Sterilize equipment and supplies, using germicides, sterilizer, or autoclave.
• Assemble and use equipment, such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, or oxygen suppliers.
• Record food and fluid intake and output.

Typical Daily Tasks of Licensed Vocational Nurses:

• Assisting and Caring for Others: Administer basic health care or medical treatments. Administer intravenous medications. Apply bandages, dressings, or splints. Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments. Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities. Prepare patients physically for medical procedures. Treat patients using physical therapy techniques.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Maintain medical facility records. Record patient medical histories.
• Getting Information.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others.

Licensed Vocational Nurses Skills and Requirements:

• Mathematics Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Equipment Maintenance Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Equipment Selection Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Management of Material Resources Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.
• Word ProcessingUsing a computer application to type text, insert pictures, format, edit, print, save, and retrieve word processing documents.
• Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• NavigationUsing scroll bars, a mouse, and dialog boxes to work within the computer's operating system. Being able to access and switch between applications and files of interest.
• Systems Analysis Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help people.

Licensed Vocational Nurses Salary and Wages:

Average Salary: 58,450. Education: typical education requirements include High school diploma or equivalent.

Data from May 2023 courtesy of U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program.