Skilled nurses, often registered nurses (RNs), provide care for patients who are injured or ill in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). Their responsibilities include:
Assessing patients: Identifying patients' needs and examining them
Planning care: Developing a care plan based on a physician's plan and the patient's needs
Providing care: Administering medications and treatments, performing physical examinations and diagnostic tests, providing wound care, bed bath, changing of brief
Monitoring care: Recording patient behavior, vital signs, and medication administration, and monitoring treatment plans
Documenting care: Maintaining accurate records and writing notes
Supporting patients: Providing emotional support to patients and their families, and consulting with physicians and senior staff
Teaching and supervising: Teaching skills and supervising other nursing staff, such as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs)
Researching: Conducting research to improve patient care and outcomes