Post Acute Care (PAC) is care provided to a patient after a hospital stay or to receive long-term treatment before going to an acute care setting. In a PAC setting, healthcare professionals promoting recovery and managing the medical conditions of the patients are some of their responsibilities in this field. Some post acute care nurses play the role of helping transition a patient back into life after hospitalization; while others may assist in the patient’s care until passing.
What is Post Acute Care?
- Post acute care consists of specialties that provide longer-term care to patients vs. Short-term.
- This line of care promotes recovery, manages medical conditions, and enhances well-being.
- Nurses may monitor vitals, manage medications, or promote a more successful recovery process for the patient.
- Assist with the daily living of patients.
- Educate families about their family members and how they can help.
There are a lot of nursing specialties that fall under the post acute care career paths. A few of those that exist for an RN or LPN are Home Health, Long Term Care (LTC), Skilled Nursing (SNF), Hospice, and School.
Home Health Nursing
Home Health nurses provide care within the comfort of a patient’s home. These patients do not require around-the-clock care but rather require frequent medical assistance and monitoring. These individuals typically are not able to leave the home without assistance, which is why home health clinicians come to them to provide care.
Responsibilities of a home health nurse include:
- Monitoring of vitals
- Wound Care
- Rehabilitation Therapies
- Nutritional Support
- Pain management
- Collaboration with other members of care team (PT, OT, SLP)
Qualifications for home health nurses:
- Associate degree (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Registered Nursing License (RN) for practicing state
Long-Term Care Nursing
Long-term care nurses (LTC) are responsible for assisting in the daily tasks of residents living in long-term care facilities, as well as monitor patients’ vitals and develop care plans for them.
Responsibilities of long-term care nurses can include:
- Develop patient care plans that align with the medical and clinical staff on the patient’s care team
- Administer medications, monitor vitals, and provide therapeutic treatments
- Record patient information for medical records
- Assist with daily living activities such as bathing and dressing
- Offers support to patients and their family members
Qualifications for long-term care nurses:
- Associate degree (AND) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Registered nursing license (RN) for practicing state
Skilled Nursing Facility Nurses
Skilled nursing facility nurses (SNF) are responsible for caring for patients who cannot be cared for at home or maintain their independence. SNF in addition to nursing, skilled nursing facilities offer a range of other services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Responsibilities of skilled nursing facility nurses can include:
- Distribute oral and IV medications
- Provide post-operative wound care
- Assisting with daily activities
- Coordinate care and determine treatment plans for patients
Qualifications for skilled nursing facility nurses:
- Associate degree (AND) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Registered Nursing license (RN) for practicing state
Hospice Nursing
Hospice nurses are responsible for care provided to patients in nursing facilities or at home who will start receiving end-of-life care. Services provided by hospice nurses can be pain management, symptom control, and comfort and care management for the patient.
Responsibilities of hospice nurses can include:
- Assisting with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and meal preparation
- Monitoring and providing patients with ongoing care
- Creating care plans for patients and their families, that honor the patient’s wishes
- Supporting patients in their well-being until passing
- Managing care and comfort to a patient until they pass
Qualifications for hospice nurses:
- Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)
- Registered nursing license (RN) for practicing state
- Two to three years of experience in acute care nursing prior to being a hospice nurse
School Nursing
School nurses are responsible for the well-being of the children and staff of the school. School nursing consists of creating care plans with the staff and parents for health procedures within the school.
Responsibilities of school nurses can include:
- Treat minor injuries and administrate first aid and CPR
- Conducting health screenings and taking temperatures when fevers are expected
- Teaching faculty and students about proper healthcare practices
- Dispensing prescribed medications to students as directed
- Creating care plans for behavioral health concerns
Qualifications for school nurses:
- Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN)
- Registered nursing license (RN) for practicing state
Note: Depending on location, some areas require being certified by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NCSN)
We currently have local opportunities for RNs and LPNs for home health nursing, long-term care nursing (LTC), skilled nursing facilities, hospice nursing, school nursing in CO, IA, IL, and WI.