We have all read the story of the Lady with the Lamp. However, it is onlywhen we encounter nurses in the course of our illness or those of our near anddear ones that we realize how important their work is. A majority of staff inthe nursing homes across the United States are nursing staff. They arecategorized into Certified Nurse Assistants/Aides (CNAs), Registered Nurses(RNs), and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).

A majority of nurses in the United States are females, often single mothersor immigrants. They choose the work because jobs are plentiful and offerflexible working hours. A nurse’s task involves taking care of the patient’sday to day needs at the nursing home including transferring the patient to andfrom the bed, providing and removing the bed pan, cleaning the patient,administering injections, and helping the patient consume food and medicines.Nurses also assist doctors during operation. Therefore, their professiondemands that they continuously stand during an operation or walk aboutcontinuously for hours doing patient rounds. In addition, they have to liftpatients, often manually from their beds. Therefore, they have to be agile andfit. As nursing homes provide round the clock service, they have to be ready towork weekends, nights, and holidays. In the case of an emergency or staffshortage, they may be asked to do double shifts.

The problems associated with nursing include poor pay, long hours, nightshifts, limited advancement, and occupational hazards. Nursing homes often faceshortage of CNAs because they are paid the lowest among nurses. The low paypossibly stems from the fact that CNAs do not require high school certificateunlike the other categories of nurses. However, if they work in Medicare andMedicaid-certified institutions they need to undergo training and pass a testwithin four months of work. Long hours and night shifts often take a toll onthe health of nurses. In addition, the need to lift patients causes backinjury. Regular use of rubber gloves can trigger latex allergy. Exposure toinfections and diseases is another occupational hazard. Handling infirm andsometimes violent patients on a routine basis can cause emotional stress.

Apart from nursing jobs, other categories of jobs in nursing homes includeoffice and administrative support. Some of the employees in these jobs have adegree in health care administration, while others have a general degree.

The profession of a nurse is as noble as that of a doctor. If you enjoyworking with and for people, nursing can be a good career option. Remember towear a smile on your face always cause cheerfulness can do wonders forpatients’ and your health alike.