Pursuing a career as a nurse in an assisted living facility can be incredibly rewarding. However, part of what brings the fulfillment of being a nurse is finding the right fit in a specialty or niche, as it is often called. The primary goal of caring for patients is essentially the same across nursing, but each niche has its own special skills, tasks, and requirements to achieve that goal.Â
Finding the right niche can make a world of difference in how rewarding and enjoyable your nursing career can be. Let’s take a closer look at how to find your niche as an assisted living nurse.Â
Types of Nursing in Assisted Living Facilities
Before deciding or exploring a niche, it can help to know some of the available nursing niches within assisted living facilities. These include:
- Geriatric Nurse
- Long-term Care Nurse
- Critical Care Nurse
- Nurse Advocate
- Nurse Practitioner
- Oncology Nurse
- Pain Management Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
These are certainly not the only available nursing niches in assisted living facilities, as they can vary depending on the type and extent of the facility as well. However, this list can be used to research some of the options and potentially find one you may be interested in.Â
Finding a Nursing Niche in an Assisted Living Facility: Questions to Ask Yourself
There is no right choice, as the right niche is the one that fits you and your preferences. However, here are some questions to ask yourself to help in determining what niches you may be interested in:
- Is there a particular niche you are interested in?
- What do you like or not like in your nursing career?
- What drove you to become a nurse?
- Have you tried a certain niche of nursing that you enjoyed?
- Are you interested in furthering your education?
- What are your overall career goals?
- What fuels your passion for nursing?
- Has a certain type of nursing burned you out?
The above may begin to inspire other questions for yourself and help you narrow down a few niches that you may be interested in. This is always a good start, as you can then explore those further and find the right one. So, find a niche that truly makes you feel fulfilled and makes you remember why you became a nurse.Â
We Can Help You Find the Right Assisted Living Facility
If you are looking to find a nursing position or perhaps interested in a career as a medical tech, Cynamed is here to help. We help nurses find fulfilling placements in assisted living facilities and skilled homes in western PA.Â
Our goal is to help you find a position that fits your personal and professional needs and where you are truly happy. If you have any questions, call us at (412) 325-3420.