Nursing homes need to be required to have a RN on duty at all times.
Why is this important?
Most seniors living in nursing homes are usually in a fragile condition. Families are relying on those facilities to provide the best care for their loved ones as possible. In most of those facilities, there is not a RN on duty all of the time. Some only have a RN on duty during the day. These residents need specialized care but are left to rely on a Certified Nursing Assistant, who have limited training. If a CNA is going to be left to care for these patients, they need to have more critical care training, and be required to take a test to determine if that type of work is a good fit for them. There needs to be at least 1 RN, preferably 2, on duty in nursing homes and critical care facilities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.