Day in the life of an aged care registered nurse

Aged care nursing is fast paced and deeply rewarding. Every shift brings new challenges and the chance to make a real difference in someone’s day. It’s a career built on compassion, skill and a commitment to ensuring each patients needs are met and their voices are heard.

Within this blog, we will outline what a day in the life of an aged care nurse looks like. From handover and personal care to medication rounds and resident activities, you’ll find out about the responsibilities and rewarding moments that define the role.

What does a typical day looks like as an aged care registered nurse?

Aged care registered nurses use a holistic approach when it comes to providing care. Typical duties include administering medications, assisting with daily living, documenting patient conditions and keeping care plans updated. Aged care runs 24/7, so your shift pattern will determine what your day looks like. Below is an example of what a day shift looks like working as an aged care registered nurse.

6:30am – 7:00am: handover

A day shift aged care nurse takes over from those working the night shift. A handover happens in the morning, detailing the current conditions of the residents and any notable developments that happened during the night. Any incidents from overnight are assessed and appropriate actions are taken.

A review of the team and staff allocations are made, delegating tasks and residents to team members.

7:00am – 7:30am: getting ready for the day

When the residents wake, the assistant in nursing team and registered nurses work together to offer personal care assistance, which includes:

• Bathing/showering – including dental care, hair brushing, grooming and skin care
• Toileting – using the toilet and managing continence
• Choosing an outfit for the day and helping the residents get dressed
• Mobility – transferring from one room to another and supporting walking around the home

Residents need a varying degree of care. Some may need full assistance, whilst others may only need support in one or two areas.

7:30am – 10:00am: breakfast and morning medication rounds

A registered nurse then conducts a medication round. They administer on average 6 – 11 different medicines per resident, so it’s important that the nurse isn’t disturbed during this time. The medication that each resident receives is stated in their care plans and is adjusted through regular assessments of their conditions and needs.

The team then escort the residents to the dining room. Breakfast is staggered to ensure that residents eat when they are hungry, as opposed to at a strict time. This also reduces the pressure of a single deadline.

Registered nurses and personal care workers are on hand to assist those residents that need a helping hand with mealtimes. This is a great opportunity for the staff to chat to the residents and understand their thoughts and feelings so that they can get to know them on a personal level whilst monitoring how much they eat. Providing due diligence at mealtimes and ensuring each resident’s nutritional needs are met is a core part of the team’s role.

What foods are offered for breakfast in aged care?

There is a mix of continental and hot breakfast options that are carefully curated to suit all dietary requirements, any allergies and likes/dislikes. Examples include cereals and milks, porridge, fruit and pastries for the cold options, and for the cooked breakfast there will be eggs, grilled bacon and hash browns. Aged care menus rotate to provide variety and to ensure that residents receive balanced nutrition.

10:00am – 11:00am: Time at leisure and morning tea

After breakfast, the team help to clear up and get the residents comfortable for the day ahead.

Depending on the time breakfast finishes, morning tea may also be served during this time. Usually consisting of coffee,tea and cake, it’s a great opportunity for the aged care workers and registered nurses to take a quick 10-minute break!

11:00am – 1:00pm: lunchtime and mid-morning medications

There are multiple medication rounds in aged care, and the second one usually happens around lunchtime. The registered nurse on duty will conduct the medication round, like the one in the morning, giving residents medications in line with their care plans.

Mealtimes in aged care are often longer to give residents the time to enjoy their meals and make sure they are comfortable. If the meal needs to be modified to help with digesting and swallowing such as being pureed or mashed, they will explain to the resident what it is and why it may look different to the others being served.

As registered nurses approach providing care holistically, sitting down to have a cup of coffee with the residents whilst they are eating is just as important as the medication rounds. Interacting with everyone, making them feel heard and fulfilling their social needs is a key part of an aged care registered nurse’s role.

1:00pm – 2:00pm – leisure and lifestyle activities

The lifestyle coordinators are responsible for devising activities that fulfill resident needs and adhere to their interests. Examples of afternoon activities include:

• Dancing
• Puzzles and trivia
• Arts and crafts
• Themed parties (great if there is a cultural holiday happening)
• Gardening and time outside
• Cooking
• Pet visits
• Cultural and history talks
• Day visits may also be organised as a group trip, and this could be to museums, art galleries, the beach, local markets and sporting events.

Not only does this give residents the freedom to enjoy their time in ways that suit them, it also offers meaningful benefits. It encourages hobbies and interests, supports emotional expression, sparks conversation, strengthens memory and helps everyone appreciate one another’s cultural backgrounds.

2:00pm – 3:00pm: afternoon tea and administrative duties

Similarly to morning tea, afternoon tea is served which includes light refreshments.

Registered nurses use this time to document resident conditions, update care plans and reports, support any residents needing personal care and speak with visiting family. Keeping paperwork accurate and up to date is essential, which is why much of the work is completed in the afternoon when the main mealtimes have finished.

And that’s your day! Before you leave, you leaving, the registered nurses will those on the afternoon shift. Each shift will look a little different – afternoon staff will be present for dinnertime and will conduct further medication rounds. Those working on the night shift will often be working with a reduced team as there is significantly reduced activity during this time. Nighttime registered nurses will often also have more experience as there is a higher chance they will be working solo.

Feeling inspired to work in aged care?

Working in aged care is a role that keeps you on your feet, whilst being an incredibly satisfying job. Developing deep connections with residents and getting to know them on a personal level makes your work even more rewarding.

For more information on working as a registered nurse with Sanctuary and to join our team of exceptional staff, reach out to us today to get started.