Long-term care nurse

A long-term care nurse looks after patients who need care for an extended period due to a disability or illness.

Required education

ADN or BSN

Average annual salary

$75,000

Payscale.com (Jan. 2026)

Varied

Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.

Patient-facing

Work hands-on, directly with patients.

Independent

Work on your own or even start your own practice, in some states.

What is the role of a long-term care nurse?

You’ll help your patients with day-to-day activities such as getting dressed and taking baths.

What you’ll do as a long-term care nurse

Coordination

You’ll work with your patients’ medical teams to create viable treatment plans.

Education

You’ll keep your patients’ families up to date on their loved ones’ medical conditions.

Treatment

You’ll monitor your patients’ health and give them medication and therapeutic treatments such as massage and exercise.

Senior couple having a consultation with a doctor at home.

Where you’ll work as a long-term care nurse

Long-term care nurses work in a variety of settings, including:

Assisted living communities
Nursing homes
Patients’ homes

How to become a long-term care nurse

Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), taking an elective course in if possible.

When considering a future nursing career, it’s important to explore the different nursing programs available and the paths they offer. With various options like associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs, and direct-entry master’s degree programs, prospective students can choose the educational path that best suits their goals and interests.

Pass the NCLEX-RN.

The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is the all-important step between graduating from nursing school and becoming a nurse. It’s a standardized test, set by the Board of Nursing in each state, that makes sure you have the knowledge and skills you need to work in the field of nursing.

Work as a Registered Nurse in a nursing home for two years.

There’s no specific long-term care nurse certification.

You may be required to hold the Basic Life Support Certification through the American Heart Association or Red Cross or the Gerontological Nursing Certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.