[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke”][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Key Takeaways[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check” marker-color=”secondary”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To become an LTC nurse, earn an ADN or BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN, and gain experience in elder or chronic care.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LTC nurses help patients manage long-term conditions in home, rehab, or assisted care.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The average salary for these professionals is about $75K, and RNs are projected to experience 5% job growth from 2024-2034.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Long-term care nurses provide extended care to patients living with disabilities or suffering from progressive or chronic illnesses. These specialized registered nurses often work with the elderly and others who need assistance with daily living. A career in LTC nursing offers unprecedented professional growth opportunities. As the U.S. population ages and the need for primary healthcare expands among all demographic groups, the demand for long-term care nurses is expected to explode over the next decade.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Does a Long-Term Care Nurse Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While the duties required of long-term care nurses depend on the type of healthcare facility and specific patient needs, these RNs spend much of their workday coordinating and assessing patient care. They partner with an entire team of professionals, including doctors, social workers, physical therapists, and case managers, to provide a comprehensive plan to deliver quality care for their patients.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Long-term care nurses perform routine procedures such as recording vital signs and administering medications while also providing specialized treatments for progressive and chronic conditions. These nurses also provide educational and emotional assistance to patients and family members.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Long-Term Care Nurses Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Long-term care nurses find ample employment opportunities in a variety of work environments. While most often employed in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, these nurses may also work in rehabilitation centers, hospices, and home health settings. The facilities listed below that serve the elderly, patients with disabilities, and those suffering with chronic or terminal conditions rank among the top employers of long-term care nurses.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Become a Long-Term Care Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LTC nursing offers considerable personal and professional rewards including competitive compensation and employment stability. However, nurses entering this field also face particular challenges stemming from stressful working conditions and the types of patient populations they serve.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Long-Term Care Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Long-term care nurses must become licensed as [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/”]registered nurses[/hen-ui-link] before they can enter the field. Although specific requirements vary by state, all nurses follow a similar educational path leading to an RN license.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Long-term care nurses, like all RNs, must earn at least an ADN degree, while many employers prefer to hire [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/top-advantages-of-a-bsn-degree//”]BSN-holders[/hen-ui-link]. Nursing school prerequisites typically include anatomy, physiology, biology, and psychology.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam to Receive RN License[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Passing the NCLEX-RN exam is the final step before acquiring a nursing license. State regulatory boards use the NCLEX to determine if candidates qualify for nursing licensure.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Gain Experience in Long-Term or Gerontology Care[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Completing clinical hours or working in a nursing home or assisted living facility with elderly or chronically-ill patients provides valuable hands-on experience for LTC nursing.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Consider Earning Specialty Certification[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While there are no specific certifications for LTC nursing, nurses can enhance their career prospects by earning board certifications in specialty areas like gerontology, pain management, wound care, and chronic disease management.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Long-Term Care Nurses Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-cap font-bold uppercase mb-2″]How Long to Become[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-4xl text-primary-800 font-heading font-bold mt-0″]2-4 Years[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-cap font-bold uppercase mb-2″]Average Salary[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-4xl text-primary-800 font-heading font-bold mt-0″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Registered_Nurse_(RN)/Hourly_Rate/f84e31c5/Long-Term-Care” target=”_blank”]$74,950[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text]Source: PayScale [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-cap font-bold uppercase mb-2″]Job Outlook[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-4xl text-primary-800 font-heading font-bold mt-0″]5% growth, 2024-2034[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As the U.S. population ages and the need for long-term care skyrockets, nurses entering this field will find ample employment opportunities and a promising salary outlook. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5% increase in the overall employment of registered nurses from 2024 to 2034, they also expect greater than average job growth in facilities that provide care for the elderly, long-term rehabilitation facilities specializing in stroke and head injuries, and facilities that treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Registered_Nurse_(RN)/Hourly_Rate/f84e31c5/Long-Term-Care” target=”_blank”]According to Payscale[/hen-ui-link], as of September 2025, RNs with long-term care skills earn an average annual salary of $74,950. LTC nurses looking to advance their career may consider earning a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/types-of-masters-degrees-in-nursing//”]master’s degree in nursing[/hen-ui-link] (MSN) to become a nurse practitioner. A national survey conducted by the American Association of Nursing Practitioners reports that NPs who work in long-term care facilities make an average annual base salary of $110,000. NPs in gerontology, gerontology acute care, and gerontology primary care earn salaries well above $100,000 a year.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Long-Term Care Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the difference between long-term care and hospice nursing?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LTC nursing facilities provide care to patients with chronic conditions who may live for several years with specialized treatment plans and accommodations. Hospice facilities provide end-of-life care to terminally ill patients. Hospice care is usually available to patients diagnosed to live for six months or less and who have run out of treatment options.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What types of conditions do long-term care nurses treat?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Long-term care nurses treat a variety of patients, including those with complex medical needs as well as those who need a moderate level of assistance with daily living. They provide stroke and cardiac care and work with patients recovering from injuries or surgeries. Many long-term care nurses specialize in cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia or work exclusively with patients dealing with physical or mental disabilities.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What skills are important to succeed as a long-term care nurse?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition to maintaining their nursing skills through continuing education and professional development opportunities, the best long-term care nurses possess strong leadership and organizational skills and the ability to apply analytical and critical thinking skills to stressful clinical situations. Because of the collaborative nature of LTC nursing, these RNs must develop good communication and team-building skills.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What opportunities are there for advancement among long-term care nurses?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The fast growing market for long-term care has opened up many avenues for professional growth for nurses with specialized certifications and advanced degrees. Employers seek out nurses who hold in-demand certifications in fields like gerontology and pain management. In addition to clinical positions, long-term care nurses can also expect to move into administrative roles in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]