JOB SUMMARY The registered nurse plans, organizes and directs hospice care and is experienced in nursing, with emphasis on community health education/experience. The professional nurse builds from the resources of the community to plan and direct services to meet the needs of individual and families within their homes and communities. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Patient Care Completes an initial, comprehensive and ongoing assessments of patient and family to determine hospice needs. Provides a complete physical assessment and history of current and previous illness(es). Provides professional nursing care by utilizing all elements of nursing process. Assesses and evaluates patient’s status by: Writing and initiating plan of care. Regularly re-evaluating patient and family/caregiver needs. Participating in revising the plan of care as necessary Uses health assessment data to determine nursing diagnosis. Develops a care plan that establishes goals, based on nursing diagnosis and incorporates palliative nursing actions. Includes the patient and the family in the planning process. Initiates appropriate preventive and rehabilitative nursing procedures. Administers medications and treatments as prescribed by the physician in the physician’s plan of care. Counsels the patient and family in meeting nursing and related needs. Provides health care instructions to the patient as appropriate per assessment and plan. Assists the patient with the activities of daily living and facilitates the patient’s efforts toward self-sufficiency and optional comfort care. Acts as Case Manager and assumes responsibility to coordinate patient care for assigned case Additional Duties Participates in on-call duties as defined by the on-call policy. Ensures that arrangements for equipment and other necessary items and services are available. Supervises ancillary personnel and delegates responsibilities when required. Assumes responsibility for personal growth and development and maintains and upgrades professional knowledge and practice skills through attendance and participation in continuing education and in-service classes. Fulfills the obligation of requested and/or accepted case assignments. Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities. Communication Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given. Records pain/symptom management changes/outcomes as appropriate. Communicates with the physician regarding the patient’s needs and reports changes in the patient’s condition; obtains/receives physicians’ orders as required. Communicates with community health related persons to coordinate the care plan. Teaches the patient and family/caregiver self-care techniques as appropriate. Provides medication, diet and other instructions as ordered by the physician and recognizes and utilizes opportunities for health counseling with patients and families/caregivers. Works in concert with the interdisciplinary group. Provides and maintains a safe environment for the patient. Assists the patient and family/caregiver and other team
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General overview for this role type — specific duties and requirements vary by employer.
Nursing roles in senior living are fundamentally different from hospital nursing. Most positions involve building long-term relationships with the same residents over months or years rather than cycling through new patients every shift. Facilities in the Houston area typically require an active Texas RN or LVN license, current CPR/BLS certification, and many prefer at least one year of geriatric or long-term care experience.
Shift patterns vary widely — some facilities run traditional 8-hour shifts (day, evening, night), while others use 12-hour rotations. Weekend and holiday coverage is almost always part of the schedule. The nurse-to-resident ratio in assisted living is generally more favorable than in hospitals, but you will likely be the highest-level clinical staff on the floor during your shift, which means more autonomy and more responsibility for clinical judgment calls.
What to Expect in This Role Day-to-Day
Based on typical senior living facilities in the Houston area.
A typical shift starts with medication pass and resident assessments. You will review overnight notes from the previous shift, check vitals for residents on your watch list, and coordinate with CNAs on any changes in condition. Mid-shift usually involves documentation, family communication, and working with physicians on care plan updates — often by phone or telehealth rather than in-person rounds.
Depending on the facility, you may also handle admissions paperwork, manage wound care, supervise medication techs, and respond to emergencies. The documentation load in senior living is significant — state surveys and compliance requirements mean thorough charting is non-negotiable. Many nurses in this setting say the most rewarding part is knowing their residents personally and being able to notice subtle changes that a rotating hospital nurse might miss.
Houston Area Salary Data
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurse positions in the Houston metro area earn a median wage of
$47.02/hr ($97,802/yr).
The typical range is $38.29 – $50.95/hr
(25th–75th percentile).
Entry Level (10th)$69,368/yr
Houston Median$97,802/yr
Experienced (90th)$125,320/yr
vs. National Median+4.5%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area).
Salary data provided by Houston Senior Living Guide.