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Career Pathways

Direct Care & Nursing

Culinary & Hospitality

Housekeeping & Maintenance

Social Services & Life Enrichment

Therapy & Rehabilitation

Administration & Operations

Direct Care & Nursing

Career pathways in nursing or other direct caregiving roles are meaningful careers with a wide range of advancement opportunities. Caregivers and nurses provide a variety of care services to individuals living in assisted living communities, nursing facilities, memory care communities, and more. This direct care & nursing pathway consists of both entry-level caregiving positions and nursing roles that call for more advanced degrees– with many opportunities to progress into positions with higher responsibility and pay.

Elderly male in wheelchair with nurse assisting him

A Career Pathway on the Rise

Variety of work environments

Caregivers and nurses can work in various settings: assisted living, nursing facilities, memory care, hospice, adult day centers, and even in patients’ homes. Each setting can vary in the type of residents that are served and the cares that are provided. Depending on the type of care role, caregivers can choose the work environment that fits them best.

Growing employment rates

Caregiving and nursing is essential– there will always be demand. Pursuing a career in healthcare is a smart way to ensure job security, stability and career progression opportunities. Due to a rapidly increasing aging population, the demand for these caregiving professionals will continue to increase.

Flexible schedules

Caregiving schedules can include 4, 8, 10, or 12-hour shifts. Typically, the longer the shift, the fewer days you’ll work per week. With both part-time and full-time options, this flexibility may be especially beneficial for those who are parents or guardians of young children with busy schedules or have other commitments.

Roles in Direct Care & Nursing

  • Dementia Care Coordinator
    A Dementia Care Coordinator plans, delivers, and monitors care and programming for older adults living with dementia. This role collaborates closely with nursing staff, caregivers, and families to ensure individualized, person-centered support that respects the unique experiences of those living with dementia.

    Other Titles: Memory Care Coordinator, Dementia Care Director, Memory Care Director

    Salary: $25+/hr
    Experience:
    1

    –

    3
    year(s)

  • MDS Coordinator
    A registered nurse who manages and assesses patient care, to ensure consistent and quality care. Coordinates MDS, or minimum data set, and ensures that charting is completed and accurate for all residents.
    Salary: $41-$47/hr
    Experience:
    1

    –

    3
    year(s)

  • Director of Nursing
    A registered nurse who oversees nursing services for residents, typically in a nursing home setting.

    Other Titles: Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager, Director of Nursing (DON), Nursing Director

    Salary: $54-$59/hr
    Experience:
    1

    –

    3
    year(s)

  • Clinical Nurse Supervisor
    A registered nurse who oversees nursing and assisted living services to residents.

    Other Titles: Clinical Director

    Salary: $45-$56/hr
    Experience:
    1

    –

    3
    year(s)

  • Infection Control Nurse
    Infection control nurses monitor and prevent the spread of infections in care settings, amongst other nursing responsibilities.

    Other Titles: Infection Preventionist, RN Infection Preventionist

    Salary: $42-$46/hr
    Experience:

    –

    1
    year(s)

  • Nurse Educator
    Nurse educators are responsible for overseeing, creating and implementing educational programs and training sessions for nursing staff.

    Other Titles: Nurse Educator RN

    Salary: $40-$44/hr
    Experience:
    1

    –

    3
    year(s)

  • Registered Nurse
    Registered nurses, or RNs, are at the center of compassionate care, providing medical expertise and comprehensive support to the community they serve.

    Other Titles: Staff Nurse, Clinical Nurse

    Salary: $36-$46/hr
    Experience:

    –

    1
    year(s)

  • Licensed Practical Nurse
    Licensed practical nurses, or LPNs, provide patient care and comfort under the guidance of registered nurses and physicians.

    Other Titles: Licensed Vocational Nurse, LVN

    Salary: $28-$34/hr
    Experience:

    –

    1
    year(s)

  • Trained Medication Aide
    Trained medication aide, or TMA, is a pathway for nursing assistants with added education to become responsible for medication administration tasks.

    Other Titles: Medication Assistant

    Salary: $22-$26/hr
    Experience:

    –

    1
    year(s)

  • Nursing Assistant
    A nursing assistant, or CNA, provides direct resident care under nurse supervision, assisting with basic medical tasks and daily activities.

    Other Titles: CNA, Nurse Aide, Care Professional, NAR

    Salary: $19-$24/hr
    Experience:

    –

    1
    year(s)

  • Resident Assistant
    Resident assistants provide direct care and support to residents with their daily activities.

    Other Titles: Home Health Aide (HHA), Resident Care Assistant, Caregiver, Patient Care Assistant (PCA), Home Care Assistant, Personal Care Aide

    Salary: $16-$24/hr
    Experience:

    –

    1
    year(s)

  • Really listen to their stories. They have amazing stories.

    If you just take the time to listen to what they have to say, it really gives you a different perspective.
    Gladys Aquino Aakre
    RN Clinical Director
Read Gladys’s Story