Factors Affecting the Quality of Life of Residents in Nursing Homes: Knowledge and Strategies for the Novice Nurse

Abstract

Background and Significance: Quality of Life (QOL) is a major focus of practice in all areas of nursing, including promoting QOL for the elderly. New graduate Registered Nurses (RNs) have the option of working in a nursing home for their first career opportunity. The significant increase in the Baby Boomer population (nearly tripling between 1980-2030) will cause an influx of nursing home residents as they require nursing home services. Review of the Literature: Quality of Life (QOL) is important to providing quality, holistic care. Many factors encompass QOL. It is necessary for the new graduate RN to learn about interventions that positively impact nursing home residents' QOL. The literature review speaks only about first-hand studies focusing on nursing home residents' own interpretations of QOL factors. Several QOL domains were identified including promoting comfort, meaningful relationships, and maintaining autonomy and dignity. Undergraduate nursing education and new graduate orientation programs offer little information on the nurse's role in promoting QOL in the elderly. Implications for Novice Nurse Education: A table was adapted to show the QOL domains for the Elderly and possible RN Interventions to positively impact nursing home residents QOL. Provided with education focused on competencies for promoting QOL in the elderly, the new graduate RN will be able to use the interventions presented in the table to realize ways to positively impact QOL of nursing home residents during their first nursing experience as a novice nurse.