Q: What kinds of nurses are required to be on site at a nursing home 24 hours a day?

A: Nurses of all stripes on duty should include registered nurses, certified nursing assistants and license practice nurses. The numbers and nursing types depends on the size and type of nursing home facility.

Here's the Illinois law on this:

MINIMUM STAFFING STANDARD FOR SKILLED NURSING OR NURSING FACILITIES

Estimated variance from federal standard for facility with 100 beds

Staffing Standard Citation and URL Comments IL

SUFFICIENT STAFF:

To meet the needs of the residents. LICENSED STAFF(RN, LPN/LVN)

1 DON (Director of Nursing) RN full-time or minimum 36 hours/week (at least 16 hrs between 7am and 7pm)

For 1-49 beds, DON may provide direct care and be included in direct care ratios

For 100+, 1 Asst. DON RN full-time.

1 licensed nurse (RN/LPN) charge nurse on remaining non-DON or Asst DON shifts.

1 RN on shift (8 consecutive hrs) 7days/wk included in 1 RN/LPN 24 hrs/7d/wk on each floor

DIRECT CARE STAFF

2.5 hprd with Day-40%, Eve-25%, and Night-15%.

Include 20% LN time; exclude DON and 1 person on duty 24h/7d in each unit

Direct care staff includes: RNs, LPNs, CNAs, Psych aides, Rehab/Therapy aides, Psych coordinators,

Asst. DONs, 50% of DON, 30% of Social Service Director

IL Statute 210 Health Facilities Art.

III- Licensing, Enforcement, Violations, Penalties and Remedies.

P.A. 96-1372, Eff. 7-29-10.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1225&ChapterID=21

:

IL Administrative Code Title 77 Public Health, Ch. 1, Dept. of Public Health, Subch. C, Long-Term Care Facilities, Sec. 300-1230, Part. 300, and 1240 Skilled Nursing and Intermediate Care Facilities Code

Eff. 3-24-89; Am at 16

III. Reg.17089,

Eff. 11-3-92.

(Section 300.1230

Staffing

:

http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/077/077003000F12300R.html