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The perception of nursing homes is somewhat tainted. Often perceived as the last stop on the journey of debilitation, and after receiving some bad press, nursing homes have been shrouded in negativity and controversy. Jane E. Brody of the New York Times explains how, after voicing her disparaging views on nursing homes in a public forum, she was invited to the Miami Jewish Health Systems, one of the largest nursing homes in Florida.

The facility that Ms. Brody visited defied her expectations and changed her attitude towards nursing homes. The main reason for the success of this home, she attributes, is the “caring and respect devoted to each resident by well-trained professionals.” The clinic is a nonprofit facility that runs successful by donations from the community and effective healthcare management. The clinic is fully equipped with entertainment religious and recreational centers. The home has 492 beds, with 85% of patients covered by Florida’s Medicaid program, although the program pays $75 less per patients, than the required $205 per day.

More importantly, the clinic is staffed by a variety of dedicated medical professionals. Nurses of all disciplines are employed by the center, which has both in and out patient facilities: psychiatric and rehabilitation nurses work alongside professionals specializing in memory loss and dementia and there is even treatment available for children with cerebral palsy.

Nurses who specialize in the geriatric or rehabilitation areas are extremely well trained; having achieved either a bachelor’s or associate’s degree, their nursing license and further qualifications. They are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of their patients as well as ensuring that their dignity and opinions are not comprised. Brody writes: “Staff members trained in gerontology greet each resident by name and with a smile, know each one’s medical and personal histories and seem to enjoy taking care of older people.”

However not all nursing homes fit this mould. The Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that once patients leave the hospital or home, their level of care is diminished. The ideal solution would be to treat patients in their home, with the same nurse. Again, this problem could be solved with an increase of paid, skilled nurses.

The nursing homes that have earned a bad reputation are often staffed by workers who lack adequate training and received low pay. To ensure both the caregivers and patients are fulfilled; nursing homes need to be staffed by skilled nurses. Registered Nurses, on average, make $50,000 a year; with the potential to earn more as their skills improve. The need for nurses is great and so nursing homes will improve as the nursing job industry expands. The Miami home serves as a model for the Healthcare industry as it employs only trained professionals.