Admission
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Last reviewed: 27/08/2025
Admission
During admission to a care home the nurse plays the pivotal role in supporting the transition process for the person and their family. The nurse’s role will include practical interventions such as assessment of the new resident’s needs, care planning and medicines management.
The needs of the resident
Seema - respite care at Red Cedars
As Seema moved towards the door she started to back away and stumbled. Sue was able to safely steady Seema, to gain eye contact, smile and encourage Seema's family to explain what was happening. Sue also knew Rachel was available, observing the situation but not overwhelming Seema.
Sue was aware of Seema's past history and her current confusion. Sue was alerted to the possibility that Seema is experiencing a delirium in addition to her mental health issues. Sue has recently become a delirium champion through the RCN's delirium champion campaign.
The needs of family and friends
When supporting the family/friends of someone joining a care home it is the nurse's role to ensure they feel able to continue in a caring role at a level they are comfortable with this might include joining in meal times and social events or continuing to provide personal care. The nurse should be able to anticipate the potential needs of family/friends at this time and to provide opportunity to discuss specific details.
People often find it helpful to have the support of others in similar situations and to engage in the home community by being introduced to relative groups or educational sessions.
Below is a film of a home which has created a memory café for their residents, residents from other homes and people from the local community.
Further resources
The needs of nursing colleagues
Sue - Supporting Seema's wellbeing
We can see that Sue had prepared for Seema's admission, was well informed and empathetic and had experience in managing situations which are emotionally sensitive.
The RCN has previously set out many aspects of the role of a registered nurse working in a care home which reflect the diverse nature of nursing. Sue's actions clearly fall into the supportive category which includes psychosocial and emotional support, assisting with easing transition, enhancing lifestyles and relationships ensuring cultural sensitivity.
The scenario may have been very different in unskilled hands, had Seema been guided in a different way without understanding her communication and perceptual needs. Seema might have displayed distress, perhaps by being physically or verbally protective. Distressed reactions can be disturbing to the person, their families, staff and other residents.
The RCN has prepared some guidance for those staff managing difficult situations, these are really useful for staff like Rachel who was unfamiliar with the situation and relatively new to her role.
Further resources
Sue - clinical supervision
Sue, as a senior member of the team, has responsibility for managing staff.
As RCN publications have previously explained the registered nurse in a care home undertakes a wide range of administrative and supervisory responsibilities that call for the exercise of managerial skills. Such responsibilities include the supervision of care delivered by other staff and the overall management of the home environment. This includes clinical supervision and the debriefing of staff who have experienced difficult or emotive situations.
Further resources
Practice interventions (resources)
Below you will find some further links to resources.
Resource lead
Contact details for the resource lead:
