The Power of Nurses in Long Term Care

As published in the Orlando Sentinel, May 8, 2026

Each year, National Nurses Week offers an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary role nurses play in our health care system. This year’s theme is the Power of Nurses — a recognition of the skill, compassion, and resilience that define the profession. Nowhere is that power more evident than in Florida’s nursing centers, where nurses serve as the backbone of quality, continuity, and dignity in care.

In nursing centers across Florida, nurses are responsible for maintaining residents’ health, safety, and quality of life around the clock. Our work goes far beyond clinical tasks. We provide skilled medical care, manage medications, and monitor chronic conditions, often identifying subtle changes that can prevent unnecessary hospitalizations. We supervise certified nursing assistants, coordinate with physicians, and offer emotional support to residents and their families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. We are the steady presence residents rely on every day.

As the Chief Nursing Officer at Southern Healthcare Management, I can tell you that the nursing workforce itself is a collaborative team of professionals with varying levels of training and responsibility. Registered Nurses (RNs) often lead care delivery, ensuring each resident receives personalized and appropriate treatment. They supervise Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs), while also coordinating care plans and clinical decisions. LPNs play a critical role by delivering day-to-day care, working closely with RNs and physicians to ensure continuity and consistency. Together with CNAs, they form an integrated care team that supports residents physically, emotionally, and socially.

The impact of a strong nursing workforce in Florida’s nursing centers is measurable. I’m proud to Chair the Quality Cabinet for the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA), where we’re committed to helping our members continue to grow a strong and resilient workforce for the seniors and vulnerable residents who depend on us. Nurses are the reason Florida’s nursing centers are gold standard and consistently outpace the nation in quality outcomes and staff retention. This translates into continuity of care, safer environments and better lives for thousands of individuals who depend on long term care services in Florida. 

FHCA’s efforts are focused on attracting new caregivers and supporting their current staff in delivering high-quality care. Through partnerships with educational institutions and outreach to student organizations, FHCA is introducing young people to meaningful opportunities within long term care. The FHCA scholarship programs are also helping current caregivers advance their nursing careers and grow within the profession, ensuring a stronger pipeline of skilled nurses for the future.

Working in long term care is both demanding and deeply rewarding. It calls for clinical expertise, patience, and a genuine commitment to serving others. This National Nurses Week, as we celebrate “The Power of Nurses,” it is worth recognizing that the impact of nurses extends far beyond bedside care. Nurses in long term care are advocates, leaders, and lifelines—ensuring that older adults and individuals with disabilities receive the respect, dignity, and high-quality care they deserve.

Our power is not just in what we do, but in the difference we make every single day.