Do Assisted Living Facilities Have Nurses? A 2025 Guide to Senior Care Staffing

One of the biggest questions families ask when researching assisted living facilities in Southern California is: Do assisted living facilities have nurses? With so much confusion around senior living, nursing homes, and medical care, it’s essential to understand how nursing services actually work in assisted living communities.

In this article, we’ll break down:
✅ What kind of nursing staff assisted living facilities have
✅ The difference between assisted living and nursing homes
✅ The services nurses provide
✅ State regulations and training
✅ Latest 2025 statistics on senior care

Let’s explore what you can really expect from nursing care in assisted living — so you can feel confident about your loved one’s safety and support.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living communities are residential facilities where seniors live semi-independently with help for daily activities, like:

• Bathing and dressing

• Medication reminders

• Housekeeping

• Meals

• Social activities
  

Unlike nursing homes, assisted living does not provide intensive medical care around the clock. But many communities do have licensed nurses on staff or on call to support residents’ wellness.

Do Assisted Living Facilities Have Nurses Onsite?

Yes, many assisted living facilities employ nurses — but their roles differ from those in a nursing home.

• Some assisted living facilities have Registered Nurses (RNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) on staff to oversee resident wellness and manage medications.

• Others may contract with outside nursing agencies to provide periodic visits.

• Regulations vary by state; for example, California does not mandate 24/7 RN coverage in assisted living, but many communities voluntarily staff nurses for resident safety.
  

According to HealthStream, about 60% of assisted living communities nationwide employ at least one licensed nurse in a supervisory or wellness role. However, they usually do not deliver the same level of skilled medical care as a nursing home.

What Do Nurses in Assisted Living Actually Do?

While every facility is different, nurses in assisted living typically handle:

✅ Assessments of residents’ health
✅ Medication management
✅ Care planning
✅ Coordination with doctors
✅ Staff training
✅ Responding to health emergencies

Unlike nursing homes, they generally do not perform advanced medical treatments, ventilator care, or wound management on a daily basis.

For higher-acuity needs, many families transition to skilled nursing or a nursing home. However, for most seniors, the lighter medical oversight in assisted living is enough to maintain quality of life.

Difference Between Assisted Living and Nursing Homes

Feature	Assisted Living	Nursing Home
Medical Staff	RNs/LPNs may oversee care, but not 24/7 skilled	24/7 skilled nursing and therapies
Level of Care	Supports daily living, moderate health oversight	Advanced medical care and rehabilitation
Environment	Apartment-like, social community	Hospital-like, clinical environment
Cost	~$4,995/month national average (2025)	~$9,000/month national average (2025)

So, if your loved one has complex medical needs, a nursing home is more appropriate. Otherwise, assisted living with nursing support is a great blend of independence and safety.

Regulations on Nursing in Assisted Living (2025)

Each state regulates nursing staff in assisted living differently. For example:

• California: Assisted living communities may employ licensed nurses, but are not required to have them on duty 24/7.

• New York: Requires a licensed nurse on-site for specific medication administration.

• Texas: Allows licensed nurses to supervise care staff but not to provide skilled nursing unless specially licensed.
  

Families should always ask their chosen community:

👉 “Is there an RN or LPN on staff? What hours are they available?”

Benefits of Nurses in Assisted Living

✅ Better medication safety
✅ Wellness checks and preventative care
✅ Faster response in emergencies
✅ Peace of mind for families
✅ Staff training and oversight

As more seniors choose senior living in Southern California, having on-site nurses can be a deciding factor for many families.

2025 Senior Care Trends

🟢 Tele-nursing: More facilities use telehealth visits to connect residents with RNs
🟢 Medication management apps: Helping seniors stay compliant
🟢 Specialty memory care nurses: Facilities are hiring dementia-care trained nurses
🟢 Nurse practitioners (NPs): Contracted by some assisted living communities to provide higher-level assessments

According to Marquis Companies, nearly 70% of assisted living facilities in 2025 will incorporate either in-house or contracted nurse coverage, up from 55% in 2018.

How to Choose an Assisted Living Facility with Nurses

Consider asking these questions on a facility tour:

✔ How many nurses are on staff?
✔ Are nurses available nights and weekends?
✔ Do they handle medication administration?
✔ Can they coordinate with my loved one’s physician?
✔ Do they have experience with memory care or chronic illnesses?

Facilities like Bliss Homes may provide customized nursing services depending on your family’s needs.

Real-Life Example

Linda, a daughter in Los Angeles, moved her father to an assisted living community with two on-site nurses. He had mild diabetes and needed medication checks. The nurses helped monitor his blood sugar and adjusted his medications with the doctor — all while letting him live independently.

“This was the perfect balance,” Linda says. “My dad had freedom but felt safe.”

Final Thoughts

So, do assisted living facilities have nurses? In most cases, yes — but their scope is more focused on oversight, wellness, and emergency response than intensive medical treatment.

Understanding the staffing models will help you pick the right senior living option for your family. Always tour communities, ask detailed questions, and check credentials to make sure the nursing support matches your loved one’s health needs.

FAQs

Q1: Do assisted living facilities have nurses on staff 24/7?
Not always. Some have nurses on staff during the day and on-call overnight, but 24/7 coverage is not universal.

Q2: What kind of nurses work in assisted living?
Usually Registered Nurses (RNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), focused on medication, wellness checks, and emergencies.

Q3: Can nurses in assisted living do medical procedures?
They can do basic health checks, manage medications, and coordinate care, but advanced procedures typically happen in a nursing home or hospital.

Q4: How is nursing in assisted living different from a nursing home?
Nursing homes provide 24/7 skilled medical care, while assisted living focuses on wellness and routine support.

Q5: Do assisted living facilities in Southern California have specialized nurses?
Many do, especially in memory care or diabetes support. Always ask about their nursing staff’s training and certifications.