Considering the advent of a super-aged society and the corresponding increase in long-term care facilities, it is imperative to focus on improving the quality of life of residents in these facilities. Unfortunately, nurses are not mandated to be employed in long-term care facilities under the current policy in South Korea. This regulatory gap makes it challenging to address the medical issues of the residents of these facilities adequately and provide quality care through proper supervision of caregiving staff. Therefore, employing appropriate nursing personnel is essential in ensuring quality care in long-term care facilities. The need for nursing staff in these facilities must be emphasized considering the most critical aspects at stake.

Previous research has shown the need for and the effectiveness of person-centered care in long-term care facilities to maintain residents’ quality of life [3]. Additionally, the need for providing essential services such as function-focused care for older adults to maintain their functional independence in daily life has been emphasized [4]. Further, direct care providers need constant motivation, work ethic, and supervision so that they can enhance residents’ quality of life. Therefore, nurses play a crucial role in ensuring the provision of quality care on the ground.

Further, employing nurses in long-term care facilities is essential for disease management of residents in these facilities. According to a previous study, older adult population taking five or more prescribed medications was just around 4.3%. In contrast, the percentage of residents in long-term care facilities taking five or more medications was significantly higher, ranging from 70% to 73.6% [5]. Moreover, in long-term care facilities, nurse assistants and direct care providers are the ones mostly involved in medication management, which can pose risks of adverse drug reactions, duplication of medications, misuse, and problems with medication storage. Therefore, employing nurses in long-term care facilities is necessary to ensure not only proper medication management but also effective disease and emergency management.

This is where the role of the Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing (JKGN) comes into play. We need to provide adequate evidence to support the appropriate placement of nursing personnel in long-term care facilities. Additionally, evidence must be built through ongoing publication of studies on the effectiveness of various nursing interventions that can improve the quality of life of residents in long-term care facilities.