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A geriatric nurse, or gerontological nurse, is a type of nurse that helps care for aging and elderly
individuals. They are trained to be able to perform traditional nursing duties, yet they also have
special training that helps them better understand the special needs of many elderly people.
What Is a Geriatric Nurse?
As most people get older, their bodies start to wear out and they begin experiencing more health
problems. Because of this, elderly people often need more medical care than others.
Geriatrics is a field of medicine that deals with the care of elderly people. Geriatric nurses are
some of the most important professionals in this field, as they often provide daily care for
patients with unique needs. Since human life expectancy has increased and the members of the
Baby Boomer generation have started aging, the demand for geriatric nurses is expected to
increase dramatically.
Because of their fragile health, elderly individuals often need special care, particularly since a
minor health-related issue can sometimes spin out of control quickly in the elderly.
Working as a geriatric nurse is often very gratifying and rewarding personally. However, it takes
a special type of person to work in this field, and the work can also be frustrating or
disheartening at times as well. If you are looking to become a geriatric nurse, you must keep in
mind that the aging process affects everyone differently. While some elderly patients are
somewhat content or even happy-go-lucky, others may be sad, scared, or even angry that their
health is failing.
Before becoming a geriatric nurse, you should evaluate your personality. Geriatric nurses should
be generally upbeat and cheerful people. They should also be patient, understanding, empathetic,
and compassionate, with a true desire to work with aging patients. If you choose this career, you
should also be able to handle and bounce back from depressing events, such as the death of a
patient.
What Do Geriatric Nurses Do?
As a geriatric nurse, you will be required to perform a number of duties. For example, you will
often be responsible for
Measuring and recording vital signs
Administering medications
Exercising and massaging patients
Watching for signs of elder abuse
Transporting patients to doctor’s visits and other appointments
Helping patients with their daily needs, such as bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom
Throughout all of this, you will also be required to keep accurate patient records and coordinate
your care with the recommendations of your patients’ physicians. Geriatric nurses are often not
only responsible for the physical well-being of their patients, but also for their mental and
emotional well-being as well. Oftentimes, elderly patients will seem morose or angry, due to
reasons such as their failing health, lack of independence, and isolation from their loved ones. As
a geriatric nurse, you should keep a close eye on these patients and attempt to remain cheerful
and compassionate, even during the most difficult times.
When working as a geriatric nurse, you will also usually be encouraged to communicate with
your patients’ family members. You may need to explain a patient’s care regimen or medications
or act as a liaison between the family members, the patient, and the physician. As a geriatric
nurse, you are also in an excellent position to give both patients and their loved ones advice on
certain health and ability related issues.
Where Do Geriatric Nurses Work?
Geriatric nurses are often employed at healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics. They
also work in residential care facilities, like nursing homes and retirement communities. Some
geriatric nurses also work in home healthcare, traveling to patients’ homes to care for them there.
Becoming a Geriatric Nurse
Most geriatric nurses start out by becoming registered nurses, which involves earning a nursing
degree and passing a difficult certification examination.
If you wish to work in the field of geriatrics, however, you will also need additional education
and training, along with experience working with elderly patients. One option is to go back to
school and earn your gerontological nursing degree. Once you obtain this degree, you must then
sit for the gerontological nursing certification examination offered by the American Nurses
Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Additional Resources for Geriatric
Nurses
Geriatric Journal
ConsultGeriRN.org
GeroNurseOnline.org
American Society on Aging (ASA)
American Assisted Living Nurses Association (AALNA)
GeroNurseOnline.org
Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM)
The Gerontological Society of America
The Gerontological Society America (GSA)
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
600 California Street,
San Francisco, CA 94108
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