What You Need To Know About Geriatric Nurse
In addition to specializing in the care of older patients, geriatric nurses play an important role on the healthcare team in Helping older adults in maintaining their mobility, independence, and overall quality of life. They are trained to anticipate the needs of aging adults and collaborate closely with primary care physicians, attending physicians, social workers, and families in order to provide individualized care to elderly patients in a safe and comfortable environment. Geriatric nurses are concerned with diseases and health concerns associated with old age, such as the following:
Osteoporosis sCancer
Stroke
Alzheimer’s disease/dementia is a type of dementia that affects the brain.
Arthritis
Pain that lasts for a long period of time
Poly-pharmacy
Tolerance to medications decreases.
Deficiency in essential nutrients
Impaired mobility is a problem.
Incontinence
Psychosocial issues can be addressed by geriatric nurses as well. Loneliness, depression, and isolation are common feelings experienced by older adults who have limited mobility. When it comes to geriatric patients, mental health is just as important as physical health. In addition, elder abuse (physical, psychological, and financial) and neglect are issues that need to be addressed in our society. According to the American Psychological Association, an estimated 4 million older adults are victims of abuse and neglect, and geriatric nurses can act as advocates for them and connect them with the resources they require.
At the Top of the Form
Geriatric nurses are responsible for providing care to the elderly and should have previous experience and a strong interest in this field. To effectively treat these patients, you will need to have an entirely different set of skills than you would normally have. A nurse who is willing to serve as an advocate, resource, and liaison is a valuable asset in this situation.
A Geriatric Nurse’s education and training requirements are as follows:
Courses in nursing programs can prepare students for careers in geriatric nursing, which they can pursue after they graduate. Several nursing schools have geriatric nursing modules that are incorporated into their curriculums for students. Geriatric nursing students can also complete clinical rotations in healthcare facilities that specialize in the care of the elderly, such as skilled nursing facilities or hospital units that are geared toward the elderly.
Is it necessary to have any certifications or credentials?
Registered nurses who are currently in practice can pursue certification in gerontological nursing. RNs must pass a certification exam that is valid for five years before they can practice. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certifies nurses who have completed the following tasks:
Have an RN license as of right now
Have at least two years of full-time nursing experience (or equivalent)
To be considered for this position, you must have completed at least 2,000 hours of supervised clinical practice in the specialty of gerontological nursing within the last three years.
Have completed 30 hours of continuing nursing education in gerontological nursing in the last three years, if applicable.
Geriatric nurses work in a variety of settings.
Geriatric nurses can work in a wide range of healthcare settings, including the following:
Hospitals
Nursing homes with a high level of expertise
Nursing homes are facilities that provide care to people who are ill or disabled.
Centers for the elderly
Centers for Alzheimer’s care
Clinics that provide outpatient ambulatory care
In-home care and home health services
Medical students and residents who work as clinical educators in hospitals, universities, and community colleges
Management of a case (BSN-prepared RNs)
So, what exactly is the job of a Geriatric Nurse?
Geriatric nurses are specially trained to anticipate the needs of an aging patient population and to possess the skills necessary to act on their behalf in a variety of situations.
What Are the Duties and Responsibilities of a Geriatric Nurse?
The following are examples of the roles and responsibilities of a geriatric nurse:
Patient education is important.
Management of medication regimens
Communication between patients, their families, and health-care providers
Keeping one’s functional mobility is important.
Maintaining one’s psychosocial well-being
Geriatric patients receive nursing care at their bedsides.
Salary and employment opportunities for geriatric nurses
In and of itself, the field of nursing can be extremely rewarding; however, specialization in geriatric nursing can be particularly rewarding. Across the United States, the Baby Boomer generation is growing older and frequently accounts for a greater proportion of healthcare visits than younger Americans. As a result, there is a greater demand for geriatric nursing staff. A geriatric nurse’s annual salary is $66,169, which is the national average. Salary, on the other hand, can vary depending on the state and city, the number of years of experience, the employer or facility, and the degree and certifications that are held.
