How to Become a Geriatric Nurse
Geriatric nurses work directly with elderly patients out of hospitals, medical clinics, and nursing homes. They help provide medical care for patients, ensure their safety, and support them through their health care journey.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore the possibility of becoming a geriatric nurse or you already have experience in the field, here are the basic steps to help you join the profession.
Gain the Necessary Education and Skills
Geriatric nurses must possess a high level of knowledge about the physical and mental health issues that elderly patients often face. Generally, nursing candidates need to complete a two- or four-year degree program in nursing at an accredited school, and if desired, can even specialize in geriatric care.
Having educational experience in geriatrics and caring for the elderly is the best place to start for any nurse who aims to specialize in elder care. Students can also participate in internships or volunteer in a health care environment to help gain experience in geriatric nursing.
Obtain Licensing and Certification
Every state requires all nurses, geriatric or otherwise, become licensed to practice in a legal manner. To obtain a nursing license, candidates must complete the specified number of clinical hours, pass a national exam, and typically renew their licensing every few years. Once nurses have passed the necessary state licensure examinations they can then enhance their credentials by becoming a certified gerontological nurse.
Certified gerontological nurses (CGN) must pass the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) exam in order to become certified. CGNs must be current on continuing education credits and re-certify every three years to retain their certification.
Build Your Caregiving Skills
Geriatric nursing requires a unique skill set in terms of care for the elderly. Patients require complex communication and interactions that need to be tailored to an individuals circumstances, age, gender, cultural background, and more. Some of the necessary skills that geriatric nurses must possess include:
- Providing physical and emotional care
- Assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, dressing, grooming, etc.
- Administering medications and monitoring their effects
- Educating patients and their families on health care management
- Partnering with other health care professionals to coordinate care
Prepare for the Future of Geriatric Care
The landscape of health care delivery is constantly changing, and geriatric nurses need to stay up to date on the latest technology and strategies. To best prepare for the future of nursing, geriatric nurses must stay abreast of changes in geriatric health care and engage in continuing education. New technology, like artificial intelligence and machine learning, can help enhance patient care while decreasing the burden of health care staff.
Making a Difference in Elderly Care
Geriatric nurses make a big difference in helping the elderly stay as comfortable and healthy as possible. The profession is also rapidly growing with the aging population, and there are many different ways you can make an impact in the care of the elderly. Whether you’re just beginning to explore the possibilities or already have years of experience, following these steps can help you become a successful geriatric nurse.