Geriatric nursing is a nursing subfield which involves caring for older adults. Older adults have special needs which can become very complex, making employment prospects in the field of geriatric nursing very good. As people live longer with the assistance of modern medical developments, many older people require extended special care from members of the health profession who specialize in geriatric health issues. To become a geriatric nurse, someone must generally qualify as a nurse and take additional courses in this type of nursing to learn to meet the specific needs of older patients.
You may also hear this nursing field referred to as “gerontological nursing,” depending on regional preferences. Numerous professional organizations for geriatric nursing can be found around the world, offering additional training, certification, and support for people who work in this field. These nurses can also take advantage of trade journals, research programs, conferences, and other things which are designed to promote knowledge and cooperation in the field.
Caring for the elderly can be very complex. In addition to providing basic nursing services, a geriatric nurse must also offer emotional support to patients, watching out for their mental health and keeping a close eye out for medical conditions which can emerge quickly in the elderly. These nurses must also be able to coordinate with the families of their patients, and sometimes they work side by side with family caregivers, offering training to help them care for their family members while taking care of complex nursing tasks.
Geriatric nursing can occur in a variety of settings. Some nurses work in institutions such as hospitals, residential care facilities, and retirement communities, with some specializing in unique nursing needs such as geriatric mental health, or care for people with dementia. Other people in this field prefer to work in home nursing, either as live-in providers or visiting nurses who may be part of a team of caregivers.
Working in this field can sometimes be emotionally stressful. Elderly patients are more likely to die, and elderly people can also be victims of neglect and abuse. These nurses work very hard to provide respectful, loving care to their patients, but they are part of a larger framework, and they cannot be present all the time to watch out for their patients. Elderly individuals may also struggle with a variety of medical problems and financial issues which can contribute to depression and other mental health problems, creating unique challenges for their caregivers.