How to Become a Geriatric Nurse
Wondering what it takes to join the ranks of geriatric nurses? The rise in the elderly population means these nurses will be in increasingly high demand in the next decade and beyond. Nurses who specialize in gerontology can work in direct patient care or in non-traditional roles, such as geriatric care managers. Keep reading to learn about what it takes to become a geriatric nurse, typical job duties, geriatric nurse certification options, and more.
What Is a Geriatric Nurse and What Does a Geriatric Nurse Do?
Geriatric nurses care for the elderly population. Although they may address diseases and injuries, professionals who work in this specialty also work with healthy patients who are experiencing the normal deterioration that can come with aging.
When you decide on a geriatric nursing career path, it’s good to know what will be expected of you on a daily basis. Some geriatric nurse responsibilities include:
- Reality orientation
- Emotional support
- Medication administration
- Fall risk assessments
- Mental status assessments
Where Do Geriatric Nurses Work?
Geriatric nurses work in facilities that specialize in caring for the elderly, such as:
- Nursing homes
- Post-acute care facilities
- Geri-psych units
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Assisted living facilities
How to Become a Geriatric Nurse: 4 Steps
There are core milestones every nurse must complete no matter the specific route you take to this nursing role. Let’s take a look at some of the most important steps.
Step 1: Complete Nursing School
Every RN specialty starts with completing either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing. In either program, you’ll complete clinical rotations in areas like adult medicine, med-surg, psychiatric nursing, and more. You’ll also complete didactic courses, including:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Nursing fundamentals
Nursing school is known for being challenging, but with good study habits and dedication, you’ll graduate with the basic skills and knowledge to practice nursing in a variety of settings.
Step 2: Pass the NCLEX
The National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is the last milestone you’ll need to complete to become an RN. The NCLEX will likely cover questions on the care of older adults, but you’ll also be tested on other nursing essentials, including:
- Safety and infection control
- Pharmacology
- Health promotion
- Care management
The NCLEX is an adaptive exam that can be anywhere from 75 to 150 questions. The length of your exam will depend on how well you answer. Once the system has reached a 95% certainty that you are above or below the standard for passing, the exam will end. You should receive your exam results within six weeks of your exam date.
Step 3: Gain Experience
Geriatrics is an area where nurses are needed, so you’ll likely be able to begin your career in a geriatric care area if that’s where you want to be. Geriatric nurses don’t necessarily go by that title, so you can search for roles in specialties such as:
- Long-term care
- Home health
- Hospice nursing
- Rehabilitation
- Memory care
- Recuperative care
On the other hand, if you’re looking for more broad experience to start, you might consider working in med-surg or ambulatory care. You’ll work with older adults in every adult nursing specialty, so you’ll still be getting geriatric experience in these settings.
Step 4: Get Your Geriatric Nurse Certification
Certification shows your dedication to a population and their needs. Earning a certification is not required to practice, but it can help increase your confidence, earning potential, and career prospects.
The ANCC offers the leading credential in this specialty. Gerontology Certification (GERO-BC) is awarded via a competency-based exam that verifies you have the advanced skills and knowledge of this specialty. This certification lasts for five years.
To take the exam, applicants must have:
- At least 2 years of full-time practice as a registered nurse
- A minimum of 2,000 clinical hours in gerontology within the past 3 years
- 30 hours of continuing education unique to this specialty within the past 3 years
Here’s a breakdown of the initial geriatric nurse certification cost from the ANCC website:
- American Nurses Association members: $295
- Non-ANA members: $395
The pass rate for the GERO-BC exam is 74%, so if you meet the experience requirement, you have a good shot at passing. But to avoid paying for retesting, you’ll still want to prepare. Here are a few study tools and resources:
- ANCC’s PracticeIQ materials include 200 practice questions based on the exam outline.
- Take a third-party practice test.
- Geriatric nurse certification programs are available to help you review content and complete CE requirements.
Related Certifications for Geriatric Nurses
In addition to the GERO-BC, you might need to have one or more of these credentials:
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Certification (NIHSS)
- Certified Case Manager (CCM)
- Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN)
How Long Does It Take to Become a Geriatric Nurse?
The time it takes for you to enter this specialty is unique to your specific career path. If you attend a traditional nursing program, expect to invest at least three or four years.
Geriatric Nurse Salary
Typical geriatric nurses earn between $71,553 and $91,357 annually. Your salary may vary based on your facility, years of experience, and location.
When you’re deciding on a new place to live, it’s helpful to know what nurses are paid in that area. Here are five states with some of the highest salaries for nurses:
Geriatric Nurse Skills
Some nursing skills are more relevant to specific specialties. The traits below are especially helpful when working in geriatrics.
Attention to Detail
Elderly people may have difficulty with caring for themselves due to memory loss and decreasing sense acuity, so it’s up to you to look out for them. Recognizing small skin tears or a change in their routine early on can prevent future complications.
Patience
The difficulties of aging impact both the elderly and their caregivers. You may have to repeat yourself to your patients, wait a while for them to complete simple tasks, deal with challenging behaviors, and more. Life moves at a slower pace for them, so be prepared to adapt to this change.
Conscientiousness
Your patients will be increasingly dependent on you to maintain their quality of life. Ensuring that you complete all your tasks as thoroughly as possible goes a long way. It’s essential that they can depend on you to care for their needs.
Therapeutic Communication
Imagine knowing that you’re slipping into dementia or losing your hearing. Sounds frustrating, right? This is the reality for many geriatric patients. Adjusting the way you communicate to adapt to your patients’ needs will make an impact on compliance and smooth interactions. It’s important that patients feel confident that they understand you and that their needs are heard.
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