Career Profile: Geriatric Nursing

See Available Geriatric Nursing Schools

Job Description:

Are you passionate about providing care to elderly individuals? If so, then a career in geriatric nursing will definitely suit you well. Geriatric nursing professionals are mainly tasked to develop and administer appropriate treatment plans for elderly patients. They often deal with geriatric patients who are either terminally ill or those who are too old to look out for themselves. Some of the essential duties and responsibilities of geriatric nursing professionals include the following:

• help geriatric patients during bathing, dressing, or undressing
• perform routine tasks such as changing bed linens, taking vital signs, and cleaning the patient's room
• assist doctors and other medical professionals when doing diagnostic exams and procedures
• carry out doctor's order
• administer medications as directed by the patient's physician
• offer counseling to geriatric patients as well as to their families
• provide emotional and social support to elderly patients
• ensure that patients are strictly adhering to their treatment plans
• lift and transport patients who have limited mobility
• promote disease prevention and personal safety to patients

Work Environment:

Geriatric nursing professionals typically work in a well-lit, clean, pleasant, spacious and comfortable healthcare or geriatric facility. Some may have to do travel occasionally depending on their work setup. Most geriatric nursing professionals are employed in private facilities offering 24-hour care to elderly patients. Their work schedule greatly depends on the arrangement made by their employers. Some might be on-call 24 hours a day, while others work in rotating shifts.

Due to the constant exposure to infectious diseases and emotional sufferings, geriatric nursing professionals are at risk of developing mental trauma and serious medical conditions. However, this can be greatly reduced by strictly adhering to safety standards and maintaining a professional relationship with the patients.

Education and Training Requirements:

Earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree is the standard requirement before aspirants can qualify for a geriatric nursing program. Upon completion of the BSN degree, they may now find n accredited school to start their geriatric nursing training. After that, they have to pass the certification exam issued by the American Nurses Credentialing Center before they can work as a certified geriatric nurse. Those who wish to advance in their career are advised to pursue a continuing studies program (i.e. master's degree), and gain relevant experiences.

Salary Range:

Income wages of geriatric nursing professionals are considerably influenced by the following factors:

• years of experiences
• practice setting
• expertise
• educational background
• geographical location

On the average, geriatric nursing professionals receive annual earnings of around $65,000 - $70,000. Meanwhile, those who have obtained advanced certifications and earned relevant experiences typically enjoy lucrative annual earnings of more than $75,000.

Job Outlook:

It is projected that the job demand for geriatric nursing professionals will increase by 23% in the next decade due to the growing number of the aging population. Excellent job opportunities are waiting for certified geriatric nursing professionals who wish to work in home health care services, outpatient care centers, and nursing homes.

So, jumpstart you career TODAY, by browsing through our comprehensive list of accredited geriatric nursing schools!

Arizona Schools
	Phoenix - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
	Ft. Huachuca / Southern Arizona - BS in Nursing (RN Required), Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN, MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Informatics Certificate, School Nurse Certificate
	Tucson / Southern Arizona - Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN, BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

California Schools
	Anaheim - Vocational Nursing
	Costa Mesa - Vocational Nursing
Maric College	Vista / North County , San Diego - Certificate: Vocational Nursing, Certificate: Nurse Assistant Training Program
	Fresno / Central Valley - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
	Southern California - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
	Sacramento - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner
	San Diego - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing/MBA/Health Care Management
	San Francisco - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
West Coast University	Anaheim, Los Angeles, Ontario - Associate: Nursing

Colorado Schools
	Aurora - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
	Colorado Springs * - Licensed Practical Nurse to BSN, BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Connecticut Schools
	Hamden , New Britain - Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)

Florida Schools
	DeLand - Nursing Assistant
Keiser College	Kendall , Lakeland , Melbourne , Sarasota , Tallahassee , West Palm Beach - Nursing
	Orlando - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
	Jacksonville - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
	Fort Lauderdale - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
	Tampa - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
	Pensacola - Practical Nursing (Diploma)

Georgia Schools
	Atlanta - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required
	Columbus * - MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Hawaii Schools
	Honolulu - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Iowa Schools
	Cedar Falls , Cedar Rapids , Des Moines , Mason City - Practical Nursing
	Davenport - Nursing

Louisiana Schools
	Baton Rouge - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Michigan Schools
	Grand Rapids - Practical Nurse
	Detroit - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
	Grand Rapids - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
	Portage / West Michigan - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Missouri Schools
	St. Charles - Diploma in Practical Nursing, Associate in Nursing

Nebraska Schools
	Lincoln , Omaha - Practical Nursing

New Jersey Schools
	Wayne - Nurses Aid

New Mexico Schools
	Albuquerque - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Ohio Schools
	Cleveland - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)

Oklahoma Schools
	Oklahoma City - BS in Nursing (RN Required)
	Tulsa - BS in Nursing (RN Required)

Texas Schools
Texas Careers	San Antonio - Nurse's Aide, Vocational Nursing

Utah Schools
	Salt Lake City - BS in Nursing (RN Required), MS in Nursing (RN Required)
Utah Career College	West Jordan - Nursing

Virginia Schools
ECPI	Newport News , Northern Virginia , Manassas , Glen Allen , Roanoke - Practical Nursing
Medical Careers Institute	Virginia Beach , Richmond , Newport News - Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing

* Program Availability Varies By Location and Often Changes. To get the most up-to-date information, use the links we provide to request additional information from a local campus representative.

* DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University operates as DeVry Institute of Technology in Calgary, Alberta. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. AC0060. DeVry University is authorized for operation by the THEC. www.state.tn.us/thec. Nashville Campus - 3343 Perimeter Hill Dr., Nashville, TN 37211 Program availability varies by location.©2010 DeVry Educational Development Corp. All rights reserved