As a geriatric nurse, you get to visit with patients
that have a world of knowledge, and a lifetime of experience. Most geriatric patients feel very comfortable
being honest, and simply telling it just as it is, which can make for a refreshing
change, and a very unique experience.
Where do Geriatric Nurses work?
Nurses specializing in geriatric care can work in any
capacity as a nurse. There are geriatric
patients in hospitals, and well as private practices, and the expertise from having
geriatrics as a specialty can be very beneficial when working with elderly
patients. Geriatric nurses are in high
demand in nursing homes, retirement centers, and memory care facilities.
Responsibilities of a Geriatric Nurse
The job responsibilities of a geriatric nurse range
quite a bit. Memory care centers and
nursing homes may require geriatric nurses to work with patients that are
suffering from dementia, or age related medical conditions. In this area much of the care would involve
evaluating physical functions and cognitive skills of the patient. This particular type of nursing involves
charting, and keeping records of the patient's progress, and their overall
condition. Over the last decade, there
has been a growing popularity in facilities that specialize in memory care
management. Many nursing homes have
sections that work with patients suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia, and
within these areas there is a need for numerous nurses that have specialized
training in geriatric care.
Related: What Can You Do with a BSN?
Providing the Best Care for Geriatric Patients
A great portion of caring for geriatric patients
involves motivation. As people age,
there is a huge tendency to slow down physically. Joints become stiff and sore, and let's face
it, it's not fun to move when there is pain involved. Geriatric patients need to stay active, it's
as simple as that. Making mobility fun
or entertaining for older patients can offer encouragement for them to
participate. Group settings, and games
can work well for many people, interaction with others is important to the well
being of the elderly, and it helps to maintain social skills. Range of motion exercises can be recommended
for bedridden patients. Any form of
mobility is a positive part of a geriatric patient's care and treatment. Most older people still have a great sense
of humor, so keeping things light can help to make procedures go smoothly. One geriatric nurse in a nursing home was
noted for her entertainment of patients every time she visited their room and
did any procedure or waited as they took their medications. She had a complete selection of very old
songs that she would choose from, depending on which patient she was
visiting. Many of the patients looked
forward to her visits, even if uncomfortable medical procedures were involved,
her ability to let them reminisce through music made it all worthwhile.
Is a Career in Geriatric Nursing Right for You?
There are certainly some considerations before making
up your mind to be specialized in geriatric care. You need to know what to expect with elderly
patients, as their medical issues and care are often different from that of a
younger population. Geriatric care may
involve dealing with physical disabilities that the patients have from injuries
or disease. Encouraging mobility is a
top priority, and often a challenge, since a patient in pain may not want to
move. There are also considerations
regarding caring for Alzheimer's patients, or patients suffering from
dementia. Working with patients
suffering from Alzheimer’s can be challenging, and involves being very patient,
and remaining calm, even if the patient is combative.
Related: Where do Registered Nurses Work?
End of life care is also a part of working with
geriatric patients. It is the
responsibility of the nurse to ensure the patient's' level of comfort is
adequate, and that their care is the best possible until the end. Nurses working in geriatric care can expect
to have heavy interaction with family members of their patients. When patients become incapable of making
decisions for them, it often falls to the family members, who then turn to the
nurse for assistance.
As the baby boomer population
continues to age, the demand for more geriatric nurses will increase. Currently only one 1% of all nurses are
certified geriatric nurses, so it is a career that is very much in demand. One thing that is required of geriatric
nurses is to monitor patients closely for depression, which is fairly common
among the elderly. For patients
suffering from depression, it may be necessary to have an antidepressant prescribed;
the top priority is keeping the patient happy and comfortable. If you would like to explore working in a
geriatric specialized career, consider exploring it prior to continuing
education aimed toward geriatric nursing.
Many nursing homes and retirement centers enlist the help of volunteers,
and devoting some time to volunteering would allow you to see firsthand what
working with elderly patients exclusively is like.
A career in geriatric nursing is one that should be
recognized and praised; after all you are caring for a very great population of
individuals. Most geriatric patients
have spent a lifetime as productive citizens, and now as they have reached a
time of need; it is up to those caring for them to ensure they are in fact well
cared for. Sadly, elder abuse is a
reality, and should never be overlooked.
If you ever suspect anyone, whether be medical personnel, caregiver, or
family member, always report it to the proper authority, and follow up to
ensure it was addressed. Never assume
someone else will report it, as a nurse it is your responsibility to bring any
case of abuse to proper authorities.
Geriatric nursing can actually be one of the best
specialties in nursing that you could opt to work in. Geriatric patients have learned how to enjoy
life, and let the small worries go. Many
older patients are grateful for every day they are alive, and have truly
learned to appreciate life. As a
geriatric nurse, you may be the care provider to the patient; however you may
in turn learn valuable life lessons from your patients every day.
Related: International Nurses Association
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