Guide to Becoming A Geriatric Nurse

 Geriatric Nurses are also called gerontological nurses, their main job entails taking care of the older population who are 50 years old or above. As the larger portion of the population of any nation starts getting older, the demand for these specialised nurses increases. Geriatric nurses are responsible for maintaining the quality of life of elder people as well as they are also advocates. By advocates, we mean that these nurses are given the right as a professional to interfere if a situation of abuse arises. These nurses make plans for elder patients and ensure that they are safe at all times. 

Now, let's look at the steps which can help you become a Geriatric nurse:-

Step 1- First of all, you must become a registered nurse, one can become a registered nurse by completing a BSc Nursing degree or an Associate degree (ADN) from a recognized institution or university.

Step 2- The next step is to prepare for the NCLEX exam and pass it. Only passing this exam will make you a registered nurse.

Step 3- The next step to becoming a geriatric nurse is to gain some work experience with elder patients to understand their needs and get hands-on training in patient care. You can join a nursing home for such kind of exposure and assist old patients before actually entering the field.

Step 4- You can choose to obtain a certification in Gerontological nursing to get an edge. Earning this certificate is not necessary for registered nurses but it definitely gives an advantage over others. To get this certificate, you must have an active nursing license, two years of clinical experience, and your degree.

If you fulfil all the requirements and pass the test NCLEX-RN, you will become a geriatric nurse easily. The salary in this job is lucrative but it depends on the level of education as well as the years of experience in hand of the employees as well.

In this field, you will mostly get to work with patients who are suffering from diseases such as diabetes, strokes, heart patients, Alzheimer's patients etc., and you will have to provide the necessary care to them. The workplaces which require gerontological nurses are hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, government agencies, and more.

If you are someone who is interested in becoming a Geriatric nurse, then you can join the best nursing college in Dehradun, Sai Nursing College where they offer the best nursing curriculum and also promise good placements. You can join the institute after your schooling directly and kickstart your career.