Geriatric Nurse Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How to become a geriatric nurse? My high school career adviser didn't help all that much, I would like to become a geriatric nurse in the future, she advice me that first I have to get my bachelors of science in nursing then a masters in gerontology, is this what you have to get to become a geriatric nurse? I would like to work in a hospital more than a home. Thanks bunches!!

Answer: Find a school that matches YOUR interest specifically. It's important that the school offers the programs you are looking for.

Question: I'm going to be a senior in high school this year. I was thinking of becoming a geriatric nurse...? What kind of school would I have to go to and is there any advice someone could give me, preferable from someone who has experience in that area? Thanx :)

Answer: you have to finish high school fisrt. After that you can play it several different ways depending on how badly you need to make money. You can start with Vo-Tech as a CNA-nurses aid, then go on to LPN school while working. After you have your LPN you can go to college to become and RN (4year degree). Or you can go to college right away. A good idea would be to volunteer at a nursing home or hospital now so you can find out if you even like working with old and sick people. Good Luck and I hope you like working with the elderly because caring nurses are very much needed.

Question: Canadian LPN (nurse) looking for temporary work in Scotland, Ireland, England, Italy or France? Hi I'm looking to do short work placements in palliative or geriatric nursing which are what my experience is in. Anyone have any ideas where to apply for these jobs? I am a Canadian LPN looking for the opportunity to do some travel for the next year or so in Europe. Excellent references, responsible 51 year old nurse. Open to considering private duty or nursing in a facility. Thanks for any assistance.

Answer: healthcaretraveler.com- links to travel nurse agencies. since you want international agencies . i suggest you send for a free trial issue and look through . this will give at least three to four agencies that do international assignments. best resource for short or long assignments.

Question: Would I get exempt from the beginning class in nursing if I am currently a geriatric nursing assistant? Why does the university want to know if I am currently a gna or cma when I applied to the nursing program?

Answer: I know LPN's are pardoned from the NSG 101 (first semester nursing class) at my school. Not sure if a nursing assitant would. It probably varies by school as well.

Question: What kind of nurse can I be? Now, I have made plans to be a registered nurse (RN) when I grow up. I know that RNs specialize in something. Like, there are pediatric nurses and geriatric nurses, and other nursing jobs like that. My two questions are; what other types of nurses are there, and is there a type of nurse for the insane? Like, in the mental ward of the hospital, not in a separate mental hospital. Thanks!

Answer: Yes, there are nurses specially trained in dealing with psych patients. Some other specialty areas include: urology, nephology, oncology, pediatric oncology, cardiology, pediatric cardiology, operating room, ENT, OB/Gyn/ orthopedics, optometry/ophthomology, neurology, emergency room, hospice, dialysis, community (public) health, school nurse, flight nurse, just to name a few. There are many large manufacturing corporations that hire nurses for employee health. You could also work at a poison control center.

Question: Any geriatric nurses? People who work in Retirement homes, etc? How did you get into this field? Do you really enjoy it? Is it rewarding? Pay well? Also, and I realize this question is going to sound ridiculous, but how did you deal with first doing bathing/changing adult diapers, etc?

Answer: I'm a RN and have done Homecare and Hospice homecare for a very long time. I bath people, change diapers, make beds---have done that for years (not with regular homecare visits, but extended care and hospice). Doing personal care really isn't any big deal at all. It allows you as a nurse to really do a good assessment, so you can find out more about your patient's condition. It is something that you just do and don't think much about it. (yes it is weird at first, but then becomes 2nd nature). I rather went into geriatrics by default - started in homecare and found out that basically I was doing geriatric care. It is rewarding work - I've been doing it a long time. I tried nursing homes and they were horrible - wouldn't do that. As a RN working in Homecare, I make anywhere from $20-$25/hr. normally.

Question: Why are people interested in taking the geriatric nursing assistant traing class?

Answer: hopefully because they have a love for elderly people and want to take care of this vulnerable population and make a difference in their lives

Question: How can geriatric patients reward themselves for reaching goals? I work with a large group of geriatric patients, many of them are nursing home patients, most of them are not very mobile. We have been discussing goal setting, and I am looking for unique ways for them to reward themselves for small (and large) accomplishments. Most of them have no spending money.

Answer: Establish simple and easy-to-do exercise programs. Aerobics should be the primary exercise. Include stretching and weightlifting. Make the exercises REAL exercises. You do not need equipment. Pool exercises are NOT real exercises. Their reward will be a stronger body, healthier and a lot happier!

Question: Geriatric nurses please answer? I want to go traveling a bit, but I am in my 90's. I intend visiting Britain, mainly London and also France, mainly the Northern part, and Holland, Belgium, Poland and Greece. The Embassy will not issue me with a valid Visa for travel unless I can produce a letter to say that I will have either a Geriatric nurse as companion or alternatively, that I have the names and addresses of geriatric nurses in all of these countries. I am really quite fit and do not think that I will need help with anything apart from baggage assistance like every other person, but all the same, please if you can, give names and addresses where I can find geriatric nurses in all or any of these countries as I am of the opinion that one single traveling companion will bore me and work up my annoyance something terrible.

Answer: I do not know about geriatric nurse but if you are interested to get accompanied by doctor let me know.

Question: What happens to geriatric prisoners? Do they get moved to a nursing home-type prison? I watch shows about prison life sometimes and you never really see anyone over the age of like, 50-55. Plus it's just so rough, it seems like once they get old and fragile that they'd be moved into a more calm, safe environment. I wouldn't want to think that some young prisoner would beat up a 75 year old cellmate, but you never know! Plus they would need so much medical attention... Are there prisons out there only for old people? Or what about handicapped people?

Answer: It would really depend on the state and the size of the facility. Typically if a facility is large enough they would have a special unit for inmates with special medical needs and geriatric inmates. If it were a smaller facility then they would be transferred to a facility that was ablr to accomodate thier needs. On a seperate note, just because an inmate is older doesn't mean they are any less dangerous, years and years of being instiuionalized can really mess with a person.