Geriatric Nurses…Boon for Baby Boomers

by Alex A. Kecskes

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 36 million Americans are over age 65. What's more, 63 percent of newly licensed nurses say seniors comprise the bulk of their daily workload. This translates into a surging need for geriatric nurses in hospitals, medical centers and senior care facilities, not to mention research, administration, consulting and education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth is expected to increase 25 percent in nursing care facilities, where many geriatric nurses work.



Geriatric nurses care for the elderly in many ways. They develop and implement treatment plans for chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disorders and many other conditions. These specialized nurses also support and counsel families of elderly patients who suffer from acute and chronic conditions. Geriatric nurses work with the elderly to improve their quality of life as they deal with age-related disabilities. They assist movement impaired patients with daily activities and ensure that patients see their doctor and take their medications properly and on time.



The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy (GNLA) will kick off its 2010-11 program designed to build geriatric nurse leadership in health care settings. Nurses participating in the program will gain valuable leadership skills that will positively influence geriatric health outcomes. GNLA participants are paired with mentors and will work for the next 18 months through an intense and comprehensive leadership curriculum. Activities include face-to-face meetings, online discussion forums and regular, structured communication between and among fellows, mentors and expert faculty leaders around the country. For more information, visit http://www.nursingsociety.org/default.aspx



Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.