Spotlight on Geriatric Nurses
Geriatric nurses are equipped with the skills and training needed to help meet the physical and mental health care needs of older adults. More subtly, they also help meet the emotional needs of older patients by providing a caring touch to a population group that is often left for long periods of time by family and friends in long-term nursing or hospice care. These skilled nurses are projected to be one of the most in-demand nurses over the next 20 years within a profession that is already high in demand.
So why are geriatric nurses expected to be so high in demand well into the future? The answer is contained in two words—Baby Boomers. The entirety of this particularly large U.S. population group will be over the age of 65 by 2030, meaning 1 in 5 U.S. residents will be 65 and older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. As older adults are more at risk for medical problems and make a good deal more visits to doctor's offices and hospitals, nurses who are trained to work with geriatric patients will be even more in demand down the road than they are today. It also means there will be a lot more older adults needing skilled nursing care, hospice care and in-home nursing care.
So what exactly do geriatric nurses do? Much of the focus of these nurses is on physical rehabilitation of the elderly, or helping them regain, retain and maximize their functional abilities. Geriatric nurses know that it often takes longer for older adults to recover from illnesses and injuries, and patiently work with older adults until they make a complete or partial recovery. This is because the immune systems of older adults are not as strong as those of younger individuals. Secondly, the elderly are more susceptible to broken bones because aged bones lose the ability to resist cracking and cannot withstand as much pressure. Bones are also slower to heal in older adults.
The other side of geriatric nursing is treatment and management of mental health issues in older adults, who are more at risk for Alzheimer's, dementia, strokes and other problems affecting mental function. These geriatric nurses often work in long-term care and are responsible for making sure patients' needs for physical activity, proper nutrition, social interaction and medication are met. They also make sure the patient is not a danger to himself or others due to a mental disability.
Top Online Nursing Programs
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University of Phoenix - RN to BSN. 27 Nursing Degrees. Students interested in reaching their career goals in the healthcare industry as a nurse will reach them at the University of Phoenix. University of Phoenix allows working adults the convenience of taking classes when they can.
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South University - A.S. in Allied Health Science. As an accredited online college, South University offers a respectable Associate’s Degree in Allied Health Science for those seeking to pursue a career in healthcare. The program is offered completely online, allowing students to learn in their own time without sacrificing their current responsibilities.
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LA College - A.A. in Health Care Administration. With a handful of online health programs, LA College is a great choice for students seeking entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. Their Associate’s degree in Health Care Administration will provide students with the basis for a multitude of job opportunities in hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, and many others.
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Post University - BS in Mgmt. For Registered Nurses. Post University is dedicated in helping students achieve their personal and professional goals in a timely manner, allowing them to pursue their careers in healthcare more quickly. The Bachelor of Science in Management for Registered Nurses degree will prepare nurses to obtain administrative and management roles that require critical-thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills.
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Herzing University - BSN-Bridge Program. With nursing constituting as the largest healthcare occupation today, Herzing University has created quality nursing programs to fulfill the increasing demand in the industry. At Herzing, students receive hands-on training in order to help them enter the workforce with confidence.
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The College Network - 10 universities offering Nursing Degrees. The College Network is one of the nation's top providers in providing high quality nursing degrees online. Students have the opportunity to pursue a variety of HealthCare degrees that that will allow them to further their career in Nursing.
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Jones International University - B.A. in Health Care Mgmt. Jones International University offers a Bachelor’s program in Health Care Management that will help students become skilled and effective managers in the healthcare industry. Students could work in a variety of different settings upon completion of the program.
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Virginia College - BS in Health Services Management. Virginia College is dedicated in helping students achieve their goals and aspirations to advance in the health care industry. Their Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Management will prepare students for a variety of career options in assistant management or administrative positions within a healthcare facility.
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Western Governors University - B.S. in Nursing. Western Governors University is an accredited online university offering a variety of nursing and healthcare programs for students of all ages. Their Nursing program will incorporate patient education, health promotion, nursing roles, technology, and many other health related subjects.
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Baker College - B.S. in Nursing. Baker College allows students to complete their Nursing degree completely online, at their own pace and time. Their program provides current registered nurses with the opportunity to advance and continue their growth.
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Keiser University - B.A. in Health Services Administration. With several degree options in the healthcare field, Keiser University prepares students for a variety of positions in any healthcare setting. Their mission is to help students develop skills and knowledge that will prepare them for leadership positions upon graduation.
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Indiana State University - LPN to BSN. Students looking to jump start a career will find accredited an accredited RN to BSN nursing degree from the Indiana State University. Indiana State University was originally founded in 1865 and over this time has prepared thousands of students for new, exciting careers.
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