Geriatric Nurses
Overview
Introduction
Geriatric nurses provide direct patient care to elderly people in their homes, or in hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. The term geriatrics refers to the clinical aspects of aging and the overall health care of the aging population. Since older people tend to have different reactions to illness and disease than younger people, treating them has become a specialty, and because the population is aging, the geriatric nurse is a promising nursing specialty.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Registered nurses had median annual earnings of $86,070 in May 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Salaries ranged from less than $63,720 to more than $132,680. Those working in ambulatory healthcare services earned $81,230, and RNs who worked at nursing care facilities earned $79,280.
Registered nurses who worked in geriatric care earned a median salary of $112,000 in Janua...
Work Environment
Geriatric nurses can expect to work in a variety of settings depending on their nursing responsibilities. Many geriatric nurses work in nursing homes, hospitals, retirement communities, or in clinics. They may also work with hospice and community nursing programs, or as office nurses for geriatricians.
Although most health care environments are clean and well lighted, there may be some n...
Outlook
Employment for registered nurses is expected to grow by 6 percent through 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Job growth will be especially strong for geriatric nurses as a result of a rapidly increasing elderly population. The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that the population age 65 and over will more than double by 2034 (increasing from approximately 35 million in 2000 to 77 millio...
