The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics determines the country will need an additional 400,000 registered nurses by 2026.The department predicts that those who have extensive training to work with the elderly will be most sought after by employers. What do you see as the role of a geriatric RN?
Discussion: Geriatric Nursing
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Discussion: Geriatric Nursing
Nursing is one of those professions in the United States that are expected to experience rapid growth in the next five years. Changes in the health care needs of populations determine the number of nurses that a country needs to take care of its population. For example, due to the anticipated rise in the healthcare needs of the United States population in the near future, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics determines that the country will need an additional 400,000 registered nurses by 2026 (Aiken University of South Carolina, 2019). However, it is important to note that not all nursing specialties which require additional registered nurses. For example, the department predicts that those who have extensive training to work with the elderly will be most sought after by employers. The purpose of this assignment is to discuss the roles of a geriatric nurse and the importance of receiving extensive training.
The role of a geriatric nurse primarily revolves around preventive care, pain management, medication management, developing nursing care plans, rehabilitation, and management of chronic illnesses. Geriatric patients often suffer from a number of health complications including neurodegenerative diseases, diminished mental capacity, musculoskeletal disorders, immune system disorders, psychological disorders, and other chronic illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes among others (Li et al., 2021). A geriatric nurse is expected to provide preventive care that will protect the patients from injury to enable them to maintain a high quality of life. The geriatric nurse conducts routine check-ups and screening to identify potential health problems while at the same time ensuring that those who are on medication receive them at the right time as prescribed (Zhang et al., 2021). To be able to perform these roles effectively, geriatric nurses should receive advanced training by enrolling in academic programs that will enable them to learn skills and knowledge related to ethical practice, evidence-based geriatric nursing practice, rehabilitative care, communication skills, advocacy, and geriatric nursing research (Yan et al., 2022). Several universities across the United States are offering programs relevant for students who want to receive extensive training in geriatric nursing.
Aiken University of South Carolina. (2019). What is gerontological nursing. https://online.usca.edu/degrees/nursing/rn-to-bsn/what-is-gerontological-nursing/#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Bureau%20of%20Labor,most%20sought%20after%20by%20employers.
Li, Z., Zhang, Z., Ren, Y., Wang, Y., Fang, J., Yue, H., Ma, S., & Guan, F. (2021). Aging and age-related diseases: from mechanisms to therapeutic strategies. Biogerontology, 22(2):165-187. doi: 10.1007/s10522-021-09910-5.
Yan, Z., Chang, H. R., Montayre, J., Ho, M. H. (2022). How does geriatric nursing education program change the knowledge, attitude and working intention among undergraduate nursing students? A systematic literature review. Nurse Education Today, 108, 105161. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2021.105161.
Zhang, C., Xiang, C., Tian, X., Xue, J., He, G., Wu, X., Mei, Z., & Li, T. (2021). Roles of nursing in the management of geriatric cardiovascular diseases. Frontiers in Medicine (Lausanne), 8, 682218. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2021.682218.