Geriatric Unit

Specialties Geriatric

Published

Good morning nurses!

I am currently a senior in a BSN program graduating in May. I was lucky enough to score an interview next week in a major hospital in DC in their geriatric unit. I was wondering if anyone had any idea of what to expect in this unit (the diagnoses, patient care, stress level). I absolutely adore the geriatric population so I would love to work with them. My future goal is to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner specializing in geriatric psychiatry. Anyone knows what I should expect working in a hospital geriatric unit? Thanks! :)

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN

3,734 Posts

COPD, CHF, Diabetes are our biggies. Hip and knee repairs and fractures. Dementia care.

Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, Correctional/Forensic Psychiatry.
COPD, CHF, Diabetes are our biggies. Hip and knee repairs and fractures. Dementia care.
How many patients do you usually care for a shift? What would you consider the stress level working on a geriatric unit?

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN

3,734 Posts

I work in a LTC facility with 50 beds. Some days I'm supervisor and have two LPNs other days I'm on a cart and have the facility plus a 24-26 resident assignment depending on what hall I take.

As far as stress....every day is different. We have a good turn over of residents. Some shifts are more stressful than others. Stress to me would be different than what it is to another nurse. After 20 years...I get kinda numb to it, LOL

Specializes in Adult Psychiatry, Correctional/Forensic Psychiatry.

Does anyone have any cheat sheets for caring for geriatric patients or report sheets that may come in handy or maybe any good reads? I just would like to be very prepared when the time comes and I love learning new information.

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