Geriatric Psych Nursing

[minRN]

I am a psych RN. Over the years I have seen more and more geriatric clients admitted to my facility from nursing homes. Given that our population is aging quickly, I see a future need for advanced practice nurses working with geriatric clients with psychiatric problems (combativeness r/t dementia etc.)Does anyone know of advanced practice programs in geri psych?

[Kitsilano]

My name is Jackie and I'm a geriatric psychiatric nurse...I'm about to embark on a career in private practice as a consultant/educator. I have always believed that there should be greater emphasis placed on geriatric psychiatry.

Here in Vancouver, BC through Simon Fraser University, there is a post-bacclaureate offered in Gerontology but that's about it.

I've just started a mail-list for geriatric psychiatry at [email protected]'s just starting out but I'm hoping that it will very informative and supportive to those of us who have recognized geriatric psychiatry as the specialty it is.

email me directly at [email protected] if you're interested in subscribing.

Take care,

Jackie

[evelyn]

To minRN,

There are some universities with specialization in Psychiatry leading to Advanced Practice in Psych Nursing Degree. Here in Maryland, USA,where I completed my MS in Psych, Adult Psych and Mental Health Nursing encompasses different areas of interest in Psych practice. Geriatric population is true to homecare because of Medicare. I can not imagine the exclusion of psych in the study of gerontology, and what I often encounter in my practice is more of neuropsychiatry in the geriatric population.

[evelyn]

To minRN and Jackie

There are some universities with specialization in Psychiatry leading to Advanced Practice in Psych Nursing Degree. Here in Maryland, USA,where I completed my MS in Psych, Adult Psych and Mental Health Nursing encompasses different areas of interest in Psych practice. Geriatric population is true to homecare because of Medicare. I can not imagine the exclusion of psych in the study of gerontology, and what I often encounter in my practice is more of neuropsychiatry in the geriatric population.

[glog]

New York University in New York City has a master's degree program leading to the specialization of gerontological nurse practitioner. Since they also have a master's program in mental health you should be able to combine courses in such a way to fit your needs.

Vanderbilt University, in Nashville TN also has a gerentological nurse practitioner program. One of the courses in the program is dedicated exclusively to the psychosocial aspects of aging.

Good Luck!