New Geriatric CNS, how do I start??

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Specializes in LTC, Dementia, Acute care.

I will be graduating as a Gero CNS this June and have been looking around for a job, with little result since no one is posting for a Gero CNS. Anyone with ideas on how to find a job they aren't posting, but a CNS in Gero would be an asset? Also what salary should I be asking for? :lol2:

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Just curious...how does one get to be a "Clinical Nurse Specialist" in geriatrics? how much experience do you have with that population of patients?

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Specializes in LTC, Dementia, Acute care.

Well I am taking my degree at Oregon Health Science Univ where they offer a Gero CNS degree. Well they did anyway, they just cut 90% of the CNS degrees offered at OHSU, including Gero. The three remaining Gero CNS students have to take our degree by this spring or the classes we need will not be offered. Most of the CNS's I have meet working in Geriatric populations have a CNS in another feild (med-surg, mental health, AHI). We only had 4 classes offered specificaly for Geriatrics, the rest of our classes where general CNS classes. Quite often the instructor didn't know why the Gero students where in the class!

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just wondering if you received any answers because i was thinking about doing the same thing here in new york. it seems to be a field that would eventually be needed d/t the aging population. but like you i don't see any specific ads for geronurse. but do you mind telling me how the program was for you? i've been out of nsg school for 20 yrs & swore i'd never go back since it was so awful but i have absolutely loved working as a nurse just hated the education process to become one! lol

I will be graduating as a Gero CNS this June and have been looking around for a job, with little result since no one is posting for a Gero CNS. Anyone with ideas on how to find a job they aren't posting, but a CNS in Gero would be an asset? Also what salary should I be asking for? :lol2:
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Specializes in LTC, Dementia, Acute care.

No I recieved no feedback. I have also since dropped my GEro CNS program d/t lack of interest in the job feild in the area (well at least no one is interested in hiring for a APN in the Dementia feild I choose to follow). Now they no longer offer the program. You might think of going into a NP program rather then a CNS program.

just wondering if you received any answers because i was thinking about doing the same thing here in new york. it seems to be a field that would eventually be needed d/t the aging population. but like you i don't see any specific ads for geronurse. but do you mind telling me how the program was for you? i've been out of nsg school for 20 yrs & swore i'd never go back since it was so awful but i have absolutely loved working as a nurse just hated the education process to become one! lol
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thanks so much for answering! the thing is that i don't want to be a NP. i think i'd rather teach or maybe run a nursing home or something like that......

No I recieved no feedback. I have also since dropped my GEro CNS program d/t lack of interest in the job feild in the area (well at least no one is interested in hiring for a APN in the Dementia feild I choose to follow). Now they no longer offer the program. You might think of going into a NP program rather then a CNS program.
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Specializes in LTC, Dementia, Acute care.

Funny you should mention. Since dropping my CNS program I have gone into the Assisted Living world. Never loved something so much in my life. I definatly recommend it. I think I will probually go back some day for a MS, ut probually in Nurse Management.

thanks so much for answering! the thing is that i don't want to be a NP. i think i'd rather teach or maybe run a nursing home or something like that......
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