mturnerRN

Hi TNNurse, I have been a geriatric nurse for over 26 years and really enjoy being around the elderly. It is both a challenging and rewarding field and the nursing profession needs more nurses like you to care for the aging population. I have also been in management-ADON, DON and I would never allow any of the new grad nurses that I hired to work the 11-7 shift until they had enough orientation and/or training and told me they felt comfortable enough to work independently. I would also made sure that they felt comfortable with their skills. There are numerous geriatric nursing books that are available, too, that will help you. I am in the process of getting my master's and I have learned even more about this population. It will take you at least a year to feel comfortable within your setting. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Your DON is responsible for assisting you. I'm not sure who does the scheduling, but it was poor planning on their part. If all else fails, call the doctor and explain to him/her what the situation is, be sure that you know which patients are DNR, in the event that something does happen to them. One more thing, your assessment skills are extremely important, in addition to documenting. Best of Luck!

I have been enrolled in a MSN with a specialty in gerontology for the past 3 years. I have one more year to complete this program. I was under the impression that if I completed this program I could take the Post-Master's certificate and sit for the NP certification exam as I have been informed by several enrollment advisors. My situation is I am 58 yrs. old. Is it too late to think about entering a geriatric NP or CNS program at my age? Thank you for any assistance or advice. Sincerely, Marsha