Q: What's a typical workday like for you?
A: I work with patients who typically come from nursing homes where the staff is having difficulty managing the patients' behaviors. I assist them with dressing and breakfast, obtain vital signs and administer medications. I spend a lot of time with families - educating them and keeping them posted on the plan of care. I also work in the Bethesda outpatient clinic, where we diagnose patients with cognition and medication management problems. I do follow-up on former patients as well.
Q: How does your role fit into the bigger healthcare picture?
A: Geriatric nursing is cost-effective in our care of the elderly and helps families to establish a rapport with caregivers. Plus, baby boomers will demand innovative, knowledgeable care. Nurses who are interested in geriatrics will become vitally important as our population ages.
Q: Who do you interact with during the course of the day?
A: I work most closely with the other RNs and certified nursing assistants, who have the most direct contact with our patients. I work very closely with occupational therapists, a social worker, clinical manager and medical director.
Q: Why did you become a geriatric nurse?
A: I always wanted to do geriatric nursing. In our society, it must seem to the elderly like they're discarded once they lose their youth. I just felt a kind of empathy for them.
Q: What do you like about your work?
A: I like being able to provide care to a segment of the population that can be overlooked and also try to give my patients a sense of dignity and worth. I really enjoy working with families, and I feel really good when I can sense they are reassured by what I tell them.