A geriatric nurse is an RN who cares for older adult patients. Learning how to become a geriatric nurse involves earning a nursing degree, such as a BSN, and obtaining RN licensure by passing the NCLEX-RN. After gaining experience, geriatric nurses may obtain professional certification.
A geriatric nurse, also called a gerontological nurse, earns a nursing degree, obtains licensure, and gains clinical experience before pursuing professional certification in geriatric nursing. Learning how to become a geriatric nurse begins by answering a central question: What is a geriatric nurse?
A geriatric registered nurse (RN) specializes in caring for older adults. Concordia University Texas allows you to take the first step toward this career through its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits, you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as few as 16 months.
As you consider nursing school, explore the responsibilities and skills involved in geriatric nursing, including the role of a geriatric nurse. Then, review the education, licensure, experience, and certification steps.
What Is a Geriatric Nurse?
A geriatric nurse specializes in caring for older adults, typically aged 65 and up. These patients may have complex physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs, along with comorbidities or conditions that occur alongside a primary diagnosis. For example, an older adult may manage diabetes and high blood pressure while recovering from a heart attack.
Geriatric RNs help older adults maintain their health, independence, and quality of life while managing medical conditions and physical or cognitive limitations.
What Does a Geriatric Nurse Do?
Geriatric nurses assess, treat, and educate older adults as they recover from acute health problems or manage chronic conditions. They may also connect patients with community resources and other healthcare providers, such as mental health counselors.
Common responsibilities include:
- Administer medications and other treatments
- Assess patients
- Document changes in health
- Offer palliative care
- Perform wound care
- Provide patient and family caregiver education
Geriatric RNs must also watch for signs of physical, emotional, or financial elder abuse. Because older adults are particularly vulnerable to abuse, geriatric RNs play an important role in recognizing concerns and advocating for patient safety.
Where Do Geriatric Nurses Work?
Geriatric RNs work in healthcare settings that serve older adults, including hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics. Some geriatric nurses work for home health or hospice agencies.
Where else do nurses work? Explore the possibilities that await you as an RN.
Skills Needed for Success in Geriatric Nursing
Like other nurses, geriatric RNs need clinical and interpersonal skills. Important clinical skills for this specialty include:
- Chronic disease management
- Comprehensive geriatric assessment, including functional and cognitive assessment
- Medication management
- Palliative care
- Patient education
- Patient safety, including fall prevention
Important interpersonal skills for a geriatric RN include:
- Active listening
- Communication skills
- Compassion and empathy
- Interpersonal skills
- Observation
- Patience
- Teamwork
How to Become a Geriatric Nurse
If geriatric nursing aligns with your career goals, follow these steps:
Earn a Nursing Degree
The first step is earning a nursing degree, such as a BSN. Students with little or no college education may enroll in a traditional four-year BSN program, while those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or college credits may be eligible for an accelerated BSN program.
Accelerated programs offer the same quality of education as traditional programs. Because it builds on students’ prior education, the curriculum can focus primarily on nursing, allowing students to graduate faster. In Concordia Texas’s ABSN track, students can earn a BSN in as few as 16 months after completing prerequisites.
Regardless of your chosen program, the curriculum will combine nursing coursework with hands-on learning. At Concordia University Texas, the ABSN track curriculum includes:
- Online nursing theory coursework that lays the foundation for labs and clinicals
- In-person skills labs that allow students to safely learn clinical skills, such as nasogastric tube insertion
- In-person nursing simulation labs that allow students to exercise critical thinking skills during simulated clinical scenarios
- Hands-on clinical rotations that allow students to provide real-world patient care under supervision at local healthcare facilities
Pass the NCLEX-RN Examination
After earning your BSN, you must pass the NCLEX-RN to qualify for RN licensure. Allow ample time to prepare for the NCLEX-RN. Many students begin reviewing exam content during the first semester of nursing school. Once you pass, you can obtain a nursing license through your state’s board of nursing.
Gain Experience Caring for Older Adults
After obtaining your RN license, you can apply to work as a geriatric nurse in hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, home health agencies, and more. Requirements vary by employer, and some home health positions may require prior bedside nursing experience.
Pursue Geriatric Nursing Certification
After gaining experience caring for older adults, you can strengthen your qualifications through professional certification. One option is the Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which requires at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in geriatric nursing.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Geriatric Nurse?
The timeline depends largely on the nursing program you choose. A traditional BSN program generally takes four years to complete, while an accelerated program, such as Concordia Texas’s ABSN track, can be completed in under two years.
Your timeline must also account for the licensure process, including preparing for and passing the NCLEX-RN. The time required varies, and retaking the exam can extend the process. In 2025, Concordia University Texas’s BSN graduates achieved a 97.83% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, compared with the state average of 88.63%.
Follow these steps to apply to nursing school.
Geriatric Nurse Salary and Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs earned a median annual salary of $93,600 in May 2024. The BLS also projects a 5% employment growth from 2024 to 2034. Because these figures apply to all RNs rather than geriatric nurses specifically, salaries and opportunities in geriatric nursing may vary by employer, location, experience, and other factors.
Why Geriatric Nursing Is a Rewarding Career
Nurses choose gerontological nursing for many reasons, including a desire to help older adults maintain their quality of life while managing significant health challenges. Working as a geriatric nurse can also allow you to build long-term relationships with patients.
Older adults may face complex health concerns, including chronic diseases and an increased risk of acute events such as stroke and heart attack. Caring for patients with varied needs can provide geriatric RNs with intellectually engaging work and diverse responsibilities.
How Concordia University Texas’s ABSN Prepares Future Geriatric Nurses
Concordia University Texas can help you build a foundation in nursing theory and clinical skills. The ABSN track combines didactic coursework with immersive clinical learning experiences designed to prepare students for nursing practice.
During your clinical placements, you will explore specialties related to your career goals, such as adult health and long-term care. These experiences will help you develop nursing skills and clarify your career interests.
Start Your Journey Toward a Career in Geriatric Nursing
Concordia University Texas is a faith-based university that offers an accelerated path into nursing through its ABSN track. After completing any needed prerequisites, you can earn your BSN in as few as 16 months.
The Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth ABSN locations each offer three start dates per year. Request info today and connect with an admissions counselor to learn more about the admissions process.