how to be a geriatric nurse

Unfortunately this was the scene

Like 30 years ago. And today. 

Folks sitting in wheelchairs 

All around the Nurses Station

Or lining the hallways. 

Waiting for meals. Or Bingo. 

Nursing plods along 

And change is often slow. 

Big changes take a generation. 

We all get old. 

Why is this field so neglected? 

I promise you- most Nurses hate this -

And Nursing Homes are the

 Bane of our existence. 

Slight improvement from the 1950s 

People are living longer. 

(Sometimes) 

With improvements to life. 

(Sometimes)

What have we created? 

Definitely room for improvement. 

Many Nurses will start their career here- 

At a LTC Long Term Care Facility. 

I know I did for sure. 

They pay more than Home Heath. 

So so so many meds. 

In order to be eligible to live 

In a “Nursing Home”

Now referred to as Nursing Care Centers 

Or ReHab.  Or Assisted Living…

To qualify, a person needs to 

have a medical need. Like a diagnosis,

Or multi medications. 

Some need. Nursing always 

addresses a need. Why are we there? 

What are we doing for the patient? 

Group Homes are also nice. 

Usually Private Pay, though. 

Sad fact is that most places are 

Sadly understaffed. 

And regulated to death. 

For example:

I worked in one such place 

That used the wrong fasteners 

For the hand rails- in the hallway. 

The State closed them down

like they had the plague. 

BUT the rails had already been up 

Literally for decades. 

Suddenly they focus on that

Instead of the bigger picture. 

In a standard Skilled Nursing Facility 

Aka Long Term Care Center, 

Each Nurse has a corridor 

Or part of a hallway to cover. 

A Nurse can have up to 30 patients 

In this warehouse of human souls. 

There little time for care. 

This is the Charge Nurse. 

S/he has several CNAs

(Certified Nurse Aide) working. 

They’ll take the vital signs,

Do the bathing, personal care,

[Nurses call this ADLs-

Activities of Daily Living]

And help with meals. 

The Nurse will pass meds,

Usually 2 times a shift. 

Give insulin, oversee care,

And wound care … etc.  

You can probably guess- I’m a fan of 

Reforming the whole system. 

It’s sadly broken. 

Now it’s our turn to take care 

Of our parents. 

They call it a Sandwich. 

You’re smack dab on between

Raising your own kids - and 

“Raising” your parents…

That is, tending to their needs. 

I can’t imagine this life for me. 

Or anyone I love.

But it’s great if you have no other options. 

Some residents have rich fulfilling 

Friendships and receive good care. 

Some fancy LTCs require $100,000

Non Refundable Deposit- 

Just to be on the list. 

$1000 a week is starting cost. 

On the low end. 

Anything for Dad, eh? 

Especially if it’s his money! 

Private pay Nursing will charge 

$1000 a day for 24 hours care. 

That’s not what the nurse gets paid. 

By the way.  Drats. 

This is why we preach prevention. 

Being strong and healthy. 

I’m not rich. But I’m healthy. 

And that’s infinitely better! 

The expectation 

VS the Reality of aging. 

Into this mix of Adult Diapers, 

(It’s a no-no to say diaper. 

We say “Briefs;” Babies wear diapers.)
Chronic illness, loneliness and heartbreak 

God sends His Nurses. 

Most Nurses don’t last long in what

can be truly deplorable conditions. 

I’m ready for reform! 

A new kind of place for mom.