The Ins and Outs of Being a Gero Nurse

What It Means to Be a Gerontological Nurse

With excerpts from Gerontological Nurse Certification Review, Second Edition, by Alison E. Kris, RN, PhD

Thinking about becoming a Gero nurse? Nursing is a diverse profession, with certifications that span clinical, managerial, and educational specialties. But is gerontological nursing the right path for you? Let’s take a closer look at what it means to be a Gerontological Nurse.

Gerontological Nurse: What Does It Mean?

After becoming a licensed RN, nurses interested in caring for older adults can pursue the Gerontological Nursing board certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Meeting eligibility requirements and passing this competency-based exam awards you the credential RN-BC.

What Does a Gerontological Nurse Do?

Gerontological nurses specialize in meeting the unique physiological and psychosocial needs of older adults. Their role includes:

• Conducting comprehensive nursing assessments

• Ordering and interpreting lab work

• Managing pain effectively

• Creating individualized, patient-centered care plans

You’ll work not only with elderly patients, but also their families and communities, supporting healthy aging, maximum function, and the best quality of life possible.

Common practice settings: acute care facilities, long-term care settings, primary care offices, and home care.

What Type of Person Thrives in Gerontological Nursing?

Working with older adults requires a special blend of compassion, patience, and resilience. Frailty is often a factor, and recovery may be slower compared to younger patients. Nurses in this field must be prepared to:

• Provide care for patients with dementia, depression, or other altered mental states

• Communicate clearly and compassionately with patients and families

• Handle end-of-life care gracefully and with empathy

This is a role for nurses who can balance clinical expertise with emotional strength.

How Do I Become a Gerontological Nurse?

To qualify for board certification (RN-BC) through the ANCC, you must:

• Hold an active RN license

• Have practiced full-time as an RN for at least two years (or equivalent)

• Complete a minimum of 2,000 clinical practice hours in gerontology within the past three years

• Document 30 hours of continuing education in gerontology within the past three years

Once you meet these requirements, you must pass the computer-based certification exam. Certification must be renewed every five years.

Preparing for the Exam

Start with a free practice quiz. For in-depth study support, explore these exam prep tools:

• Gerontological Nurse Certification Review, Second Edition

• Gerontological Nurse Certification Review App

Both feature 500 practice questions to help you build confidence and prepare effectively.

Resources

• Becoming a Geriatric Nurse. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://everynurse.org/becoming-a-geriatric-nurse/

• Kris, A. E. (2015). Gerontological Nurse Certification Review, Second Edition. New York: Springer Publishing.

• Mental Health of Older Adults. (December 12, 2017). Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-of-older-adults

👉 Learn more in our Gerontological Nurse Certification Overview.