As a geriatric nurse, you can expect that your job will almost completely revolve around the physical and mental care of elderly patients. You will be required to support the care efforts of physicians, and often provide care directly to patients. Your work will often take place in a long term care facility, hospital, hospice, assisted living center, community health centers, or even private homes of patients.

Geriatric nursing requires a lot of work with physicians, and a good deal of your job will be in a support role to the physicians that serve your patients. One of the ways you will provide support to physicians is through assistance with examinations. Additionally, you will frequently be required to carry out treatments, including administering prescribed drugs and other remedies. You will also be responsible for preparing patients for treatments and setting up equipment. You will be expected to maintain an organized, updated chart for patients in your care so that physicians will have an accurate record on which to base their recommendations for care.

Much of your job as a geriatric nurse will also involve progress reporting. You can expect to spend a good deal of your day preparing reports on patient conditions, behaviors and reactions. You will also perform routine and prescribed tests to measure respiration, pulse, temperature, blood pressure, and other indicators of health. Doing so will help diagnose diseases and ailments, as well as monitor the progress of existing conditions affecting your patients.

The remaining duties of a geriatric nurse fall under mental health and more general care. You may find yourself required to change sheets, feed patients, and bathe them. Additionally, your job may include interpersonal communication with the patient as well as the patient’s family for moral support and decision making.