What does a geriatric nurse do?
A geriatric (or gerontological) nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in caring for older adults, managing chronic conditions, medications, falls, dementia and the transitions between hospital, home and long-term care.
Where they work
Nursing homes, assisted living, rehabilitation units, hospital units for older patients, home health and primary care clinics. Long-term care is among the largest employers.
Training
Start with an RN license. The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers gerontological nursing certification for nurses with experience. A nurse who wants to diagnose and prescribe can become an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner through a graduate program, see nurse practitioner.
Why it matters
Demand follows the population. The BLS projects 5.6% growth for registered nurses from 2025 to 2035, with about 180,800 openings a year, and an aging population is part of that. Median RN pay was $97,550 in May 2025.
Pay and projections: Bureau of Labor Statistics. NCLEX figures: NCSBN. Enrollment: AACN. Sources and years are ondata sources.