Geriatric courses provide graduates with an experience of health and illness in later life, and enable them to become qualified for a career in nursing or, more broadly, health care. Read below to find out more about these courses, the careers they lead to, the outlook for the future, salaries on graduation, and more.
Geriatrics and gerontology are not the same, though there’s some overlap in courses. Gerontology is the study of changes in folk as they age, the consequences of our ageing population on society, and the appliance of this info to policies and programs. Geriatrics is the study of health and illness in the elderly, and the health welfare of care givers to the old.
Geriatric courses are multidisciplinary in nature, and because of this it isn’t unusual to get geriatric training in other professional fields, e.g., psychology, sociology, social work, and medicine. Many universities and colleges offer geriatric courses as a minor, or a specialization in aging, as part of their health-related programs. Online and campus-based aging and geriatrics programs can also supply the management skills needed to control long-term care facilities.
As an interdisciplinary field of study, geriatrics draws on many disciplines. Thus online geriatric courses would include psychology, anatomy, physiology, legal and moral issues of dying, and end of life care. Also included would be: long term care, epidemiology in aging, and the way to determine senior health and social services wishes. Some states need professionals in this field to get geriatrics licensure or certification.
Geriatric courses can be taken in certificates, bachelors, masters and doctoral programs, most frequently as a specialism within other programs. Often it is necessary to include some field experience in the program. In some professions, e.g., social work, counseling, and nursing, continuing education is needed to maintain a license or certificate. To achieve success in a career in geriatrics you also need: an interest in working with older adults, very good communication capabilities, patience, and compassion.
Geriatric program graduates are found in varied settings for geriatric care, including : infirmaries, care facilities, social service agencies, geriatric home facilities, governmental agencies, aging research labs, and community agencies. The roles you qualify for is dependent upon experience and the level of education you have. Therefore, with a master in geriatric you are qualified to become a director, planner, and consultant in geriatrics, e.g, geriatrics nurse. A Doctorate in geriatrics prepares you for a career in geriatric research, teaching, administration, or clinical practice. You are usually able to specialize in such areas as: social geriatrics, biomed geriatrics, or geriatric nursing.
What about future prospects? The United States of Bureau of Work Statistics forecasts that in view of the ageing population, opportunities for geriatrics professionals may keep growing. Your salary level with a geriatrics online degree varies with experience, but is also conditional on whether one is a nurse, a doctor, a geriatric care manager, or other health professional. The salary for a registered nurse is around $52,000 per annum.
Go to the Online and Distance Learning web site where there are more details of geriatric courses. Visit the web site for more information on nursing programs.