Q: Dear Donna,
I have eight years of experience on the postpartum floor of a women's and children's hospital and am looking to relocate to be closer to my children. I love what I do but feel a change would be good. I really love the older population. I do some home nursing and each and every time I see a patient I am reminded why I do home nursing. They deserve good care. Do you have suggestions on what type of job I could transition into as I relocate that could allow me to work with the elderly population while not necessarily being in a nursing home?
Likes to Work with the Elderly
A: Dear Likes to Work with the Elderly,
Gerontology is a growing specialty in nursing. I suggest that you look into adult day service facilities, assisted living - very different from nursing home care - and even independent living facilities. Many retirement communities have a health clinic onsite.
You might also consider becoming a geriatric care manager. This is different than home care nursing and is a hot trend. Learn more about the specialty from the Aging Life Care Association.
I also suggest that you start networking with members of the National Gerontological Nurses Society. Find out if they have local meetings or events in your area and attend. Also do some informational interviewing with members and officers to learn more about local opportunities. Read my article, "The scoop on informational interviewing," for tips on how to conduct an informational interview.
Best wishes,
Donna
