How to Become a Geriatric Nurse in Florida
Did you know that a record 4.1 million Americans turned 65 in 2024? This marks the most important surge in U.S. history.
The aging trend reshapes healthcare needs throughout the country, especially in Florida. Americans over 65 made up 17.3% of the U.S. population in 2022, and experts project this number to reach 22% by 2040. So, qualified geriatric nurses are in high demand, which makes this specialty both meaningful and financially rewarding. The numbers tell an impressive story – geriatric nurses earn an average of $45.42 per hour or about $94,480 annually according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median salary stands at $78,836 per year.
You might wonder about becoming a geriatric nurse in Florida. This complete guide walks you through each step of the process. We’ve outlined everything from education requirements to certification options that you need to launch a successful career caring for the elderly in the Sunshine State.
Step 1: Understand the Role of a Geriatric Nurse
A career in geriatric nursing starts with a clear understanding of this specialized role. Geriatric nurses focus on older adults’ health by addressing their unique aging needs, from chronic condition management to cognitive health support.
What does a geriatric nurse do?
Geriatric nurses, also called gerontological nurses, work alongside doctors and healthcare professionals to support elderly patients’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. These nurses help older adults stay independent and maintain their quality of life.
The daily responsibilities of geriatric nurses include:
- Creating and implementing treatment plans with physicians
- Giving medications and watching their effects
- Teaching patients and caregivers about age-related conditions
- Treating common chronic conditions in elderly patients
- Looking out for signs of elder abuse
- Helping with daily activities like hygiene, toileting, and medication management
These nurses check vital signs, work with healthcare teams, and provide patients with information about their conditions. They need specialized knowledge and skills to handle older adults’ complex healthcare needs.
Common conditions treated in elderly patients
Older adults face higher risks of chronic health conditions. Research shows that 93% of adults aged 65 and older have at least one chronic condition, while 79% have two or more. Geriatric nurses regularly handle:
- Hypertension (affects 61% of older adults)
- Arthritis (affects 51% of older adults)
- High cholesterol (affects 55% of older adults)
- Heart disease (affects 16% of older adults)
- Diabetes (affects 24% of older adults)
- Depression (affects 15% of older adults)
- Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia
- Osteoporosis
- COPD (affects 12% of older adults 65+)
Geriatric nurses also help with “geriatric syndromes” including frailty, urinary incontinence, falls, delirium, and pressure ulcers. They understand how these conditions affect each other, since most elderly patients deal with multiple health issues at once.
The emotional and social aspects of geriatric nursing play a vital role alongside physical care. Emotional support improves older adults’ health perception and psychological well-being. Patients without emotional support face higher risks of loneliness, anxiety, poor quality of life, and early death.
These nurses develop strong emotional intelligence to spot subtle signs of discomfort through voice changes and facial expressions. This skill matters because patients don’t always express emotions through words, and physical symptoms can hide psychological issues.
Social isolation affects about 1 in 4 community-dwelling older adults in the United States. Geriatric nurses often become key social connections, especially for patients who live alone or have limited family support. They balance their patients’ needs with family members’ requests, which sometimes conflict.
A career in geriatric nursing needs medical expertise combined with compassion, patience, and strong communication skills. Understanding these emotional and social aspects prepares nurses for their challenging yet rewarding role.
Step 2: Choose the Right Nursing Degree Path
Your journey to becoming a geriatric nurse starts with picking the right nursing education program. This choice will affect your career path, how much you can earn, and when you can start working. Let’s get into the main educational paths you can take in Florida.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
ADN programs give you the quickest way to become a registered nurse – you’ll need just 2-3 years. Community colleges offer these programs that focus on building essential clinical skills and practical nursing knowledge. Students learn nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, and psychiatric nursing.
ADN programs are budget-friendly options that cost between $6,000 and $40,000. Once you complete your ADN, you can take the NCLEX-RN exam. ADN graduates showed an 86.53% pass rate in 2020.
Nurses with an ADN earn about $75,000 yearly. But these days, many employers want nurses to have BSN degrees for most positions.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
A BSN takes four years at a college or university and gives you detailed education. BSN programs teach more than clinical skills – you’ll study nursing theory, public health, nursing ethics, pathophysiology, and microbiology.
A BSN costs between $40,000 and over $200,000, depending on where you study. This bigger upfront cost pays off with better career options and higher earnings – BSN nurses make around $92,000 yearly. Over 30 years, this is a big deal as it means that the difference can be more than half a million dollars.
BSN graduates do better on the NCLEX-RN exam, scoring a 92.83% first-attempt pass rate compared to ADN’s 86.53%. A BSN also lets you pursue advanced practice roles through graduate programs later in your career.
Accelerated and bridge programs in Florida
Florida has several quick paths to nursing credentials:
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs: These intensive programs are great if you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field. You can finish in 12-18 months. The University of Florida-Online, Jacksonville University, and the University of Central Florida offer ABSN programs.
Licensed practical nurses can use bridge programs that value their previous education and experience. Santa Fe College runs a 14-month LPN-to-RN Bridge Program, while St. Petersburg College offers day and evening LPN-RN Bridge tracks.
These faster options help address Florida’s nursing shortage. They quickly bring qualified people into healthcare while keeping high educational standards for patient care.
After graduating from any program, you must pass the NCLEX-RN examination and get your Florida RN license before working as a geriatric nurse in the state.
Step 3: Get Licensed as a Registered Nurse in Florida
Your next significant milestone after completing nursing education is getting your RN license in Florida to become a geriatric nurse. The process has multiple steps that need careful attention to avoid career delays.
Pass the NCLEX-RN exam
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) evaluates your knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective nursing care. You’ll need to register with Pearson VUE, the official testing vendor, and pay the $200 examination fee.
The NCLEX-RN uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) that:
- Adjusts question difficulty based on your performance
- Requires a minimum of 85 questions (maximum 150)
- Has a five-hour time limit
- Has 15 unscored pretest items
Your license will be issued within 7-10 days after passing the exam. You should practice with NCLEX-style questions that simulate geriatric care clinical scenarios.
Apply for Florida RN licensure
The Florida Board of Nursing accepts applications online or by mail to get your nursing license. You’ll need to:
- Show proof of graduation from an approved nursing program
- Submit your completed application with fees
- Register for the NCLEX-RN examination
- Wait for your eligibility letter with scheduling instructions
The Board accepts graduates from Florida-approved programs, ACEN or CCNE accredited programs, and military nursing education programs with an NCLEX code from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Background checks and fingerprinting
Background screening is a vital part of the licensing process. Starting July 1, 2025, Florida’s healthcare practitioners must meet new background screening requirements for their original license. The requirements include:
- Electronic fingerprinting through Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) approved Livescan provider
- A Level 2 fingerprint-based background check
- Criminal history records check by FDLE and FBI
- Photo taken during fingerprinting
You must bring two forms of ID to the Livescan provider. One ID should have your picture and signature. The correct Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number ensures your results reach the Florida Board of Nursing.
Results usually come within 24-72 hours. Your fingerprints stay in the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse for five years. A $43.25 renewal fee keeps them active.
The licensing timeline ranges from 5-7 days to 30 days based on several factors. Early planning helps you move smoothly into your geriatric nursing career.
Step 4: Gain Experience and Consider Certification
Your Florida RN license opens doors to practical experience in geriatric settings. This hands-on experience helps you develop specialized skills needed for older patients. Becoming a skilled geriatric nurse requires both practical experience and formal recognition of your expertise.
Work in geriatric care settings
Healthcare environments serving older adults offer great opportunities to build relevant experience. Geriatric nurses work in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, senior centers, retirement communities, and home healthcare settings. Critical care experience proves valuable because it prepares you to manage complex conditions, artificial ventilation, and severe disease processes that elderly patients often face.
Geriatric nurses in hospitals work together with treatment teams in departments that serve many older patients:
- Outpatient surgery
- Cardiology
- Rehabilitation
- Ophthalmology
- Geriatric mental health
Your role in rehabilitation and long-term care facilities involves managing patient care from the original assessment through development, implementation, and evaluation of detailed care plans. Your expertise might lead you to administrative, training, or leadership positions.
Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC)
The Gerontological Nursing Certification (GERO-BC) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) substantially improves your credentials. This certification confirms your specialized knowledge and skills in geriatric care.
The GERO-BC examination requires you to:
- Hold an active RN license
- Work as an RN for at least 2 years
- Complete 2,000 hours of clinical practice in gerontological nursing in the last 3 years
- Complete 30 hours of continuing education in gerontology in the last 3 years
Examination costs range from $295-$395 based on your membership status. The test includes 150 questions about assessment, planning/implementation, and professional foundations.
Continuing education requirements
You retain your geriatric nursing credentials through ongoing education. GERO-BC renewal every 5 years requires you to:
- Complete 75 continuing education hours in gerontological nursing
- Meet one professional development requirement from eight available options
- Keep an active RN license
Florida’s continuing education resources for geriatric care are accessible to more people. The Florida State University REACH Program offers free training on dementia care, and many online courses provide geriatric nursing CEUs. The Alzheimer’s Association also offers continuing education on dementia with free CEU options.
Your dedication to geriatric practice and professional certification helps you develop expertise needed to care for Florida’s growing elderly population.
Step 5: Explore Career Opportunities and Salary Potential
Florida’s status as a top retirement destination creates plenty of career options for geriatric nurses across the state. Your specialized skills are just what healthcare facilities need as you start this rewarding career path.
Where geriatric nurses work in Florida
Florida’s large senior population means geriatric nurses can find jobs in a variety of settings. Here are some places you’ll find work:
- Long-term care facilities and nursing homes
- Assisted living centers
- Senior-focused outpatient clinics
- Hospice care centers
- Home health agencies
- Retirement communities
- Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare facilities
How much does a geriatric nurse make?
Geriatric nurse salaries in Florida range from $66,000 to $95,000 annually based on location, experience, and specialty. The median salary reaches $72,637 per year ($34.00 hourly).
Here’s what nurses make in different Florida cities:
- Miami: $71,881 annually
- Gainesville: $71,649 annually
- Tampa: $71,068 annually
Job outlook and demand in Florida
The job market for geriatric nurses in Florida looks bright. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% increase in all RN roles through 2033, but this number doesn’t tell the whole story for geriatric specialists.
Florida’s nursing shortage is real. The Florida Center for Nursing expects staffing levels to drop by 2025. About 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day, and many choose Florida as their new home. At the same time, 40% of current nurses come from the baby boomer generation and plan to retire within the next decade.
These trends join together to create perfect conditions for aspiring geriatric nurses in Florida. You’ll find job security and growth opportunities for years to come.
Begin Your Educational Journey Today
Becoming a geriatric nurse in Florida will give you both professional fulfillment and financial stability. This piece has shown you everything you need to know—from getting the right nursing education to earning your specialized certification.
Florida’s faster-growing aging population creates new chances for healthcare professionals who want to work in elderly care. So, your choice to pursue geriatric nursing lines up perfectly with the state’s growing healthcare needs. The salary range of $66,000 to $95,000 annually makes this career financially rewarding, and the projected growth will give you long-term job security.
Money isn’t everything—geriatric nursing lets you make a real difference in patients’ lives during their most vulnerable years. You’ll use your specialized knowledge of conditions like hypertension, arthritis, and dementia to give detailed care to elderly patients.
Note that a BSN might give you better long-term career advantages, even though an ADN gets you into nursing faster. On top of that, GERO-BC certification will improve your credentials and make you more marketable in specialized geriatric care settings.
Right now, 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day and many move to Florida. This creates perfect timing for aspiring geriatric nurses. You’ll find your skills in high demand in many healthcare settings, from hospitals and nursing homes to retirement communities and home health agencies.
The trip to becoming a geriatric nurse takes dedication, compassion, and specialized training. Notwithstanding that, the rewards—both personal and professional—make this career path worth pursuing. Your work in elderly care will help solve Florida’s critical healthcare needs while giving you a stable, meaningful career for years to come.