The Post Basic Diploma in Geriatric Nursing (also known as Geriatric Specialty Nursing) is a 1-year specialized, full-time clinical residency program designed for registered nurses who want to advance their expertise in the comprehensive care, treatment, and rehabilitation of older adults.
Course Overview
- Duration: 1 academic year (12 months), utilizing a residency-based framework that integrates advanced theoretical learning with specialized clinical hours.
- Objective: Train nursing professionals to manage age-related illnesses, enhance the quality of life for the elderly, support healthy aging, and handle complex multi-morbidities in geriatric patients.
- Governing Body: Approved and regulated by the Indian Nursing Council (INC) and recognized by respective State Nursing Registration Councils (SNRC).
Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification: Passed General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM), B.Sc. Nursing, or Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing from an INC-recognized institution.
- Professional Registration: Must hold a valid, active registration as a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife (RN/RM) with a State Nursing Council.
- Work Experience: Minimum of 1 year of clinical experience as a staff nurse, preferably completed after graduation.
- Fitness: Certified as medically and physically fit.
Curriculum & Training
- Core Subjects: Geriatric physiology and anatomy, psychogeriatrics (dementia, depression, delirium), management of chronic age-related disorders, pharmacology in elderly patients, palliative and end-of-life care, and clinical leadership.
- Clinical Postings: Intensive practical exposure across Geriatric Wards, Intensive Care Units (ICUs), Palliative Care Facilities, Memory Clinics, Long-term Care Facilities, and community healthcare outreach modules.
Career Scope & Job Roles
- Top Job Roles: Geriatric Nurse Specialist, Geriatric ICU Nurse, Assisted Living Home Coordinator, Palliative Care Nurse, Home Health Nurse Manager, and Nurse Educator.
- Average Salary Range: ₹3.2 LPA to ₹8.5 LPA, depending on the specialization tier, the nature of the facility, and regional market trends.
- Major Recruiters: Premier institutions like the College of Nursing, CMC Vellore, specialised corporate hospitals ,senior living and assisted residential communities, home healthcare networks, and public medical colleges.