Geriatric means relating to older people, but this position can be a fun one. You hear all kinds of stories from older people, and your knowledge of the past is amplified. Plus, older people can be easy to take care of; just be their friend.
To become a geriatric nursing assistant, you must give care to elderly patients by helping them get dressed, bathed, and fed. You will need to be strong, so you can move and reposition patients to keep them comfortable. You will also need knowledge on how to take temperatures, pulse rates, and blood pressure. The best skills you can have are patience, caring, friendliness, and being helpful.
A high school diploma or GED is required for this position, and depending on where you work - hospital, nursing home, or long-term care facility - it will determine the training you need for this position. The job growth for geriatric nursing assistants is growing by almost 8% from previous years, and you can expect to make about $30,000 a year.