Nurse, geriatric care salary

Salary for Nurses in Elderly Care

Working as a nurse in elderly care, or geriatric nursing as it is also called, is a profession that requires great empathy and competence. Currently, the average salary for this profession is 42 700 kronor per month. It is interesting to note that on average, men earn slightly more, with a monthly salary of 43 600 kronor, while women earn 42 600 kronor. This means that women earn approximately 98% of what men earn in this profession. Hourly employees in this profession have an average hourly wage of 257 kronor, based on 166 hours worked per month.

Salary Development and Disparities

Over the past year, the average salary for nurses in elderly care has increased from 41 100 to 42 700 kronor, indicating a positive salary development. The highest salary in the profession is 47900 kronor and belongs to a woman working in the municipal sector with a post-secondary education shorter than three years. For men, the highest salary is 46500 kronor. On the lower end of the salary spectrum, we find a woman earning 42100 kronor, working as a private employee with a post-secondary education of three years or more. For men, the lowest salary is 43200 kronor.

Job Duties and Work Environment

As a nurse in elderly care, you specialize in caring for elderly patients. Duties include assessing patients' health conditions, administering medications, and planning care interventions in consultation with doctors and other healthcare professionals. Working with older individuals involves a lot of emotional work, as you often become an important part of patients' daily lives and well-being.

Benefits and Working Conditions

Benefits in this profession may vary depending on the employer. Generally, there may be opportunities for paid training to further develop competence, as well as access to work attire and tools. However, working from home is less common in this profession, as it involves direct patient contact and presence at the workplace.

Education and Opportunities

To become a nurse in elderly care, a nursing degree is required, which entails a three-year university education. After the basic education, you can choose to specialize in geriatrics through further studies. Having a specialization can increase opportunities for higher pay and more advanced job duties.

Future Outlook and Job Market

According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, the demand for geriatric nurses is expected to increase over a five-year period, partly due to an aging population. The opportunities for employment are assessed as moderate, and the recruitment situation is described as balanced, meaning that the number of available jobs roughly corresponds to the number of job seekers.

Considerations for Future Nurses in Elderly Care

For those considering a career as a nurse in elderly care, it is important to be prepared for both the emotional and physical demands of the profession. Empathy, patience, and the ability to communicate effectively with older individuals are crucial qualities. It is also worth emphasizing the importance of constantly updating one's knowledge and skills through further education and specialization.

In conclusion, the nursing profession in elderly care is both challenging and rewarding. It offers a stable salary development and good future prospects, especially as the need for care for the elderly increases.