America’s growing population of aging baby boomers means that as a nurse, you are likely to utilize some areas of health care knowledge more than others. The estimated 80 plus million aging baby boomers and older patients in general (65 years and older) face a targeted set of health problems unique to their age and heath history. A smart nursing student will anticipate the health care needs of this growing patient demographic and prepare to meet those needs as a nurse.

Medical research is finding that today’s baby boomers are sicker than the aging populations of the past (American Heart Association). This is a demographic of patients that will require intensive nursing care. Here are some specific specialty areas where baby boomers may require the most nursing care and expertise. The common denominator of this checklist appears to be abundance. Unlike their parents who survived the rations of depression and war, baby boomers have not wanted for anything, including an abundance of less than healthy foods.

Heart Attacks/Heart Disease: According to the CDC, more aging baby boomers are being hospitalized for heart attacks than patients the same age from previous generations. In fact, it is predicted that more baby boomers will face heart disease and its complications than any other condition by far. This means that more and more nurses will be needed who specialize in cardiac telemetry, who are trained to assist in cardiac procedures (such as in catheterization and angioplasty) and cardiology in general.

Diabetes: This has always been a major focus of nursing studies, particularly with its broad spectrum of multi-system complications, affecting everything from failing eyes to amputated toes. The same lifestyle factors that are causing the increase in heart disease are causing the same increase in the prevalence of diabetes in baby boomers.

Problems related to obesity: Speaking of those lifestyle factors, let’s not forget about the additional set of health problems resulting from obesity such as digestive system cancers, high blood pressure and stroke.  These are all excellent specialty areas for future nurses to focus their attention on.

Problems related to lack of health care coverage: Medical technology and the success rates of treatments are evolving in leaps and bounds. But what’s the point of all this progress if people don’t have access to health care? Lack of health care coverage, hospitals cutting back costs and the nursing shortage will inevitably be significant factors in caring for the aging baby boomers. Future nurses are likely to see an increase in advanced stages of preventable diseases, simply because people do not have access (or are not taking advantage of for financial reasons) to preventative health care. For these reasons, a foundation of solid patient teaching skills and public health knowledge is essential for today’s nursing students.

Their parents survived the great depression and world war. However the biggest challenge for baby boomers is not external at all, but rather their own bodies betraying them. Nursing students will be on the front lines of handling this and must start preparing now.