ABSTRACT
Despite the increase of the older adult population, there exists a shortage of health care professionals trained to help this population remain independent as long as possible. Ageism, common among younger adults, affects the capacity building of health care for older adults. Research has indicated that increased knowledge about older adults, as well as exposure to the elderly, may alter nursing students' attitudes regarding careers in gerontological nursing. However, questions remain as to what are the most effective ways to provide gerontological content in nursing programs and enhance attitudes toward older adults.With the understanding that younger adults see a need to balance work and play, a baccalaureate nursing program provides examples of ways to accomplish this through integration of courses, simulations, positive images of aging, and learning activities that enhance empathy for both frail and healthy older adults.
Subject(s)
Career Choice , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate , Geriatric Nursing/education , Intergenerational Relations , Prejudice , Aged , Curriculum , Humans , Population Dynamics , United States , WorkforceABSTRACT
Frequently, education is prime when hospital administration is seeking opportunities to reduce the budget. Our hospital region faced that dilemma. This article discusses how our facility used management engineering to determine the number of education hours for each unit, based on specific negotiated criteria developed by a collaborative group, to answer the question "How many staff can one educator represent?"
Subject(s)
Education, Nursing, Continuing/methods , Staff Development/methods , Humans , Job Satisfaction , Models, Educational , Nursing Evaluation Research , Organizational Case Studies , Patient Satisfaction , Program Development/methods , UtahABSTRACT
This article focuses on innovative collaborative steps that were identified in recent research conducted by these authors on the relationship between academia and service. These steps are currently being implemented in the hope of improving the important role that the clinical environment plays in student nurses' education. Few factors in nursing education are as important as the clinical environment in which students do their training. This article elaborates on these steps and offers practical suggestions for improving the relationship between academia and service.
