ABSTRACT
There is a significant need to improve the amount and quality of gerontological nursing content in pre-licensure nursing programs in the United States.The National League for Nursing's Advancing Care Excellence for Seniors (ACES) project is designed to enhance gerontological nursing content in all pre-licensure nursing programs. Nurse educators can use the ACES framework to engage nursing students in studying the care of older adults through innovative and unique teaching/learning strategies, such as unfolding cases and simulation.The ACES framework, which includes the ACES Essential Knowledge Domains and Nursing Actions, is designed to enhance gerontological nursing content in pre-licensure nursing programs without adding additional content to curricula. Use of the ACES framework in pre-licensure nursing programs will help promote quality care of older adults in a variety of settings.
Subject(s)
Competency-Based Education , Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate/standards , Geriatric Nursing/education , Quality of Health Care , Aged , Geriatric Nursing/standards , Humans , Models, Educational , United States , WorkforceSubject(s)
Curriculum , Geriatric Nursing/education , Teaching Materials , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Audiovisual Aids , Female , Humans , Internet , Male , United StatesABSTRACT
The proportion of older adults in the population is rapidly increasing, and this trend is expected to continue. Because more than half of all new graduates eligible to enter the nursing workforce are prepared in associate degree (AD) programs, it is critical these new nurses are well prepared to care for older adults. This study examined how the care of older adults is currently taught in AD programs. Representatives from 531 AD programs responded to a survey providing information about the structure and content of AD curricula, the clinical sites and instructional resources used, and faculty expertise. Findings highlight opportunities for enhancing geriatric content and experiences in AD curricula through the creation of standards for geriatrics in AD nursing programs, the use of diverse clinical settings, and the creation of strategies that strengthen the focus on the care of older adults in acute care across the curriculum.