Outcomes and lessons learned from the John A. Hartford Foundation Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity Initiative Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence

Abstract

This article uses data and conclusions from the independent evaluation of the John A. Hartford Foundation Geriatric Nursing Initiative (HGNI). The purpose of the evaluation was to systematically examine the activities of the John A. Hartford Foundation Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence (HCGNE or Center), their outcomes, and early impact during their first four years of funding. Each of the Centers built strong programs with an emphasis on developing an expanded cadre of future geriatric nursing leaders to expand academic geriatric nursing capacity and ultimately the size and quality of the general workforce in geriatric nursing. In the course of building the five HCGNEs, a national network of geriatric nursing training and research programs evolved. The core of this network was a collaborative group of key geriatric nursing leaders who then developed local and national linkages to several hundred other Schools of Nursing and healthcare facilities. This article describes the key strategies, implementation methods, and policy development tools that have been shared across the network. As the Initiative enters its second five-year period of operation, a number of Inter-Center Initiatives are planned that will combine the strengths of collaborating HCGNEs and key, linked, strategic partners to build further infrastructure in support of an expanded and higher-quality geriatric nursing workforce to provide better care. This article uses data and conclusions from the independent evaluation of the John A. Hartford Foundation Geriatric Nursing Initiative (HGNI). The purpose of the evaluation was to systematically examine the activities of the John A. Hartford Foundation Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence (HCGNE or Center), their outcomes, and early impact during their first four years of funding. Each of the Centers built strong programs with an emphasis on developing an expanded cadre of future geriatric nursing leaders to expand academic geriatric nursing capacity and ultimately the size and quality of the general workforce in geriatric nursing. In the course of building the five HCGNEs, a national network of geriatric nursing training and research programs evolved. The core of this network was a collaborative group of key geriatric nursing leaders who then developed local and national linkages to several hundred other Schools of Nursing and healthcare facilities. This article describes the key strategies, implementation methods, and policy development tools that have been shared across the network. As the Initiative enters its second five-year period of operation, a number of Inter-Center Initiatives are planned that will combine the strengths of collaborating HCGNEs and key, linked, strategic partners to build further infrastructure in support of an expanded and higher-quality geriatric nursing workforce to provide better care. G. J. Huba is the President of The Measurement Group and lead evaluator for the Hartford Geriatric Nursing Initiative, Culver City, CA. Claire M. Fagin is the former Director of the Hartford Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Initiative portion of the Hartford Geriatric Nursing Initiative, New York, NY. Patricia D. Franklin is the Coordinator of the Hartford Building Academic Nursing Initiative, American Academy of Nursing, Washington, DC. Donna I. Regenstreif is an independent consultant in gerontology/geriatrics education, services and philanthropy, Jensen Beach, FL.