The Next Generation of Geriatric Nurse Specialists

Abstract

H will we educate the next generation of geriatric nurses? New nursing graduates are usually interested in critical care, the emergency department, or other fast-paced, exciting settings. Among the clients in these settings are older adults with not only acute illness or injury, but other underlying comorbidities. Many graduate nurses are unaware of the special knowledge and skills needed to provide care for clients across the life span in emergency and critical care settings. Nurses see geriatric clients everywhere and will need the skills, abilities, and attitudes to effectively care for them. Experience with older adults during undergraduate nursing education provides opportunities to see the possibilities in geriatric care. Nursing students often have experience working in nursing homes, yet they may see little more than the role of the certified nursing assistant. Graduates are unaware of the leadership roles in facilities that provide different levels of care for older adults, and thus innovative ways to mentor undergraduate students must be developed. Faculty members can make connections with local multicare level facilities to provide collaborative experiences for students who have expressed an interest in caring for older adults. Students who indicate an interest in geriatric care can and should be nurtured and supported during their undergraduate years. It is important, especially for baccalaureate graduates, to find a place in geriatric care. Skills in leadership and management, research, and evidence-based practice are critical when working with older adults. Expert clinical skills are needed to identify atypical presentations that may be missed during assessments. Innovative and individualized care planning is required. Current demographics indicate that the number of older adults with chronic illness is increasing rapidly and will require high-quality, cost-effective nursing care. Judicious use of resources for our aging population is essential. Now more than ever, the expertise of nurses to identify best practices for older adults is crucial. This population will need nursing care in primary, secondary, and tertiary care settings, as well as hospice and dementia care. Our college department of nursing was awarded a scholarship to promote an experience in a local retirement community offering all levels of care. Clark Retirement Community offers multiple levels of care and was receptive to having a nursing student intern. The scholarship, called the Whitney Young Gerontological Nursing Scholarship, came from the Whitney Co-author Stephanie Postma smiles with Clark Retirement Community resident Dorothy, whom she befriended during her nursing student internship. Ph ot o co ur te sy o f