Gerontological Nursing Content in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs: Comparison of Findings From 1997 and 2003
In 2003, the John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing (Hartford Institute), in collaboration with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, conducted a survey of baccalaureate schools of nursing in the United States to compare gerontological content to baseline data collected by the Hartford Institute in 1997. Since last surveyed in 1997, baccalaureate nursing programs have been the recipients of substantial new resources and initiatives focused on gerontological curriculum enhancement. While these initiatives are ongoing, and some are in an early stage of development, resurveying baccalaureate programs was seen as a means of taking a midcourse “pulse” as to the effectiveness of these efforts. Data suggest that there has been a fundamental shift in baccalaureate curriculum toward incorporation of a greater amount of gerontological content, integration of gerontological content in a greater number of nursing courses, and more diversity of clinical sites used for gerontological clinical experiences. As baccalaureate programs increasingly address the need to enhance gerontological nursing curricula, there continues to be an obligation to address the growing shortage of faculty with qualifications in gerontological nursing.
⁎Nursing Education Initiatives Director, John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, College of Nursing at the College of Dentistry, New York University, NY
†Director, John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing and Independence Foundation Professor, College of Nursing at the College of Dentistry, New York University, NY
‡Doctoral Student, College of Nursing at the College of Dentistry, New York University, NY
§Co-Director, John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, Erline Perkins McGriff Professor and Dean, College of Nursing at the College of Dentistry, New York University, NY
‖Director of Education Policy, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Washington, DC
¶Director of Gerontology Projects, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Washington, DC
#Senior Research Associate, Office of Special Populations, The New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Ms. Berman: Nursing Education Initiatives Director, Division of Nursing, The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University, 246 Greene Street, New York, New York 10003-6677.
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