School of Nursing adding to geriatric nursing curriculum

School of Nursing adding to geriatric nursing curriculum

ANN ARBOR—University of Michigan School of Nursing is modifying existing classes, adding a new concentration and offering fellowships and internships as it boosts research and education of nurses in the treatment of frail geriatric patients.

“People over the age of 85, many of whom are frail, are the fastest growing segment of our society. That fact, combined with the critical nursing shortage, creates a need for greater emphasis on geriatrics in our nursing schools,” said Donna Algase, professor of nursing and a faculty associate at the U-M Institute of Gerontology. Algase is leading the school’s efforts in geriatric nursing.

Among the initiatives in geriatrics under way at the School of Nursing are:

 Adding a new master’s level concentration in gero-psychiatric nursing. Nursing students already learn about patient mental health, and this will build on that core by giving additional training on the concerns of older people. For example, it will look at what happens to people with a history of mental illness as they age, as well as the new mental health concerns that emerge as we get older, such as dementia and depression. U-M will launch the new concentration this fall.

 Expanding geriatric content and clinical learning opportunities in the undergraduate program. As part of a review now taking place, some existing classes will gain new activities or materials, and students will get additional options for project choices. Algase noted that faculty will get funding to buy new materials to support the move.

 Establishing the Lead, Link and Learn program to link research and policy by connecting health care professionals, consumers and policy makers on the issues associated with aging. The program will include workshops with the various groups, as well as internships for students working on aging policy. Some activities already are taking place in this initiative, while the internships will begin this fall.

 Adding a jumpstart program for undergraduates interested in pursuing a master’s degree in geriatric nursing. These students will complete specified projects for which they will earn credits toward the U-M master’s program.

 Offering a host of new scholarships for students pursuing gerontological or geriatric nursing.

 Collaborating with New York University, a leader in geriatric nursing education, on activities and policy initiatives.

In addition to $400,000 received from the Department of Health and Human Services last year to establish a concentration in frail elders, American Association of Colleges of Nursing is providing $280,000 in additional support for geriatric nursing initiatives, and the American Academy of Nursing is giving $225,000 to the School of Nursing. Both the AACN and AAN have received support from the John A. Hartford Foundation, which has a longstanding interest in geriatrics and geriatric medicine.

U-M School of Nursing launched a concentration in treating the frail elderly in 2001, under Algase’s direction, to complement existing nurse practitioner programs. For details on the frail elderly concentration: http://www.umich.edu/~newsinfo/Releases/2001/Sep01/r092501a.html

For more on Algase, whose research examines the behavior of dementia patients:http://www.nursing.umich.edu/faculty/algase_donna.html

To learn about the U-M School of Nursing:http://www.nursing.umich.edu/