Two members of South University’s nursing faculty were awarded stipends through the Geriatric Nursing Education Consortium (GNEC) Faculty Development Grant to attend one of six regional training institutes titled Preparing Nursing Students to Care for Older Adults: Enhancing Gerontology in Senior-level Undergraduate Courses. Sheila Marks, DNS, and George Byron Smith ARNP, GNP-BC, MSN, both faculty members from the College of Nursing at South University, attended the three-day institute in Philadelphia, Penn., to learn about resources that facilitate the integration of gerontology into current nursing program curricula.
“The Institute provided a really good balance of content and methodology,” said Sheila Marks. “The most impressive take away for me was the potential that we have to make a change that will directly impact the quality of nursing care for our aging population.”
Nursing programs at the baccalaureate level are demanding programs of study with significant time commitments for students to complete both the didactic and clinical requirements. Adding more coursework in geriatrics is not a viable option, and therefore the effective integration of the principles of geriatric care into existing coursework has the most opportunity for effectively preparing nursing students to meet the needs of the patient population that they will face.
"Participating in the GNEC Institute was an excellent experience in which I was able to network with faculty from across the nation who share my interest in ensuring the elderly receive the highest quality of care,” said George Smith. “We came away with ideas that will enhance gerontology content in the nursing curriculum and with teaching resources that will better assist us in preparing our nursing students to meet the demands of the fastest growing population in Florida—and throughout the country— those adults over the age of 65."
“Only 143 professionals were selected to attend the GNEC Institute, and South University had the distinction of having two of its nursing faculty participate,” said Rose Kearney-Nunnery, RN, Ph.D., dean of the College of Nursing. “Evaluating what the patient population will look like ten to fifteen years from now is where nurse educators need to focus, and I support the AACN’s efforts to help educators integrate gerontology into today’s nursing programs.”
About the Nursing Program
In the nursing laboratory, classroom and clinical experiences, students first must master the fundamentals of nursing and complete the basic medical-surgical courses. Building upon those skills, the students complete specialty courses such as obstetrics, pediatrics and critical care.
The final quarter of the program prepares students for their transition to the nursing profession. Students practice leadership and management skills by choosing a clinical placement in an area of interest from one of a many healthcare facilities available in the local community. During this time, students work with a registered nurse preceptor on a one-to-one basis to prepare for entry into practice and complete comprehensive testing to assure competency and safe practice.
About South University
Established in 1899, South University is a private academic institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the intellectual, social and professional development of a diverse student population. South University offers educational programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels with campuses located in Columbia, S.C.; Montgomery, Ala.; Richmond, Va., Savannah, Ga.; Tampa and West Palm Beach, Fla.
Further information on South University is available at: www.southuniversity.edu.