title: Effect of an acute care geriatric educational program on fall rates and nurse work satisfaction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A successful faculty-mentored geriatric nurse education program resulted from an acute care-academic partnership.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study educated nurses in best geriatric nursing practices to enhance effective management of common geriatric problems as well as to improve nurse work satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-seven nurses completed an online course in geriatric best practices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pre- and posttest comparisons showed a declining trend in the incidence of falls and improved satisfaction with autonomy, task requirements, and nurse-to-nurse interaction among participants. Units in which two or more participants achieved national certification had significantly lower fall rates 3 months after program completion. Participants who attained national certification also had significantly improved satisfaction with professional status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This partnership represents a replicable model that facilitated the advancement of evidence-based practice and enhanced nurses' knowledge of best practices in caring for older adults. Early evidence shows that these successes may improve patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT 06824, USA.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerard
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lovanio
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fausty
authors.forename: Susie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rychlewicz
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D011361:Professional Competence