title: Effect of a geriatric nurse education program on the knowledge, attitudes, and certification of hospital nurses.
abstract: Although nurses are the primary care providers for hospitalized and vulnerable older adults living in the community, they are generally not prepared in geriatric care. This study examined the effect of a 21-hour nursing education program on nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding care of older adults and the geriatric nursing certification of the participants. The program was offered to 92 nurses in three cohorts over a 1-year period. Participants completed pre- and posttest measures of geriatric knowledge and attitudes. Significant differences were found between pretest and posttest knowledge and attitudes. Program evaluation and success in achieving certification in gerontological nursing also indicated a positive effect of the program.
authors.affiliation: Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT 06810, USA. moreen.donahue@danhosp.org
authors.forename: Moreen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donahue
authors.forename: Meredith Wallace
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Kazer
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Joyce J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002568:Certification / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration