title: Facilitated Learning to Advance Geriatrics: Increasing the Capacity of Nurse Faculty to Teach Students About Caring for Older Adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Facilitated Learning to Advance Geriatrics program (FLAG) was designed to increase the numbers of nurse faculty in prelicensure programs with basic knowledge about aging and teaching effectiveness to prepare students to provide safe, high quality care for older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a framework to improve transfer of learning, FLAG was designed to include: (a) a workshop to increase basic knowledge of aging and common geriatric syndromes, and effective use of evidence-based teaching/learning strategies; (b) a year-long mentoring program to support application of workshop learning and leading change in participants' schools to ensure that geriatrics is a priority. Both formative and summative evaluation methods were used, and included self-assessment of objectives, program satisfaction, and teaching self-efficacy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FLAG achieved its overall purpose by enrolling 152 participants from 19 states including 23 faculty from associate degree programs and 102 from baccalaureate programs. Self-rated teaching effectiveness improved significantly from pre- to post-workshop each year. Achievement of learning objectives was rated highly as was satisfaction. Transfer of learning was evidenced by implementation of educational projects in home schools supported by mentoring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FLAG program provided opportunities for nurse educators to learn to teach geriatrics more effectively and to transfer learning to their work environment. Future FLAG programs will be offered in a shortened format, incorporating online content and strategies, adding other health professionals to the audience with the same goal of increasing the knowledge and abilities of educators to prepare learners to provide competent care for older adults.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. krich001@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krichbaum
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
authors.forename: Merrie J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kaas
authors.affiliation: Minnesota Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
authors.forename: Jean F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Wyman
authors.affiliation: Washington State University, College of Nursing, Spokane.
authors.forename: Catherine R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Van Son
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Active learning strategies; Assessing learning; Faculty development; Teaching effectiveness; Transfer of learning