title: Nursing students' attitudes toward persons who are aged: An integrative review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze empirical studies from the United States and Canada to gain an understanding on how nursing education affects nursing students' attitudes toward persons who are aged.
  
  
  METHODS
  An integrative literature review was completed using Garrard's (2011) Matrix Method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Articles were identified through the electronic database search engines of CINAHL, Pub Med, and Academic Search Complete. Only peer reviewed research articles from 2009 to 2015 were reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review matrix was created to abstract information from 11 studies so that synthesis could occur. Information in the columns of the review matrix was used to compare the studies. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 27 item check list was used to help with reporting the findings. Studies were graded using the American Association of Critical Care Nurses' (AACN) level of evidence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A key finding is student engagement with gerontological content in the classroom or clinical setting results in improving nursing students' attitudes toward persons who are aged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several gaps exist in the literature. Further research including longitudinal studies and large scale, multi-site samples would add to the existing knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Benedictine University, 1500 North 5th Street, Springfield, IL 62702, USA; Illinois State University, Mennonite College of Nursing, Campus Box 5810, Normal, IL 61790, USA. Electronic address: slhovey@ilstu.edu.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hovey
authors.affiliation: Illinois State University, Mennonite College of Nursing, Campus Box 5810, Normal, IL 61790, USA. Electronic address: mjdyck@ilstu.edu.
authors.forename: Mary J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dyck
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, Nursing, Springfield Regional Campus, One University Plaza, HRB 10, Springfield, IL 62703-5407, USA. Electronic address: creese1@uic.edu.
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.affiliation: Illinois State University, Mennonite College of Nursing, Campus Box 5810, Normal, IL 61790, USA. Electronic address: mkim2@ilstu.edu.
authors.forename: MyoungJin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D063506:Ageism / Q000523:psychology*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000941:ethics; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Ageism; Aging; Attitude; Education, nursing; Health personnel; Students, nursing