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Student nurses' attitudes towards working with older patients
1Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. andy.mckinlay@ed.ac.uk
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|July 16, 2003
Summary
Student nurses show positive intentions towards working with older patients, influenced by personal beliefs and perceived social expectations. Further research is needed to fully understand attitudes in this critical nursing field.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nursing Education
- Social Psychology
Background:
- The UK's aging population necessitates increased focus on elder care within nursing.
- Geriatric nursing is an unpopular specialization, potentially due to negative attitudes towards older patients.
- Negative attitudes among nurses could compromise the quality of care for older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the attitudes of student nurses concerning work with elderly patients.
- To explore the factors influencing student nurses' intentions towards geriatric care.
Main Methods:
- Utilized questionnaires based on the theory of planned behavior.
- Included Likert scales, vignettes, and demographic questions for 172 UK preregistration student nurses.
- Data collected during the 2000-2001 academic session.
Main Results:
- Student nurses expressed positive intentions toward working with older patients.
- Intentions were shaped by personal attitudes and perceived social norms.
- Beliefs about volitional control over behavior and differentiation between positive/less positive approaches were observed.
- Evidence regarding the link between knowledge/experience and positive attitudes was mixed.
Conclusions:
- Findings partially align with existing research on attitudes toward older people.
- A more focused and rigorous approach is required for research on attitudes towards working with older patients.
- Discusses theoretical, methodological, and practical implications for nursing education and practice.