Gerontology and geriatric issues and trends in U.S. nursing programs: a national survey

Elderly persons in the United States constitute an increasing proportion of our population impacting nursing education. The purpose of this study was to survey geriatric and gerontology issues and trends in U.S. baccalaureate schools of nursing since the advent of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's (AACN's) Older Adults: Recommended Baccalaureate Competencies and Curricular Guidelines for Geriatric Nursing Care. A national mail survey of all accredited AACN baccalaureate programs was conducted, resulting in 202 responses and a 36% response rate. The results show that half of the respondents reported integrating geriatrics/gerontology, and half reported having stand-alone geriatric/gerontology courses. Results indicate key issues that warrant further investigation. These include: (1) faculty preparation related to geriatrics and gerontology; (2) gaps in implementing the AACN's Older Adults: Recommended Baccalaureate Competencies and Curricular Guidelines for Geriatric Nursing Care in both stand-alone courses and integrated curricula; and (3) the extent to which the AACN's Older Adults: Recommended Baccalaureate Competencies and Curricular Guidelines for Geriatric Nursing Care is addressed in undergraduate curricula. Trends noted include planning to offer and retaining required stand-alone geriatric/gerontology courses. These results may be useful to nurse educators and researchers who are grappling with nursing education issues concerning geriatric and gerontology preparation. Of importance is that nursing curricula reflect nursing faculty's commitment to addressing the health care needs of the burgeoning number of elderly persons in society.