Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
08:47
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Relationship skills building with older adults
Cheryl McNeill1, Mona Shattell, Eileen Rossen
1University of North Carolina at Greensboro, School of Nursing, 003 Petty Building, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA. cheryl_mcneill@uncg.edu
The Journal of Nursing Education
|June 19, 2008
Summary
This study highlights a clinical experience for nursing students focused on building therapeutic relationship skills with older adults. Students gained valuable insights into life appreciation, active listening, and the diverse life stories of seniors.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
- Geriatric Care
- Nursing Education
Background:
- Older adults represent a growing demographic in healthcare.
- Effective therapeutic communication is crucial for psychiatric mental health nurses.
- Junior nursing students require practical experience in geriatric mental health settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe an innovative clinical experience for junior nursing students.
- To enhance relationship skills building with older adults.
- To explore the nurse's role in mental health care for the geriatric population.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a clinical experience focused on therapeutic communication.
- Direct interaction between junior nursing students and older adults.
- Guided self-discovery and exploration of the nurse-patient relationship.
Main Results:
- Students successfully developed relationship-building skills with older adults.
- Enhanced student appreciation for the value of life and active listening.
- Students recognized the richness of older adults' life stories.
Conclusions:
- The clinical experience effectively integrated therapeutic communication skills.
- The program fostered personal growth and a deeper understanding of geriatric mental health.
- This experience prepares future nurses for a significant patient demographic.
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