Using a self-care framework for continuing education in gerontological nursing

Orem's (1985) Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (S-CDNT) was used as a framework for an 8-day continuing education course in gerontological nursing provided nine times throughout Missouri. Through the use of case studies, major elements of the theory were not only introduced, but also were related to practice by speakers who focused on self-care abilities and limitations, as well as self-care demands and agency. Evaluation data from each of the locations demonstrated a significant increase in participants' knowledge scores from pre- to posttest (p less than .0001) using the Sign Rank Test. Participants perceived a substantial increase in both knowledge of theory-based gerontological nursing and theory-based practice. Follow-up evaluations after 6 months suggested that the use of S-CDNT as a framework for gerontological nursing content had a lasting impact on the development of a strong nursing perspective and on more positive attitudes toward gerontological nursing.