A scarce professional: the geropsychiatric clinical nurse specialist

The purpose of this paper is threefold: (1) to provide detailed data to substantiate the urgent need for geropsychiatric clinical-nursing specialists (GCNSs), (2) to suggest curricula content areas for GCNSs, and (3) to discuss potential topics for research on mental health and the aged. The GCNS is a rare professional; therefore, rationale is provided for the need for increasing the quantity and the quality of GCNSs. The demographic changes are emphasized in this paper, and a wide array of research topics for nurse researchers are suggested. One area needing further research is reminiscence therapy.