A retrospective/prospective on the future of geriatric nursing

This paper will describe the exciting progress in geriatric nursing practice over the past 40 years and pay tribute to the leadership in the field, the progress in our programs of research and our commitment to ensuring our older patients get the reliable, high value, evidenced-based care they deserve. A brief synopsis of the literature related to the future of geriatric nursing and the field of geriatrics, describing themes from the literature in the context of the papers contained herein. Themes include: shortage of trained geriatric healthcare professionals, shortage of faculty, paucity of research funding, interdisciplinary care is required, meaningful use and integration of technology, lack of research funding and lack of interest in geriatrics as a specialty. The rapidly accelerating demand for geriatric nurse experts and care for older adults positions the nursing profession as principal agent in bridging care-gap needs for older persons, families, and their communities.