Getting Connected: Experiential Dementia Skills Training.

Area of Science:

• Gerontological Nursing
• Nursing Education
• Dementia Care

Background:

• Nursing students require specialized skills to effectively care for persons living with dementia (PLWD).
• Bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills in dementia care is crucial for nursing education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the "Getting Connected: Experiential Dementia Skills Training" on nursing students' preparedness.
• To determine if the Positive Approach to Care® model enhances nursing students' comfort and skills in caring for PLWD.

Main Methods:

• A 6-hour experiential dementia skills training was implemented in a Bachelor of Science Nursing program.
• 62 sophomore nursing students participated, with 32 completing pre- and post-tests measuring knowledge, comfort, and confidence.
• The study utilized a pre- and post-test design with the training as the intervention.

Main Results:

• The training significantly enhanced nursing students' knowledge of dementia and communication strategies.
• No significant increase in students' confidence or comfort levels in interacting with PLWD was observed immediately after the training.
• Experiential learning provided insights into the lived experience of dementia.

Conclusions:

• The "Getting Connected" training, utilizing the Positive Approach to Care® model, is beneficial for knowledge acquisition and communication skills in dementia care.
• Further research may be needed to explore long-term effects on student confidence and comfort.
• The training offers a valuable approach for preparing nursing students to care for PLWD.