Unity in diversity: geropsychiatric nursing survey outcomes

1. Most nurse respondents stated that increased education is of crucial importance in the care of geropsychiatric patients. This need for increased education covers a wide range of areas and includes the problems unique to elderly patients, medications in use, and ensuring that caregiving staff are adequately prepared to deal with geropsychiatric problems. 2. Of the 264 respondents to the survey, their degrees of education and certification and their employment settings represent a diversity of preparation and experience in their fields. This diversity allows them to incorporate a variety of skills in the care of geropsychiatric patients. 3. It is hoped that the survey information can aid in forming sound standards in geropsychiatric education and in the future, gaining certification in geropsychiatric nursing as a subspecialty.