Improving nursing students' confidence in caring for persons with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Nursing students need experiences providing patient centered care for persons with dementia. METHODS: Students were provided with a voluntary opportunity to complete an online educational module that focused on caring for persons with dementia. Dementia knowledge was measured with the Alzheimer Dementia and Knowledge Scale and confidence was assessed with the Sense of Competence in Dementia Care Staff Scale. RESULTS: Data suggested that students developed an increased confidence in caring for persons with dementia after the education. Key to person centered care, students demonstrated an increased ability to sustain person hood and build relationships. CONCLUSIONS: The growing complexity and needs of persons with dementia in various practice settings requires a nursing workforce able to apply clinical reasoning and provide person centered care. Further studies are needed exploring the effects of online educational opportunities on learning outcomes and clinical reasoning to build confidence in caring for persons with dementia.