Using Assisted Living Communities to Enhance Nursing Student Attitudes Toward Older Adults.

PURPOSE: The older adult population continues to increase, resulting in greater use of health care resources. Nurses will be at the forefront of providing competent care to this population, but many nurses do not wish to work with the aged population after graduation. The current study sought to explore whether the addition of a clinical shift at an assisted living community promoted positive attitudes by nursing students toward older adults and exposed them to healthy aging. METHODS: Students (N = 70) in a required undergraduate course at a large university in the West received clinical experience at local assisted living communities in which they independently interviewed a resident and provided an educational session to residents. RESULTS: Students, communities, and clinical instructors had a positive experience in this clinical, finding it rewarding and meaningful and a mechanism for observing healthy aging. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of a clinical experience at an assisted living facility into a stand-alone gerontology course created a positive shift in nursing student attitudes toward older adults, dispelled myths and stereotypes, and was reported to be a meaningful experience. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(2), 11-15.].

Improving Nursing Student Attitudes Toward Older Adults Through the Use of Mask-Ed™ Simulation.

Older adults are significant consumers of health care, yet studies find many health care students do not want to work with this population. This negative attitude can impact health outcomes. Increased exposure to older adults is linked to increased positive attitudes toward older adult care. Addressing the need for increased opportunities to interact with older adults will likely enhance these attitudes and thus improve health outcomes. In the current study, four varied Mask-Ed™ simulation activities were used in a course with a specific focus on nursing care of older adults. The Mask-Ed™ character, an older adult woman, works with students and provides opportunities for positive interactions/experiences. Students responded positively to simulation activities. Students described the experiences as helpful in increasing their confidence and comfort level with older adults. This unique experience fostered positive attitudes toward older adults among nursing students by giving them the opportunity to practice engaging with this population. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(12), 43-47.].