Gerontological Nursing: Challenging Work and Rewards

ABSTRACT

Abstract The increase in life expectancy results in a greater number of older persons, which is moving to the population of aging. Accordingly, nurses and thenursing profession have a sharpened attention and responsibility to develop the level of competencies, skills, knowledge available, and positive attitude to meet specific needs of older persons in a variety of settings home, community, long-term care institutions/hospitals, and hospitals for acute care. Care of older persons is çtrue nursing,é whichis recognized as the largest single component of the health services required to care for the frail, sick, and dying, while also contributes to the maintenance of health and prevention of disease. An educational preparation is an important step towards furtherdevelopment of qualified nurses including the undergraduate program that provides fundamental contents about nursing care of older persons, the continuing education, as well as the masterûs program as advanced nursing practice in gerontologicalnursing. Care of older persons is one of the most interesting areas of nursing specialty, which is challenging and rewarding from human care. We as nurses should campaign to promote good nursing practice and advocate for our clients.