Radford University - School of Nursing
Janet Hardy Boettcher, RN, C, CNAA, PhD, FAAN, Director Marcella J. Griggs, RN, C, PhD (faculty contact)

Abstract:
The nursing education curriculum is community-based and provides the undergraduate student with a rich diversity of clinical experiences across the continuum of care. The School of Nursing has contracts with over 150 community agencies for clinical experiences that focus on: wellness promotion; illness prevention; early disease detection and treatment; interventions for acute and chronic health problems; and care during the end of life. The innovative gerontology curriculum at the undergraduate level consists of three courses -- Nursing of the Adult, Externship in Clinical Gerontological Nursing, and Leadership in Nursing -- and the concept of "clinical partnering" is threaded throughout the courses. A faculty member certified as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontological Nursing coordinates both the undergraduate and graduate gerontology curricula. The Waldron Center for Applied Research provides support for research efforts with an emphasis on gerontologic concerns. Baccalaureate graduates are prepared as generalists for entry level practice in the profession. Several graduates have taken nursing positions in long-term care. They all indicate their undergraduate experiences with older adults made them more aware of the professional opportunities in this area.