University of Arakansas, Fayetteville -- Eleanor Mann School of Nursing
Barbara Conrad, PhD, RN, Director; Lynne Seymour (faculty contact)

Abstract:
Gerontologic nursing is the focus of two courses in the first semester of the senior year. A responsibility of the courses is to prepare students to use research-based practice when caring for older adults in a variety of settings (in-patient, long-term care, and community-based settings).

Students learn content related to the historical and cultural perspectives of gerontologic nursing; theories of aging; holistic assessment of older adults; health promotion for the normal aging process; and identification of health risks and caring for health problems associated with older people. Legal and ethical issues and public policy affecting older adults as well as future perspectives in the health care system concerning older adults are also explored.

Students research a topic and then become involved in translating findings into practice policy or protocol with a cooperating health care setting. As part of the capstone senior seminar course, students prepare and present in poster format their Research Utilization Project at the University of Arkansas Annual Nursing Research Conference. Students are able to share their work in ways that introduce nurses to new approaches to care based on research. In addition, the students have a project to visit an older person and become intimately involved in developing a wellness care plan designed to assist the older person in reaching the highest possible level of wellness.