School
of Nursing
Funded Research
Projects: Aging and Elder Care
Gerontological
Nursing Focus for Online RN/BS Program
Principal Investigator:
Linda Felver
Abstract:
The purpose of this
project is to increase the number of baccalaureate-level nurses prepared
to meet the health care challenges of a rapidly expanding older population
in rural and frontier areas. The simultaneous growth and aging of Oregon's
population are increasing the chronic disease burden and health care needs.
The proposal seeks funding to create and implement a Gerontological Nursing
(Gero) Focus in the existing Oregon Health & Science University School
of Nursing (OHSU SON) RN/BS Program. The project builds the Gero Focus
option into the existing online curriculum, using currently operating
distance technology to deliver the program to ADN-prepared nurses living
in rural and frontier areas of Oregon. In addition to the standard baccalaureate
competencies, RNs who complete the Gero Focus RN/BS curriculum will have
developed baccalaureate Gero Competencies that will enable them to provide
complex care to rural and frontier older adults. The project is a partnership
between the OHSU SON Gerontological Nursing Specialty Faculty, the OHSU
SON RN/BS Program, and the John A. Hartford Center for Geriatric Nursing
Excellence. Project objectives are 1) Create a gerontological nursing
focus option in the OHSU RN/BS Program to increase the number of baccalaureate-level
nurses prepared to meet the health care challenges of a rapidly expanding
older population, especially those in rural areas; 2) Implement a Gero
Focus option in the existing online RN/BS program to increase desirability
and access to baccalaureate nursing education for registered nurses with
associate degrees or diplomas in nursing, especially those in rural and
frontier areas; 3) Recruit and enroll up to 10 qualified students annually,
giving preference to those living in rural and frontier areas, those serving
medically underserved communities, and those who are minorities, in order
to increase the number of BSN nurses educated to work with older adults;
4) Link with a high school to develop future minority nurses interested
in working with older adults through Kids into Health Careers projects;
and 5) Collaborate with agencies, entities, and organizations to include
rural and frontier Gero Focus students in the community of gerontological
nurses in the region. Formative and summative evaluation will determine
if the project objectives and subobjectives have been met.
Dates of Project:
7/1/2002 – 6/30/2006
Funding Agency: Health Resource Services Administration - Bureau of Health
Professions