Addressing the Nursing Workforce Gap with an Age-Friendly Curriculum
Author Information
Author(s): Brown Diane, Fosnight Sue, Drost Jennifer, Gergis Mary, Hovland Cynthia, Sanders Margaret, Kropp Denise, Gareri Michele
Primary Institution: University of Akron
Hypothesis
Can a virtual curriculum improve nursing students' attitudes and teamwork in skilled nursing facilities?
Conclusion
The curriculum showed positive effects on nursing students' attitudes towards skilled nursing facilities and teamwork.
Supporting Evidence
- More than one in four US nursing homes report staff shortages.
- The curriculum included recorded lectures, quizzes, and shadowing experiences.
- The first nursing cohort rated their ability to provide comfort and flexible scheduling highly.
Takeaway
This study created a training program to help nursing students feel better about working in nursing homes, especially after COVID-19 made staffing shortages worse.
Methodology
A 12-module virtual curriculum was developed, including shadowing experiences and pre-post education surveys.
Limitations
The study may be limited by the small sample size and specific demographics of the participants.
Participant Demographics
Undergraduate nursing students, nurse assistants in training, and social work students from various institutions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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