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Dr. Marilyn Loen, geriatric nurse practitioner
and executive director of Metropolitan State's School of Nursing,
reports that her Hartford sponsored geriatric nursing course
receives rave reviews from students. Passionate about gerontology
nursing and committed to creation of a superior course, she
launched an extensive search for a qualified instructor for
the nursing school's 2004-2005 academic year. She finally
found Ruth Staus, adult nurse practitioner, to teach this
required two-credit course to associate degree students enrolled
in the school's RN-BSN program. The course is also cross-listed
as a requirement in the graduate adult nurse practitioner
program.
Prior to course implementation, Dr. Loen convened a geriatric/older
adult focus group, which included: retired and practicing
clergy, a retired physician/volunteer hospice medical director,
nurses in long term care, geriatric nurse practitioners, nurse
educators and elder citizens. After reviewing the focus group's
transcript, the geriatric grant committee integrated their
recommendations into the course content.
Dr. Loen reports that many undergraduate students began this
required course reluctantly, "moaning and groaning,"
and ended the semester enthusiastically. Ms. Staus noted that
on the first day, the students "sat in the back of the
room glaring at me." She quickly won them over by holding
most of her classes at the board and care facility where she
is primary care nurse. The students complete gerontology assessments
(i.e. "get up and go," geriatric depression scales,
Cornell depression scales) on the clientele, who have a combination
of mental illness (schizophrenic or bipolar), dementia and
complex medical problems. Ms. Staus also arranges for her
students to spend relaxed time with the residents, and by
so doing, over the course of the semester, they grow genuinely
fond and respectful of older citizens. She hopes for her students
to not only learn gerontology nursing basics at her facility,
but to also dispel their pre-conceived stereotypes about aging.
Ms. Staus believes strongly that gerontology nursing education
is best taught by individuals like herself, who are both clinicians
and teachers. Her lectures, which include a great deal of
interaction and discussion, are practical applications of
the course's required readings. She expects her students to
come to class, ready to apply their reading to real patient
cases. The course emphasizes health promotion, chronicity,
cultural aspects of aging, and geriatric specific pathophysiology.
It also examines current theories of aging, end-of-life care,
economic issues and ethical dilemmas related to nursing a
geriatric clientele.
Course evaluations applaud the course's practical application.
Students appreciate Ms. Staus' wisdom gleaned through practice.
Several students commented that by completing their clinicals
at the instructor's work site, they had a perfect venue for
integrating content, and that her course in general, taught
them "an exceptional amount."
Syllabus
Student Works
Student
Interview with Older Adult 1
Student
Interview with Older Adult 2
Student
Analysis Paper
Lessons
Learned
Principal Investigator Contact Information:
Marilyn Loen PhD, RN
Executive Director, School of Nursing
Metropolitan State University
St. Paul, Minnesota
Ph.651.793.1376
Fax 651.793.1382
marilyn.loen@metrostate.ed
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