Revision of an Undergraduate Older Adult Health Care Nursing Education Course

As the number of older adults continues to increase worldwide, nursing education needs to focus on this population. A revision of an undergraduate nursing course focusing on the care of older adults was completed. Content for the revised course was based on the recommendations of major nursing education organizations. Seventeen topic areas were identified, and objectives for each topic were written. Based on the objectives, classroom and clinical assignments were developed. Assignments were varied to address multiple learning styles using evolving standards of education for nursing students. The revision was piloted with one group of approximately 45 second-semester nursing students. Survey results from the students showed an increase in their comfort level with older adults. Further studies could evaluate the activities after they have been implemented longer to make further adjustments as needed to ensure the best learning for students.