WASHINGTON – The American Academy of Nursing (AAN) has collaborated with the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) to launch the Best Practices for Elder Care Course. This web-based, continuing-education course was developed by the Academy’s Expert Panel on Acute and Critical Care.  The course is offered on the AACN web-site (www.aacn.org), and takes advantage of AACN’s high-level, interactive software platform. Acute and critical care nurses can use this course to address the complex and intricate needs of older patients.

 

This course was developed through REASN (Resourcefully Enhancing Aging in Specialty Nursing), a project of the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at NYU College of Nursing supported by a grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies. The course was developed by eight AAN Expert Panel members and reviewed by expert geriatric nurses and advanced-degree student content specialists. It was piloted by Expert Panel members and 10 AACN staff nurses.

 

“We are excited that the continuing education program is now available on the AACN Web site with full text access for AACN members as well as non-member staff nurses, nursing students, nurse researchers and educators,” said Ruth Kleinpell, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAANP, FCCM, chair of the AAN Expert Panel on Acute and Critical Care. “The work enhances geriatric nursing science and will impact the quality of care for older adults who are hospitalized for an acute or critical illness.”

 

The course consists of three introductory modules that address the care needs of hospitalized elders, physiological changes in aging, and frameworks for elder care. It also includes four case studies that were developed based on a comprehensive evaluation of the research on best practice care for the elderly. The dynamic web-based platform boasts an interactive design that includes links to best practice articles and supplementary educational Web sites. The course is free and provides 4.0 hours of nurse continuing education units.

 

The members of the AAN Expert Panel on Acute and Critical Care who developed this course are Mary Lou Sole PhD, RN, FAAN, University of Central Florida; Mary Beth Happ, PhD, RN, FAAN, University of Pittsburgh; Richard Arbour, PhD, RN, FAAN, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Pittsburgh; Hilaire Thompson, PhD, RN, FAAN, University of Washington, Seattle; Carol Reineck, PhD, RN, FAAN, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio; Shirley Moore, PhD, RN, FAAN, Case Western Reserve University, Francis Payne Bolton School of Nursing; Therese Richmond, PhD, RN, FAAN, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia.

 

Visit the Web site for more information on the Best Practices Elder Care Course.

 

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The American Academy of Nursing (www.aannet.org) anticipates and tracks national and international trends in health care, while addressing resulting issues of health care knowledge and policy. The Academy’s mission is to serve the public and nursing profession by advancing health policy and practice through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of nursing knowledge.