Millennials and the Aging Population, Research Paper Example

In their research paper, Heise, Johnsen, Himes & Wing (2012) conclude that there is a huge gap in the health care system. While the population is aging, and by 2030, around 20 percent of Americans will be aged over 65, the number of nurses choosing geriatrics as their field is not increasing. The authors ask the important question: is it students’ attitudes to blame, or is there an institutional ageism that prevents curriculum to be more focused around elderly care? More importantly: how can student attitudes be changed through education and interactive, integrated programs to increase the number of health care professionals specializing on geriatrics?

The authors are currently working at Brigham Young University College of Nursing, and specialize in geriatrics. They have both educational and nursing experience, and are in close contact with nursing students, as well as individuals who design the courses. This makes their view and research believable and authentic.

The main purpose of the article is to review studies and research related to the effectiveness of different curriculum modification interventions to increase interest among students regarding geriatrics. Different methods, such as stimulation and curriculum modification, timing of delivering learning materials have been discussed by the authors in detail. However, none of the methods have been proven to be effective in a standalone manner, and the authors of the article note that there is still need for further research and documentation of student attitudes.

The article reviews various intervention methods as feasible alternatives. Changing the curriculum of nursing courses is examined as one alternative. The research quoted by Heise, Johnsen, Himes & Wing (2012, p. 158), however, found that “students are more likely to retain knowledge when they are required to use that knowledge in a clinical setting”. This means that simply changing the learning material and the textbooks would not solve the problem of negative attitudes. Further, the review of the authors state that – as the area of geriatrics is not usually covered by courses in detail  – many students expressed confusion and frustration regarding the learning schedule and assignments. As a conclusion, students’ attitude cannot be influenced solely by teaching materials.

The next method that was looked at by the researchers was implementing didactic activities in the course. Asking students to better understand elderly people by sorting out pills or using the sensory kits demonstrating the impact of aging on vision, feeling, and taste was a method that was taking students closer to understanding the daily struggles of older people. However, even if students felt empathy towards elderly people, this was no guarantee that they would change their career choices. Using the Try This series risk scales and attending World Senior Games changed many students’ attitudes towards older adults. Simulation was also used to help students get in contact with various multicultural older adults and better understand their caring needs.

In my opinion, the authors are right when they say that attitudes of students against older people do influence their career choices. However, simply using curriculum modification or increasing students’ exposure to elderly patients would not solve the problem. I would agree that there is a need for an integrated intervention model, but there is one problem. Simply learning about diversity based on age will not make any nurse better at caring for older people. There is a need for combining clinical practice experience, learning about aging, and stimulation. Further, it is important to note that career choices of nursing students are not necessarily only influenced by their attitude towards different patient groups. Among their selection criteria, one can find job stability and career development opportunities. Some students would make a choice based on how rewarding they think the health care field is. This is why I would suggest that – along with curriculum modification and stimulative didactic methods – students would have a real idea about how life in a nursing home or hospice care works. While it is not possible that all students visit nursing units where elderly people are cared for, it would be useful if educators implemented a meeting with a nurse or nursing manager working in a health care facility that looks after mainly older people. Students would be able to ask questions about the roles, career opportunities, training, and job satisfaction, and make an informed decision based on first hand information. They would soon realize that – due to the demand for geriatrics health care specialists, they would be able to benefit from higher level of job security. This way, nurses who are interested in working with older adults would make a conscious decision, instead of choosing elderly care because they feel emotionally connected or sympathetic with them.

As a conclusion, the research of the authors has revealed that standalone intervention methods would not result in the increase of the number of nursing students choosing geriatrics as their faculty. However, developing an integrated model that introduces students to the life of a nurse in elderly care, teaches them how to treat every patient fairly and with respect, and understand elderly people would have a potential of increasing interest among those studying health care in one of America’s colleges.

References

Heise, B., Johnsen, V.,  Himes, D.,  & Wing, D. (2012) Developing positive attitudes toward geriatric nursing among millennials and generation Xers. Nursing Education Perspectives.  May / June 2012. Vol.33 No.3