Implementing a gerontological nursing competencies programme in aged care: Participant experiences

Victoria Traynor; Nicole Britten; Diane Gibson; Stephanie Munk; Lynn Chenoweth; Jolan Stokes; Tracey Moroney; Karen Strickland; Toni Donaghy; Kasia Bail

doi:10.1111/inr.13034

Implementing a gerontological nursing competencies programme in aged care: Participant experiences

Victoria Traynor, Nicole Britten, Diane Gibson, Stephanie Munk, Lynn Chenoweth, Jolan Stokes, Tracey Moroney, Karen Strickland, Toni Donaghy, Kasia Bail

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

AIMS: To explore the experience of registered nurses and their mentors in the implementation of the Gerontological Nursing Competencies in long-term aged care and the perceived effectiveness and suitability of the programme to support nurse development.

BACKGROUND: The global population is ageing and needs a reliable aged-care nursing workforce.

INTRODUCTION: Opportunities for education and mentorship for newly qualified and experienced aged-care nurses warrant investigation.

METHODS: Qualitative evaluation using semi-structured focus groups was conducted following the implementation of the programme into five not-for-profit long-term aged-care organisations and analysed by a reflexive qualitative thematic approach and reported according to COREQ criteria.

RESULTS: A total of 21 nurses (7 mentors and 14 mentees) participated in six focus groups. Five themes were generated: (1) nurses gained confidence and competence through the programme; (2) the facilitation of suitable mentoring activities and approaches was crucial to success; (3) the programme helps nurses recognise gerontology as a specialty; (4) the programme contributes to building a strategy of recruitment/retention/quality improvement in the sector; (5) barriers, challenges, changes and recommendations were identified.

DISCUSSION: The Gerontological Nursing Competency model, which combined adaptive mentoring supported by reflective practice embedded in a gerontological nursing competencies framework, was perceived to improve nurse confidence and competence to lead and improve nursing standards of care.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: The evidence-based competencies are an acceptable and effective method for supporting gerontological nurse development. Expansion of, and accessibility to, the programme may aid global responses to aged-care reform, by building the recognition of gerontological nursing as a specialty and contributing towards recruitment, retention and quality care improvements.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-17
Number of pages	17
Journal	International Nursing Review
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.13034
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 30 Jul 2024

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10.1111/inr.13034

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abstract = "AIMS: To explore the experience of registered nurses and their mentors in the implementation of the Gerontological Nursing Competencies in long-term aged care and the perceived effectiveness and suitability of the programme to support nurse development.BACKGROUND: The global population is ageing and needs a reliable aged-care nursing workforce.INTRODUCTION: Opportunities for education and mentorship for newly qualified and experienced aged-care nurses warrant investigation.METHODS: Qualitative evaluation using semi-structured focus groups was conducted following the implementation of the programme into five not-for-profit long-term aged-care organisations and analysed by a reflexive qualitative thematic approach and reported according to COREQ criteria.RESULTS: A total of 21 nurses (7 mentors and 14 mentees) participated in six focus groups. Five themes were generated: (1) nurses gained confidence and competence through the programme; (2) the facilitation of suitable mentoring activities and approaches was crucial to success; (3) the programme helps nurses recognise gerontology as a specialty; (4) the programme contributes to building a strategy of recruitment/retention/quality improvement in the sector; (5) barriers, challenges, changes and recommendations were identified.DISCUSSION: The Gerontological Nursing Competency model, which combined adaptive mentoring supported by reflective practice embedded in a gerontological nursing competencies framework, was perceived to improve nurse confidence and competence to lead and improve nursing standards of care.CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: The evidence-based competencies are an acceptable and effective method for supporting gerontological nurse development. Expansion of, and accessibility to, the programme may aid global responses to aged-care reform, by building the recognition of gerontological nursing as a specialty and contributing towards recruitment, retention and quality care improvements.",

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T2 - Participant experiences

AU - Traynor, Victoria

AU - Britten, Nicole

AU - Gibson, Diane

AU - Munk, Stephanie

AU - Chenoweth, Lynn

AU - Stokes, Jolan

AU - Moroney, Tracey

AU - Strickland, Karen

AU - Donaghy, Toni

AU - Bail, Kasia

N1 - © 2024 The Author(s). International Nursing Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Council of Nurses. Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). International Nursing Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Council of Nurses.

PY - 2024/7/30

Y1 - 2024/7/30

N2 - AIMS: To explore the experience of registered nurses and their mentors in the implementation of the Gerontological Nursing Competencies in long-term aged care and the perceived effectiveness and suitability of the programme to support nurse development.BACKGROUND: The global population is ageing and needs a reliable aged-care nursing workforce.INTRODUCTION: Opportunities for education and mentorship for newly qualified and experienced aged-care nurses warrant investigation.METHODS: Qualitative evaluation using semi-structured focus groups was conducted following the implementation of the programme into five not-for-profit long-term aged-care organisations and analysed by a reflexive qualitative thematic approach and reported according to COREQ criteria.RESULTS: A total of 21 nurses (7 mentors and 14 mentees) participated in six focus groups. Five themes were generated: (1) nurses gained confidence and competence through the programme; (2) the facilitation of suitable mentoring activities and approaches was crucial to success; (3) the programme helps nurses recognise gerontology as a specialty; (4) the programme contributes to building a strategy of recruitment/retention/quality improvement in the sector; (5) barriers, challenges, changes and recommendations were identified.DISCUSSION: The Gerontological Nursing Competency model, which combined adaptive mentoring supported by reflective practice embedded in a gerontological nursing competencies framework, was perceived to improve nurse confidence and competence to lead and improve nursing standards of care.CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: The evidence-based competencies are an acceptable and effective method for supporting gerontological nurse development. Expansion of, and accessibility to, the programme may aid global responses to aged-care reform, by building the recognition of gerontological nursing as a specialty and contributing towards recruitment, retention and quality care improvements.

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Implementing a gerontological nursing competencies programme in aged care: Participant experiences

Abstract

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