Gerontology Nursing Excellence Externship: Transforming the Future Workforce
鈥淕erontological nurses require a unique skill-set鈥�, explains Melissa O鈥機onnor, PhD, MBA, RN, FGSA, associate professor and director of the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing鈥檚 Gerontology Interest Group (鈥渢he GiG鈥�). 鈥淭he GiG鈥檚 Gerontology Nursing Excellence Externship: Transforming the Future Workforce is an innovative response to the need to transform the nursing workforce so that we are better prepared to care for the growing population of older adults鈥�. The Externship is a first-of-its-kind, structured summer clinical experience designed to provide undergraduate nursing students a 360-degree opportunity to work with older adults. The first partnership launched during the summer of 2020 with California-based Generations Healthcare.
鈥淭he externship developed by Dr. O鈥機onnor, in partnership with Generations Healthcare, creates a 鈥榳in-win鈥� program where nursing students gain valuable clinical experience, working alongside our nurses in an up-tempo post-acute environment. The 奶糖直播 Nursing students participating in this summer鈥檚 externship have performed magnificently. As 奶糖直播 alumni, Lois (鈥�87 VSB, CFO) and I are extremely proud of offering this opportunity to Nova Nurses. We look forward to a long, mutually beneficial partnership with the GiG, 鈥渟ays John Mastrocola 鈥�87 VSB, 鈥�16P, 鈥�21P, director of Regional Operations - Southern California and a member of the College鈥檚 Board of Consultors.
Kaidi Miller 鈥�21 of Menlo Park, Ca. is an extern at Generations Healthcare鈥檚 Cedar Crest location.
Rising Fitzpatrick College of Nursing seniors and California residents, Cinthia Carlos, Victoria Mastrocola, and Kaidi Miller have been named the inaugural recipients of The Gerontology Nursing Excellence Externship. The curriculum is designed for students to not only work as certified nursing assistants (CNAs), but rotate through all aspects of the facility from nursing leadership to dietary services and facility management.听 鈥淣ot only are these shadowing opportunities incredibly interesting, but I also better understand how various members of the healthcare team work together to collaboratively care for and improve outcomes for patients and residents,鈥� Kaidi shared regarding her experience at the Cedar Crest facility. Four days a week, the nursing students work with patients as CNAs, leaving their final day to shadow and learn different aspects of care and operations. Victoria shared, 鈥淒uring my experience, I was able to apply my med-surg clinical experience in the establishment of comprehensive care plans for the diverse clinical comorbidities of the geriatric patient. Geriatric caregivers take a holistic approach to meet the psychosocial needs of the patient with the goal of improving their quality of life鈥�.
听
Cinthia Carlos 鈥�21 of Los Angeles, is externing at Generation Healthcare鈥檚 Canyon Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Cinthia admits that gerontological nursing may be overlooked initially by some when considering a career in nursing, however, she finds motivation in the growth of the population and their interest in maintaining an active, full lifestyle. Cinthia explains, 鈥淭his experience has helped me improve my nursing skills while working in a different environment. It has helped me gain more confidence in my abilities and has provided me an incredible opportunity to work within the healthcare system during a public health emergency.鈥�
听
Victoria Mastrocola '21 performs a COVID-19 swab test while working at Generations Healthcare.
As the US older adult population continues to age and grow in size, determining how to care for them presents both opportunities and challenges. This growth underscores the urgent need for the education and preparation of nurses and students of all disciplines who are equipped to care for and with older adults with complex social and health needs, many of whom are suffering from multiple chronic conditions simultaneously.
奶糖直播 University鈥檚 M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN) is meeting this need with the campus-wide GiG that includes all levels of faculty, students, researchers and staff who are dedicated to caring for and meeting the unique needs of older adults. Under the leadership of Dr. O鈥機onnor, the group is assembling a diverse team with the varied expertise necessary to build a reputation for innovations in research and education across the care continuum for older adults. Visit here for more information about the GiG.