Ensuring Competence of Specialty Nurses in Care of Older Adults

Mezet et al summarize the major outcomes of the specialty associations involved in Nurse Competence in Aging, a 5-year initiative funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies (USA). They report that the overall outcomes are achieved by these associations. These outcomes achieved speak to the association's capacity to take on an issue and disseminate relevant information to members. In relation to geriatrics, associations clearly evidenced a "readiness" to ensure that their members had the knowledge to care for older adults. Furthermore, it is concluded that these specialty associations have proved to be successful vehicles to provide on-going education to thousands of practicing nurses who may not have received prior education to prepare them for the reality that a large portion of patients are older adults. Continued efforts on behalf of these associations to provide geriatric educational opportunities to members will benefit both nurses and the patients they care for.