Journal of Aging Science

Using low-fidelity, role-play simulation in nursing education to improve undergraduate nursing studentsâ?? attitudes toward older adults: A pilot study

3^rd International Conference on Aging & Gerontology

July 18-19, 2018 | Atlanta, USA

Jacqulin C Myles

Keiser University, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Aging Sci

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: The preparation of nurses to care for the aging population is one of the major challenges for nursing education leaders. Improving student nursesâ?? knowledge and attitudes towards older adults is one way to provide adequate care. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental, one-group pretest-post-test pilot project, was to analyze the effects of using low-fidelity, role-play simulation in nursing education during a Fundamentals of Nursing laboratory at a private college in South Florida. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The Kolb Experiential Learning Theory was the conceptual framework for the project. A convenience sample of 25 first-year, associate degree in nursing students (ADN) registered in the Fundamentals of Nursing course at a private college in South Florida were recruited for the project. A total of 23 nursing students participated in the study. Koganâ??s Attitudes towards Old People Scale (KAOP) used as pretest and posttests, and a demographic questionnaire was administered. The pretest was conducted before the role-play simulation activity, and the posttest was completed one week post the role-play simulation activity. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic information. Scores from the pretests and posttests were evaluated using the matched-pairs t-test and the Wilcoxon Signed Ranked test to obtain means and standard deviation. Conclusion & Significance: Studentsâ?? attitudes toward older individuals significantly improved (P<.002) after the role-play simulation experience. Recommendations: are made to support the credence that instructive interventions are critical to creating awareness of agerelated issues and evidence-based practice in caring for older adults.

Biography :

Jacqulin Myles has been a nurse educator for over 12 years, and is currently a nursing professor at Keiser University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She received a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from New York University, Master of Science in nursing degree from University of Phoenix, and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in Educational Leadership from American Sentinel University. She was a geriatric scholar while attending New York University and has worked in clinical areas including long-term care, medical-surgical, and the acute care for the elderly (ACE) unit. For many years Dr. Myles observed the attitudes of health care professionals toward older adults and the role attitudes play in achieving best patient outcomes. As a Certified Nurse Educator, she is dedicated to advocating and enhancing the care of the geriatric population. Her primary area of research has focused on interventions to enhance and improve quality of care for older adults.

E-mail: j51_19@yahoo.com