Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Vol. 35 No. 12 December 2009
By Susan Crocker Houde, PhD, ANP-BC; Karen Devereaux Melillo, PhD, ANP-BC, FAANP, FGSA
ABSTRACT
Due to the aging population in the United States, there will be a need for a larger workforce that is prepared to provide care to an older adult population. The Institute of Medicine has noted challenges related to the preparation of a geriatric workforce due to lack of faculty, inconsistent curricula, and few training opportunities, and has made recommendations to increase the geriatric workforce. In this article, several policy initiatives are discussed that address the shortage of health professionals prepared to care for older adults. Initiatives by professional nursing organizations to improve the gerontological nursing workforce are also reviewed.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr. Houde is Professor and Director of MS, DNP, and Graduate Certificate Programs, Department of Nursing, and Dr. Melillo is Professor and Chair, Department of Nursing, and Coordinator, Graduate Gerontological Nursing Practitioner Specialty, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.
Address correspondence to Susan Crocker Houde, PhD, ANP-BC, Professor and Director of MS, DNP, and Graduate Certificate Programs, Department of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 3 Solomont Way, Lowell, MA 01854; e-mail: susan_houde@uml.edu.
Posted: November 23, 2009
doi:10.3928/00989134-20091103-04
