The effects of gerontology nursing teaching methods on nursing student knowledge, attitudes, and desire to work with older adult clients

The purpose of this study was to determine if two methods of teaching gerontological nursing led to differences in increasing student knowledge, fostering positive attitudes, and changing student intentions to work with older adults. This quasi-experimental study used the Solomon four-group design to analyze the knowledge and attitudes of junior-level baccalaureate nursing students attending two different universities. Groups 1 and 2 (experimental groups) were enrolled in and required to complete a gerontology nursing course. Groups 3 and 4 (control groups) were enrolled in a nursing program that integrated gerontological content throughout the program. Pretest and posttest using Palmore's Facts on Aging Quizzes (FAQ) were administered at the beginning and end of the semester to measure subject knowledge about and negative and positive biases toward aging. Only Groups 1 and 3 took the pretest; the posttest was administered to all groups.;A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted on the FAQ knowledge, negative bias, and positive bias mean scores to determine the main effect of the treatment, the main effect of pretesting, and the interaction of pretesting and the treatment. Although results revealed no differences in the participants' knowledge of aging, some differences were found for negative and positive attitudes toward aging.;Survey questionnaires were also used to gather biographical data and assess postgraduate work preferences. Analysis of the demographic data showed the sample groups to be significantly different in terms of race and/or ethnicity, marital status, and religiosity. The control groups had a higher percent of Whites and married students, while a higher percentage of the experimental groups reported themselves as being religious. Additionally, work preference survey responses indicated antipathy for work in settings primarily with older adult populations.;Negative stereotypes, misconceptions, and attitudes toward the aged continue to be commonplace among nursing students. The findings from this study suggest that nurse educators must continue to explore and research teaching strategies that will increase knowledge and promote positive attitudes toward the growing aged population.