Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy Participants Seek to Improve the Quality of Care for Older Adults

 Program developed with a grant from The John A. Hartford Foundation

Indianapolis – The United States Census Bureau predicts that by 2030 more than 92 million people will be over the age of 60. This ageing of the population creates unprecedented demands for health care providers — especially nurses. The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), recognizes the ability of nurses to influence practice and patient outcomes in geriatric health care and has developed the Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy (GNLA).

The program, which begins its second cohort this month, is funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation and is developed in partnership with the Hartford Foundation’s Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence. This leadership development program has become a premier opportunity for nurses dedicated to influencing policy and geriatric health outcomes. Fellows of the Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy become active participants in the national network of geriatric nursing leaders. The 2010-11 program has received additional support from Hill-Rom Inc. and Northwest Health Foundation.

“The Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy is building geriatric nurse leadership capacity in health care settings serving older adults across the United States,” says STTI President Karen H. Morin, RN, DSN, ANEF. “Nurses participating in the program will gain valuable leadership skills that will positively influence geriatric health outcomes.”

2010-11 Program Participants

Participants in the GNLA program represent 12 states and will work for the next 18 months through this intense and comprehensive leadership curriculum. Activities include face-to-face meetings; online discussion forums; and regular, structured communication between and among fellows, mentors and expert faculty leaders.

Fellow/mentor pairs

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 The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the learning, knowledge and professional development of nurses committed to making a difference in health worldwide. Founded in 1922, STTI has inducted more than 400,000 members in 86 countries. Members include practicing nurses, instructors, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs and others. STTI’s 469 chapters are located at 586 institutions of higher education throughout Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, The Netherlands, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, the United States and Wales. More information about STTI can be found online at www.nursingsociety.org.

 Founded in 1929, The John A. Hartford Foundation is a committed champion of training, research and service system innovations that promote the health and independence of America’s older adults. Through its grant making, the Foundation seeks to strengthen the nation’s capacity to provide effective, affordable care to this rapidly increasing older population by educating “aging-prepared” health professionals (physicians, nurses, social workers), and developing innovations that improve and better integrate health and supportive services. The Foundation was established by John A. Hartford. Mr. Hartford and his brother, George L. Hartford, both former chief executives of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, left the bulk of their estates to the Foundation upon their deaths in the 1950s. Additional information about the Foundation and its programs are available at www.jhartfound.org.