Learning with older people—Outcomes of a quasi-experimental study

• Older people have experiential knowledge creating learning opportunities for students.
• New educational approach involving older people was tested.
• Students' attitudes and interest in the field improved in a short-term follow-up.

SummaryBackgroundNursing students' interest in older people nursing needs to be enhanced, as there is a demand for competent nurses who prefer to work in older people nursing. Educational approaches involving older people are encouraging; they increase positive learning outcomes.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the Learning with Older People Programme (LOPP) in terms of nursing students' interest in older people nursing, their attitudes towards older people and their knowledge level about ageing.DesignA quasi-experimental, pre-post-test design with non-equivalent comparison group was used.SettingsTwo different Finnish nursing schools geographically apart from each other.ParticipantsA nonprobability, convenience sample of nursing students (n = 87; n = 46 in the intervention group, n = 41 in the comparison group) in the middle of their 3.5 year bachelor degree studies and enrolled in compulsory theoretical older people nursing courses participated in the study.MethodsData were collected in 2014 using a structured questionnaire that included background questions, students' interest in older people nursing as a primary outcome measure and their attitudes towards older people and knowledge level about ageing as secondary outcome measures. The data were analysed statistically.ResultsIn the intervention group, students' interest in older people nursing was significantly higher and their attitudes towards older people were more positive than those of students in the comparison group. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the students' knowledge level about ageing.ConclusionsAn educational approach involving older people resulted in encouraging outcomes. It is worth considering whether or not older people could be a valuable resource for nursing education.