An innovative approach to preparing nursing students for care of the elderly in the home

Nurse educators must prepare future nurses for the increasing number of elderly requiring care in community-based settings. This quasi-experimental study examined the outcomes of a geriatric home care simulation experience for senior community health nursing students (n = 56). The experience included a home care visit to an elderly diabetic client using a high-fidelity human patient simulator as well as a geriatric home safety assessment exercise. Results indicated students were satisfied with the experience and that it had a positive impact on confidence, but no differences were found between groups in terms of learning. Additional analysis using Spearman’s rho found outcomes of satisfaction and self-confidence were significantly correlated (rs=.378–.605) with simulation design, especially the provision of student support and a challenging problem to solve. Results provide nurse educators with evidence for developing geriatric simulation education experiences for preparing new graduates to care for the increasing number of elderly who desire to age in place.