Building academic geriatric nursing capacity: 2000–2005—A look back and the vision for the future

Article Outline

• The Scholar & Fellow Awards Program
  • Scholars’ and Fellows’ Successes
  • Leadership Development
  • Coordination and Partnership
  • Looking Ahead
• Copyright

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• Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, FAAN

America is growing older at an unprecedented rate. The number of people 65 and older is larger than ever before, and those 85 and older constitute the fastest growing segment of the population. When the baby boom generation enters its senior years, between 2010 and 2030, it is projected that one in five Americans will be over 65.

—American Geriatric Society

The good news is that many of these older Americans continue to work, travel, and volunteer—long past formal retirement age—challenging our traditional notions of “old age.” Many keep healthy through a combination of diet, exercise, and other healthy habits. Many others, however, face chronic and sometimes complex health problems. With advancing age, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular disease can worsen. The incidence of cancer increases. Because of their large numbers, these aging Americans will test the capacity of the nation’s healthcare system to address their needs. We must pass this test. To do otherwise would place some of our most vulnerable and venerable Americans in grave jeopardy.

Nurses will play a pivotal role in strengthening the capacity of the healthcare system, in making sure we pass the capacity test. Our role, however, is optimized when nursing research and science informs practice and delivery of care. Research can also lead the way toward health care system improvements that better serve an aging population. Now, more than ever, we need not only gerontology nurse practitioners, but also faculty and scholars. Fortunately, the John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) has recognized the centrality of nurses to the care of older adults. Since 1996, JAHF has committed more than $60 million toward the preparation of gerontology nurse researchers, educators, and practitioners. In 2000, JAHF launched a multi-million dollar Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity (BAGNC) Program that supports 5 Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence as well as a Scholars Award Program coordinated by the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) under the direction of Patricia Archbold, RN, DNSc, FAAN. Together, these programs prepare nurses to meet the needs of aging Americans.

In September 2005, JAHF renewed its commitment by awarding the AAN a $10.5 million grant that sustains the scholars and awards program and also paves the way for new collaborative efforts among the 5 Centers. These collaborations will lead to sustainable improvements in nursing schools and health care systems. In addition, renewal funds will help develop leadership capacity and a geriatric nursing research agenda that strengthens the scientific basis for elder care across nursing specialties.

The BAGNC program has attracted additional partners committed to improving care for the elderly. In 2004, the Atlantic Philanthropies of New York City infused support into the Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards and now supports 50% of all selected Fellows. At the same time, the Mayday Fund provided additional funding for selected Scholars and Fellows who focus on the study of pain in the elderly. Together, these 2 philanthropies have provided an additional $3.3 million.

The record of success in recruitment, leadership development, and collaboration includes:

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The Scholar & Fellow Awards Program 

Scholars’ and Fellows’ Successes 

Leadership Development 

Coordination and Partnership 

Looking Ahead 

From 2000–2005, BAGNC generated a swell of interest and contributed to improvements in geriatric health care. The program built capacity by: (1) funding pre-doctoral scholars and post-doctoral fellows, who are the faculty and management leaders of the future, (2) coordinating centers of excellence at 5 of the nation’s top schools of geriatric nursing, and (3) building interdisciplinary research competencies in academic geriatric nurses.

For 2005–2011, the BAGNC will continue to fulfill its mission by addressing the following goals:

Honoring, protecting, and revering our elders—making sure the healthcare system meets their needs—will require us to head in many new directions. This, however, is as it should be. After all, “If we do not change direction, we may end up at the point at which we are heading.” (Old Chinese proverb). Through concerted effort, we continue to build academic geriatric nursing capacity, thereby strengthening care for older Americans.