Entry-to-Practice Gerontological Care Competencies for Baccalaureate Programs in Nursing

Entry-to-Practice Gerontological Care Competencies Overview

• Purpose: Core competencies guiding new registered nurses in Canada for older person and family care, influencing education and curriculum.

• Background:

  • Canadian population is aging (e.g., life expectancy: $79$ years for men, $83$ years for women in $2017$; increasing centenarians), necessitating evidence-informed, person-centered, holistic care across settings.

• Competency Development:

  • Modified Delphi approach for consensus; revised via expert panels and national validation.

• Core Competencies:

  1. Understanding Aging:

     • Address ageism and promote therapeutic relationships (consistent with CNO Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationship standard) with older persons.

     • Integrate cultural safety, developmental considerations, and adaptive communication strategies (CASN ETP - Gerontological Competency 1.5) to address age-related changes.

     • Collaborate respectfully with patients and families for optimal person-centered care planning, advocating for self-determination in care decisions (consistent with CNO Code of Conduct principles).

  2. Health Assessment:

     • Conduct holistic, evidence-based assessments, utilizing interviewing for subjective data collection, and applying communication principles effectively.

     • Identify and respond to age-related health changes, risks (e.g., polypharmacy), and potential mistreatment/abuse (e.g., emotional, financial, neglect, physical, sexual) in older persons (CASN ETP - Gerontological Competency 1.11), ensuring safe and effective care as it relates to interviewing.

     • Provide support for family caregivers and facilitate care transitions, upholding confidentiality and privacy of personal health information (CNO practice standard).

  3. End-of-Life Care:

     • Advocate for self-determination in care decisions and provide comprehensive support during the dying process and for grieving families.

     • Engage in nurse self-care post-care events.

• Socio-Cultural Considerations:

  • Recognize unique needs of culturally diverse and Indigenous populations, integrating cultural considerations into communication.

  • Address barriers to care for older adults in rural, marginalized communities, and challenging communication situations.