In-service education for home health aides by home health aides.

Abstract

Gerontological nursing as an emerging specialty is now recognized by all professional nurses as a legitimate professional entity capable of governing the care of older adults through implementation of standards of care. The historical upgrading of care is now reaching its culmination in the newly revised document titled Scope and Standards of Gerontological Nursing as published in 1988 by the Council of Gerontological Nursing of the American Nurses Association. The utilization of these standards should continue to assist nurses in whatever facility they may practice to upgrade the care delivered through partnership with the older adult and their family to a high degree of satisfaction for the consumer and the gerontological nurse practitioner. Expanded knowledge, expertise in skill and care measured by the standards of care are key components in achieving success as a professional nurse and bring pride to the profession of nursing.