Learning Objective #1: Identify innovative approaches for interdisciplinary transatlantic gerontologic nursing education

Learning Objective #2: Describe an international curricular model for gerontologic nursing education

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Introduction: Aging is an issue that transcends international borders impacting social and economic structures, politics and health care. The rising population of older adults globally will have profound implications for health care delivery. Collaborative efforts between nurses in European countries and the United States are needed to effectively prepare nurses to care for this population. Purpose: The purpose of this project, funded by the Fund for Post Secondary Education (FIPSE) and the European Commission (EC), is to create an international interdisciplinary gerontologic model for nursing education to promote collaboration of students and faculty between three European Commission partners ( University of Kalmar, Sweden; University of Padua, Italy; and University of Ulster, Northern Ireland) and three partners in the United States (Otterbein College, Ohio; Hampton University, Virginia; and East Tennessee State, Tennessee. Methods: The project includes student/faculty exchanges and the delivery of an international interdisciplinary geriatric nursing education program to each of the participating partners through distance learning methodologies. The geriatric nursing education program includes culture and language preparation through interactive video conferencing, an international on-line interdisciplinary course on aging, and clinical experiences in the host country. Student attitudes toward aging are assessed before and after the experience through the use of the AGED Inventory, the Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ) and the Facts on Aging Mental health Quiz (FAMHQ). Results: Over a two year period a total of 30 students and 12 faculty participated in the exchange. Student attitudes toward aging were more positive after participating in the program. The model developed for this project demonstrates an innovative approach to transatlantic gerontologic nursing education.