Case Study Description of Nursing Education Leaders Motivating Baccalaureate Students to Advocate for Older Adults

Given the projected increases in the older adult population (those aged 65 years and older), nurse educators need to prepare baccalaureate nursing students for their responsibilities in advocating for this cohort. Currently, older adults represent the largest group of health care consumers in the United States (Centers for Disease Control, 2013). Entry-level registered nurses represent the largest group of nursing professionals providing care for this growing population (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2010). Nurse educators who have evolved into transformative leaders in advocacy for older adults serve as invaluable resources for their students. Transformational leadership theory provided the theoretical foundation for this single case-study that addressed the research question “How do nurse educators motivate traditional baccalaureate nursing students to advocate for older adults?” Interest in studying the phenomenon of nursing education leaders motivating nursing students to advocate for older adults represents the rationale for the single case-study research approach. The researcher followed IRB approved protocol for data collection and completed an exhaustive process of data analysis that included the techniques of inductive analysis and pattern matching which revealed three themes: consistency, encouragement and vision. Several data sources supported these themes and included direct observations of the participant’s office, the interview and interview transcriptions, an abstract written by the participant detailing the establishment of a Center for Healthy Aging (CHA) at her university and her curriculum vitae. Additionally, the findings supported the propositions of this study which were:

• Nurse educators who role model advocacy for older adults in their clinical practice will continue to serve as role models in nursing education
• Nurse educators serve as role models who motivate their nursing students to advocate for older adults
• Nurse educators who role model advocacy behaviors for older adults encourage students to advocate for older adults

The implications of this study stemmed from the themes that emerged. The themes emphasized the importance of nurse educators acting as role models who encourage their students to advocate for older adults by looking forward and having a vision. Implications for current nurse educators would include a self-inventory of how they role model advocacy behaviors, if at all. Nurse educators need to realize that just by their position, students look to them for guidance and support. When a student appears passionate about older adults, educators need to recognize this and encourage students to become active in policy and program development. This poster will highlight critical aspects of the study.