Midwest Geriatric Nursing Quality Improvement

Vetter Foundation

UNMC College of Nursing, Vetter Health Services, Inc., Nebraska Health Care Foundation, Nebraska Methodist Hospital, NYE Senior Services, Tabitha Health Care Services, Golden Living, Iowa West Foundation, the Gilbert M. and Martha H. Hitchcock Foundation, UNMC College of Nursing Class of 1960 (in memory of classmate Nancy Schneckloth), and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska. Organizational partners include the Nebraska Health Care Association, the Nebraska Geriatric Education Center, and the Nebraska Center for Nursing.

Glenn Van Ekeren, Co-PI, gvanekern@vhsmail.com, (402) 895-3932

Mary Cramer, Co-PI, mecramer@unmc.edu, (402) 559-6617

Joani Schelm, Finance Director, jschelm@vhsmail.com, (402) 895-3932

Beth Culross, Project Manager, bculross@unmc.edu, (402) 559-3680

Marilyn Valerio, Career Ladder Coordinator, Marilyn.valerio@methodistcollege.edu, (402) 354-7027

Roger Beins and Peggy Fairbanks, Leadership Academy Co-coordinators, (402) 895-3932

September Stone, Leadership Academy Co-Coordinator, septembers@nehca.org, 402 435-3551

Linda Sather, Nurse Executive Faculty, lsather@unmc.edu,

(402) 559-6616

Deb Conley, Gerontology Faculty, Deborah.Conley@nmhs.org,

(402) 354-4661

Brief Project Synopsis: 

Our project focuses on geriatrics and leadership. We will deliver continuing education in gerontology and leadership using a high-tech e-learning format. We will invite 96 RNs working in our funding partners’ long term care facilities to participate in one of six 10-wk sessions in Gerontology. Sixty RN managers/administrators in our funding partners’ facilities will also be invited to participate in a 10-wk continuing educational session for Nurse Executive. We are providing for our participants new laptop computers that are equipped with cameras and headsets because the learning will be delivered distance and involve interactive and live sessions. RNs completing our course(s) will have gained improved computer skills and will be prepared to pass ANCC certification in Gerontology and/or Nurse Executive. 

We are also creating a Geriatric Leadership Academy for graduates of our Nurse Executive education offering. Academy members will be led by an Advisory Committee composed of our PIN partners. Members of the Academy will write best practice standards for long term care management. The Academy will recognize and reward outstanding nurse leadership in long term care and there will be a website for member networking and mentoring.

Our PIN partners will form a Career Ladder Council whose purpose will be to develop a financial incentive program for RNs based on educational advancement. Our PIN Partners will implement the ladder in their own facilities and market this through the Nebraska Health Care Association’s website and annual conferences.

We believe that this three-pronged approach of educating RNs, rewarding them financially for advanced education, and promoting excellent leadership will improve the quality of geriatric care in Nebraska. We also believe it will improve RN recruitment, retention, satisfaction, and work environment in long term care facilities. We are confident that the success of this effort in our funding partner institutions will spread beyond Nebraska and neighboring states.

Project Goals and Objectives:

• Increase the geriatric and management competencies of RNs and RN administrators working in Nebraska’s long-term care facilities through web-based Continuing Education.
• Create a Geriatric Leadership Academy to promote continuing excellence in long-term care administration
• Promote collaboration with sponsoring partners to develop a Career Ladder incentive program in long-term care for RNs based on educational advancement.