The aging patient population is creating important challenges for all of health care, but for the nursing profession particularly. Funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation, the Hartford Geriatric Nursing Initiative (HGNI) was created to meet these challenges.

The HGNI is a dynamic collaboration of:

A unique, multi-faceted initiative, the HGNI enhances the care of older adults through innovations in nursing practice, education, research, leadership and policy.

Promoting state-of-the-art care

Older adults often suffer from complex health care problems and chronic illnesses. The HGNI is helping to create aging-savvy nurses that improve clinical outcomes and enhance quality of life. Research has already demonstrated that nurses—independently, and in well-coordinated health care teams—can improve the treatment of a variety of diseases and optimize the care of older adults.

Encouraging better education

At schools of nursing, knowledge about aging is fundamental to preparing the current and next generation of nurses. This gero-expertise, expanded through a variety of HGNI projects, will create a nursing workforce matched to the needs of aging patients.

Enhancing specialty nursing

For clinicians, educators, and researchers already in the profession, aging can be integrated into virtually every nursing specialty—from mental health to cardiology. Cross-discipline opportunities promoted through the HGNI can enable specialists to enrich their practice, research, and teaching.

Building leaders for today—and tomorrow

The HGNI is spearheaded by current and future academic and clinical nurse leaders in geriatrics and gerontology. They have the theoretical knowledge and practical experience to strengthen our health care systems today and throughout the 21st Century.

Informing policy

Finally, the HGNI is ensuring that more aging-savvy nurses are well prepared and positioned to help shape new state and national policies that improve the care of older adults.