HGNI New Directions

Welcome to New Directions, a publication of the Hartford Geriatric Nursing Initiative (HGNI). This e-newsletter is designed to inform interested academic and practice leaders, faculty members, students, practitioners, and others about the work of the HGNI and provide the latest news and information relevant to geriatric nursing.

In This Issue

1. Nursing Highlights at AGS Meeting
2. Gerontology Faculty Development Institutes: Apply Online
3. Opportunities, Resources & Tools
4. Announcements
5. Link of the Month: The State of Aging and Health in America 2007

1. Nursing Highlights at AGS Meeting

The annual meeting of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) will take place May 2-6, 2007, in Seattle, WA. In addition to the Nurses Section Breakfast on Friday, May 4th from 7:30am-9:30am, highlights include:

Wednesday, May 2, 1:00–5:30 PM
Treatment of Chronic Wounds in Geriatric Patients: From Bench to Bedside and Beyond
Introduction to Products and Technologies for Healing of Chronic Wounds
Elizabeth A. Ayello, PhD, RN, CWOCN, FAPWCA, FAAN

Thursday, May 3, 12:00-2:00 PM
Facilitating Surrogate Decision-Making for Older Patients
Difficult Situations with Surrogate Decision-makers
Sarah E. Shannon, PhD, RN

Thursday, May 3, 3:00–4:30 PM
Symptom Clusters in Older Cancer Patients: Nursing Perspective
Marylin J. Dodd, RN, PhD, FAAN

Saturday, May 5, 11:15 AM–12:45 PM
Medication Reconciliation during Transitions in Care
Reconciling Medications in Massachusetts: Report of a Statewide Patient Safety Initiative
Paula R. Griswold, MS, and Alice F. Bonner, BA, BSN, MSN

Saturday, May 5, 12:45–2:45 PM
Clinical Challenges in Long-Term Care
Moderator: Jean K. Pals, RN, BC, BSN

The Sexuality Saga: Dementia Residents, Freedom of Sexual Expression and the Treatment of Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors in Long-Term Care Settings
Jean K. Pals, RN, BC, BSNM

For more information or to register, visit: www.americangeriatrics.org.

2. Gerontology Faculty Development Institutes: Apply Online Now!

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is now accepting online applications for the upcoming Faculty Development Institutes offered through the Foundation-funded Geriatric Nursing Education Consortium (GNEC). GNEC is an innovative national initiative to enhance geriatric content in senior-level baccalaureate courses. Administered by AACN, this program provides nursing educators with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to ensure that the "best geriatric practices" are imbedded in baccalaureate curricula and subsequently in the clinical care provided by newly educated nurses. Using a "train-the-trainer" approach, nurse faculty attending the GNEC institutes are expected to serve as leaders and mentors by sharing their new expertise with colleagues. Institutes are scheduled for June 27-29, 2007, in Portland, OR (filled); October 3-5, 2007, in Atlanta, GA (Application deadline: May 21, 2007); and February 27-29, 2008, in San Antonio, TX; and October 8-10, 2008, in St. Louis, MO. For more information or to apply, visit: www.aacn.nche.edu/gnec.htm.

3. Opportunities, Resources & Tools

LAST CHANCE TO APPLY!
Hartford Institute Geriatric Nursing Research Scholars Program: Applications Due April 6, 2007
The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing at New York University College of Nursing has once again gathered nationally recognized faculty from partnering institutions and national geriatric and nursing organizations to present the 2007 Geriatric Nursing Research Scholars Program. Twelve scholars will attend a week-long, intensive seminar at New York University. The goals of the program are to foster successful programs of gerontologic research with significant implications for practice, assist in the refinement of a program of important research, hone specific research skills, and gain a competitive edge for funding. The cost for the seminar, materials, and housing is underwritten by a generous grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation and supported by the BAGNC of the American Academy of Nursing (AAN). A flyer, application, and sample schedule are available at: www.hartfordign.org/research/scholarsFellows/index.html.

For additional information, contact Dr. Elizabeth Capezuti at: ec65@nyu.edu.

AAN/Hartford Nurse Leader Award in Aging
The American Academy of Nursing (AAN), in partnership with The John A. Hartford Foundation, announces the AAN/Hartford Nurse Leader Award in Aging. The award is designed to recognize leadership and significant achievements, contributions, productivity, competence, and mentorship in the field of aging. The award is open to AAN Fellows and non-Fellows who hold or have retired from positions of leadership in gerontological nursing including healthcare, research, education, politics, and public service.

The nomination must be made by a current Fellow of the academy. A completed online nomination form, support letter, and CV are required by May 1, 2007. Additional information and the online nomination form are available at: www.aannet.org/awards/2007_nurseleader.

Questions about this award should be directed to: Taylor_Harden@nih.gov.

Nursing Science Centers in Self-Management or End-of-Life Research: Building Research Teams for the Future
The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) invites applications to establish Nursing Science Centers in Self-Management or End-of-Life Research: Building Research Teams for the Future (P20). The purpose of the proposed grant program is to plan and develop sustainable interdisciplinary, biobehavioral research capacity for scientists conducting self-management or end-of-life research at schools/colleges/departments of nursing by enabling development of research infrastructure and centralized resources in support of these research programs.

Letters of intent are due April 10, 2007. Applications are due May 10, 2007. For the full RFA, visit: grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NR-07-004.html.

NIH Launches Program for Innovative New Investigators
The National Institutes of Health has launched a special program to fund new investigators who propose highly innovative research projects that could have an exceptionally great impact on biomedical or behavioral science. The NIH Director's New Innovator Award offers grants of up to $1.5 million in direct costs over five years.

The application period opens on April 25 and closes on May 22, 2007. NIH expects to make at least 14 awards in September 2007.

New investigators who have not yet obtained an NIH R01 or similar grant are eligible to apply. Applicants must hold an independent research position at an institution in the United States and must have received a doctoral degree or completed a medical internship and residency in 1997 or later.

Application instructions are at: grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-07-009.html.

More information on the NIH Director's New Innovator Award is at: grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/innovator_award.

ANF Nursing Research Grant Program Application-Available Online Only
The American Nurses Foundation (ANF) Nursing Research Grants Program application is now available online only. This program provides funding to beginner and experienced nurse researchers to conduct studies that contribute toward the advancement of nursing science and the enhancement of patient care. Awards are given in all areas of nursing, including health patient outcomes, healthcare policy development, critical care, gerontology, women's health, community and family intervention. The 2007 deadline is May 15. Additional information and application forms can be accessed at ANF's Nursing research grants program page: nursingworld.org/anf/nrggrant.htm.

Try This! Assessment Series from The Hartford Institute
The Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale
The assessment of functional status is critical when caring for older adults. The Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale is an excellent instrument for assessing independent living skills, many of which can decline as a result of normal aging changes, acute illness, worsening chronic illness, and hospitalization. For more information or to read additional issues in the Hartford Institute Try This series, visit: www.hartfordign.org/publications/trythis/issue23.pdf.

Coming Soon! Try This in Spanish!

Cancer in Elderly People: New Report from the Institute of Medicine
The Institute of Medicine has released “Cancer in Elderly People: Workshop Proceedings,” summarizing presentations from a 2006 National Cancer Policy Forum workshop addressing a variety of elderly cancer patients’ issues, including cancer rehabilitation, caregiving, economics of cancer, and end-of-life care. To read the report online or download a free PDF please visit: www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11869.

4. Announcements

The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing at NYU Celebrates 10 Years The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing at NYU recently celebrated its ten year anniversary. In these years, the Institute has “enhanced the profession of nursing to the point where geriatric competence is becoming the standard.” To read more about the Institute’s celebration and see the timeline that illustrates its work, visit: www.hartfordign.org/about/hartford_10years.html.

Hartford Fellow Receives New Funding
Margaret H. Crighton, 2005-2007 Hartford Fellow, recently received full funding from the Oncology Nursing Society Foundation for her project "Neutropenia Symptoms: Communication and Self-Monitoring."

5. Link of the Month: The State of Aging and Health in America 2007

The State of Aging and Health in America 2007 was released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Merck Company Foundation at the 2007 Joint Conference of the American Society on Aging and the National Council on Aging in March 2007.

This comprehensive report is intended for a variety of audiences committed to improving and preserving the health of older adults, including public health and aging professionals, policymakers, and researchers. The 2007 report updates a similar report released in 2004 and is designed to present information and data from a variety of sources in a straightforward, easy-to-read format.

The State of Aging and Health in America 2007 presents the most current national data available on 15 key health indicators for older adults related to health status, health behaviors, preventive care and screening, and injuries. The “State-by-State Report Card” provides similar information for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, and enables states to see where they are on each indicator as well as in relation to other states. For the full document, visit: www.cdc.gov/aging/saha.htm.

Write to Us

We are committed to creating a monthly publication that serves your needs and interests. New Directions, therefore, welcomes your feedback and encourages you to supply ideas, stories, resources, news, and other content for subsequent issues. To make a contribution, please contact Pamela Dudzik at: pdudzik@aannet.org, Debbie Latimer at dlatimer@aacn.nche.edu, or Elaine Gould at elaine.gould@nyu.edu.

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