Resources for Improving Clinical Experiences in U.S. Nursing Homes: Filling a Gap in Nursing Education

Purpose: Despite national and international calls to improve the preparation of our long-term care workforce, educators themselves often lack the necessary competencies for professional practice in nursing home settings. A pilot study of the Revisiting the Teaching Nursing Home initiative was designed to evaluate the initial outcomes of the academic/practice partnership and to offer direction for improving the educational experience faculty provide to students in the nursing home. Methods: Qualitative findings were used to respond to faculty and student-identified educational needs. Results: Faculty and students identified lack of educational resources that provide the necessary competencies to deliver quality care in nursing homes. Conclusion: Resources that help nursing faculty achieve a quality educational experience were compiled by experts and practitioners in the field. These resources are described and help ensure that our future workforce can meet the complex challenges that are the responsibility of the profession.