The NDSU Department of Nursing is co-sponsoring the first “GERO Nursing Conference: Geriatric Education for Reframing Outcomes,” scheduled for Friday, April 11, at the Dakota Medical Foundation, located at 4141 28th Ave. S. in Fargo. Conference funding is provided by Partners Investing in Nursing Gerontology Consortium Project, Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future, Northwest Health Foundation and Dakota Medical Foundation.
The conference is designed to provide educational and networking opportunities for nurses interested in enhancing the care of older patients. Attendees also will discuss strategies to facilitate a positive culture change in the workplace through mentoring experiences for student nurses.
"We are very excited about offering this unique educational opportunity for all nurses interested in providing quality care to older adults,” said Jane Strommen, North Dakota Partners In Nursing Gerontology Consortium project coordinator and Extension gerontology specialist. “North Dakota has a rapidly aging population and there will be a strong need for a nursing workforce that is well-prepared to care for our older citizens.”
Loretta Heuer, NDSU professor of nursing, said, “This conference will provide nurses the opportunity to share and learn evidence-based geriatric best practices that will help them meet the goal of excellence in nursing care for older adults and their family members in North Dakota.”
Christine Muller, professor and associate dean for academic programs at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker. She will discuss “From Competencies to Outcomes: Nursing Care of Older Adults.” Her talk begins at 9 a.m.
At 10:30 a.m., Lois Ustanko, Sanford Health, Fargo, and Vicki Teske, Minnesota State University Moorhead nursing department, will present “Reducing Heart Failure Hospital Readmissions: Are You Prepared?”
Becky McDaniel, NDSU assistant professor of nursing, will discuss “A 3D Look at Confusion in the Elderly,” at 12:30 p.m. A panel discussion on “It Takes a Village: Getting Results by Working Together” is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. A Gallery Walk is scheduled for 2:45 p.m.
There is a $25 registration fee for the conference. Pre-registration is recommended by March 28. For more information, visit www.ndsu.edu/pin or contact Strommen at jane.strommen@ndsu.edu or 701-231-5948 or Heuer at loretta.heuer@ndsu.edu or 701-231-8205.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.