Geriatric Scholarships for NP students funded for three years

The Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York has awarded the UB School of Nursing a three year grant to help fund NP student Geriatric Scholarships. The purpose of the grant is to increase Nurse Practitioner interest in and exposure to the special needs of elderly patients (over age 65) including those in the community and those living in assisted and skilled nursing facilities. This grant is seeking to encourage NPs to seek employment in geriatric nursing practices. It is expected that immersion clinical experiences in centers that care for elderly clients will increase nursing skill and interest in working with this target population. The grant also provides for the procuring of visiting scholars in geriatrics to augment the clinical education.

The awards include two educational stipends per year of $3000.00 each for the next three years starting in the Fall of 2012 for a total of 6 stipends.

Those eligible include second year Adult-Gerontology, PMHNP or FNP students in good academic standing who are seeking to gain more clinical knowledge, skills, and exposure to advanced practice geriatric nursing care.

Students interested in this grant need to submit the following information to the Dr. Nancy Campbell-Heider, Chair of the Graduate Department:

·         A short statement (250-500 words) detailing why they are interested in expanding their geriatric nursing skills and how they will use this knowledge in their future practice.

·         A recommendation from their program coordinator.

·         A current CV

·         Degree plan and transcript of completed courses.

·         Agreement to seek employment for at least one year in a setting that cares for geriatric patients.

Grant implementation and learning activities at UB include:

·         Elective course NUR 522 Issues in Geriatric Management (4 credits)

·         Selected clinical placements in geriatric specialty settings when possible (100 hours per semester) for Master’s or DNP students

·         Participation in case presentations, rounds, and other activities related to the Visiting Scholar Program. There are monthly lectures on webinars or in person.

The UB School of Nursing graduate department has developed expected program outcomes related to geriatric core competencies and will provide the grant recipients increased exposure to current standards and issues in the care of Older Adults. The geriatric practice and seminar attendance activities can help stimulate a potential Capstone Project for students in our DNP program. 

For more information please contact:

Graduate Program Chair Nancy Campbell-Heider, PhD, FNP, NP-C, CARN-AP, FAANP

Email: nheider@buffalo.edu

(716) 829-3325.