New Directions | May 2022
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A Message From the President
We are social beings . . . social networks keep us healthy. Social isolation makes us unhappy and vulnerable to illness. Not a news flash for nurses. So . . . what do we do about it for ourselves, our loved ones, and those we care for? Hopefully more than say “you need to get out.” My mother loved going to get her hair washed and styled weekly at the beauty shop. I now realize that was for the “gossip”! She would always say, “There is so much going on in the world and so much of it needs to stop!” Not sure I “approved” of the “gossip” but it was a ladies’ social circle!
NHCGNE Are Leaders in Excellence
NHCGNE Featured in
Alyce Ashcraft, Ellarene Sanders, and Virtual, Inc.'s Tom Pappas, wrote an article about the impact the pandemic had on NHCGNE and our successful responses to the challenges. The article identifies ways in which organizations must pivot during times of disruption. 

We really enjoyed putting together the story of our past two years and hope it will be of interest to you as well. It is currently available as an online publication and will be in print in June, 2022.
NHCGNE's Nook
Executive Director Financial Update
We are happy to report that we ended 2021 with $29,428.59 revenue above expense. Our months of reserves increased from 11 to 15 due to increased revenue; membership dues, the LC conference, indirects from grants, and PPP loan forgiveness.

We want to emphasize the importance of institutional dues and the annual Leadership Conference, as well as the need to further increase revenue. We will share more later on how we plan to accomplish this for 2022. If you know of a potential new member school, email Ellarene Sanders.
Officer and Board of Directors Succession Planning
This year we will be electing a Vice President, Treasurer, and six Board of Director Positions (Legacy Director, Early Career Director, and 4 Directors). Consider being a NHCGNE Officer or member of the Board of Directors. For further information, please contact Ellarene Sanders.
2022 NHCGNE Leadership Conference: Thriving and Resilience in Gerontological Nursing Leadership
NHCGNE is pleased to announce that the 2022 Leadership Conference will be hosted virtually October 18-2022. Speakers, calls for abstracts and other details will be posted on the conference page. 
NHCGNE Member Spotlight
Dr. Adriana Perez is an Assistant Professor and Senior Fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, and Penn's Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR).

In partnership with Philadelphia Latinx community-based organizations, she designed "Tiempo Juntos por Nuestra Salud," a physical activity program promoting cognitive health, cardiovascular health, and sleep in Spanish-speaking elders with mild cognitive impairment.
Coronavirus and Older Adults
Similar Rates of COVID-Related Acute Kidney Injury Found In Early Adolescents and Older Adults, Study Shows
Acute kidney injury is increasingly recognized as a significant complication caused by COVID-19 infection. Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children’s of Alabama studied the epidemiology of coronavirus-related AKI and discovered peaks in AKI in early adolescents and adults older than 60.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been the assumption that the severity of COVID-19 related illness is linear with age — the older one is, the more at risk they are for severe illness,” said Erica Bjornstad, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine and Children’s Division of Pediatric Nephrology. “Our findings indicated increased risk in both early adolescents and older adults, suggesting factors besides age could be determinants in severity of illness from infection.”
From New York to the Netherlands, the (western) World is Moving on from Omicron. Here’s Where the Big Rollback is Happening
Governments worldwide are starting to reduce or eliminate COVID restrictions, as much of the western world begins to consider living with the virus rather than eradicating it.  

For the past two years, fears of a deadly virus pushed many to willingly adopt different lifestyles and drastically adjust our behavior.

But now, after the Omicron variant’s fast and furious spread through the world, people are experiencing COVID fatigue. Although death rates remain high, some governments are beginning to loosen pandemic-era restrictions.
Distinguished Educator Spotlight
Using Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit to Reduce Health Disparity among Hispanic Women with Cognitive Impairment
Francine Sheppard
PhD, RN, CNE, CDP
Western Carolina University
Greater than half of all people in the United States diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are women (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022a). Hispanics in the United States are 1.5 times more likely than Whites to have some form of dementia (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022b). Overall, older Hispanic women living in the United States have lower literacy and health literacy levels, less money, fewer resources, and high rates of dementia-related comorbidities compared to other ethnicities, and thus are at an amplified risk for dementia (Velasco-Mondragon et al., 2016). Early detection of dementia can be very useful in changing the way the disease is managed by individuals and those assisting in their care. 
Post Stroke Depression
Jill Brennan-Cook
DNP, RN, BC-GERO
Duke University
May is Stroke Awareness Month: Did you know that Post Stroke Depression (PSD) is one of the most common complications of a stroke?

Post stroke depression (PSD) is the most frequent psychiatric complication of stroke, affecting approximately one third of all stroke patients (Cai et al., 2019). Nurses must be aware of the risk factors for PSD to mitigate its effects and educate family members. Risk factors for PSD include a history of depression or family history of psychiatric disorders, prior stroke or large multiple strokes, certain lesion locations, higher severity of stroke, severe functional disability, cognitive impairment, social isolation, and female sex (Medeiros et al., 2020; Shi et al., 2017). Adverse PSD health outcomes can be severe, leading to decreased functional status and quality of life, and increased mortality risk and caregiver role strain (Guo et al., 2022; Medeiros et al., 2020). Worsening depression associated with PSD can exacerbate post stroke recovery and rehabilitation, negatively affecting recovery time and long-term survival prognosis. 
“I Miss Being Able to See People”: Loneliness and Social Isolation of Older Adults During COVID-19
Janice Palmer
PhD, RN, CNE, NHA
Webster University
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 2021) defines loneliness as: “the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact. Social isolation is a lack of social connections. Social isolation can lead to loneliness in some people, while others can feel lonely without being socially isolated”. Researchers using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) found that 24% of community-dwelling older adults in the U.S. are socially isolated, and most at risk are those that are older, unmarried, and with lower education and lower income (Cudjoe, et al., 2020). Both the CDC (2021) and the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021) describe social isolation and loneliness of older adults as a public health concern. Although this worry pre-existed the COVID-19 pandemic, the call for older adults to stay home and to adopt social distancing measures escalated concern.  
Check Out This Great Read!
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the use of pet or animal‐assisted therapy in care and nursing homes as a type of non‐pharmacological therapy that can provide sensory enhance‐ ment and facilitate social contact (Bernabei et al., 2013; Eachus, 2001; Odendaal, 2000; Virues‐Ortega, Pastor‐Barriuso, Castellote, Poblacion, & de Pedro‐Cuesta, 2012). Research assessing the impact of animals on the health and well‐being of older people in residential care, including persons with dementia, has shown positive benefits in terms of companionship and engagement, along with reductions in depression and improvements in behavioural problems (Filan & Llewellyn‐Jones, 2006; Richeson, 2003; Virues‐Ortega et al., 2012). However, due to concerns regarding hygiene and safety, the limited availability of appropriate animals and the inability of care homes to meet the needs of living animals, pet therapy may not always be a suitable or viable option. Robotic animals that mimic living animals and respond to human interaction may offer an alternative therapy.
NHCGNE Partnerships
HIGN Partnership with NHCGNE
We are proud to announce our new partnership with Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing. This partnership allows both organizations to provide benefits, opportunities, and collaborative activities that facilitate achievement of our missions. Together, we can promote outreach to a broader network of nurses interested in promoting the quality of care provided to older adults. 

NHCGNE Members will receive the following benefits:
  • 25% discount on HIGN Summer Scholars Program.
  • 50% discount for NHCGNE faculty at member institutions on customized package(s) of HIGN online learning resources.
Gerontological Certification Review Course
Created by HIGN, the Gerontological Certification Review Course is a collection of 13 individual, interactive online modules developed by NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing faculty and featuring the latest content to date.

These modules review knowledge of geriatric nursing and can be used with conventional test preparation for the ANCC Gerontological Nursing Certification Exam. 
Behavioral Health in Primary Care 

Free Courses and Case Studies! 

Topics in the BHPC Series Include: Depressive Disorders, LGBT Diversity Inclusion, Risk Screening, Social Determinants of Health, Substance Use Disorders, and Trauma-Related Disorders
 
Appropriate for RNs, LPNs, and other members of the interprofessional team. With each course, you will receive 0.5-1.5 Continuing Education Credits for nurses.
JNP: The Journal for Nurse Practitioners is planning a special issue in January 2023 to update diagnostic and treatment information for nurse practitioners (NPs) about aging and health. If your clinical practice area or research involves these matters, we invite your submission for this issue.

We are interested in papers on promotion of healthy aging and prevention (primary, secondary, and tertiary) and management of conditions that present in older adulthood.
 
We are seeking feature articles (4500 words total) and brief reports based on pilot studies or QI projects, program evaluations, or policy issues (2500 words total), as well as NP education topics related to advanced practice gerontological nursing curricular innovations. 

Manuscripts should be submitted no later than June 1, 2022. Authors should follow the Guide for Authors and submit papers at www.editorialmanager.com/TJNP/default.aspx.

Send queries to Editor in Chief Julee Waldrop at jwaldropjnp@gmail.com.
Join us June 2-3, 2022 for the Research Intensive Workshop presented virtually by the College of Nursing. Obtain CE credits while you improve your intervention research skills and learn how to earn more grant funding! Our experts are nationally renowned, seasoned NIH-funded researchers from disciplines including nursing, molecular biology and public health. In this workshop, the essential elements of designing, conducting, analyzing and funding intervention research will be taught in a user-friendly format. Special discounts for all Ohio State affiliates and students are available. Please visit our website to learn more and register for the event.
Scholarship Opportunities
University of Washington Post Doc Fellowships
The University of Washington, School of Nursing has a history of developing nursing scientists in the care of older adults. We are pleased to announce two Postdoctoral Fellowships in Gerontological Nursing to start Fall 2022. Funding is provided from private donors. The purpose of the postdoctoral positions is to prepare individuals for research careers in universities. The postdoctoral fellow will be supported for one year of training with a second year of funding available based on satisfactory progress in the first year.

All application materials are to be addressed to Basia Belza, PhD, RN, FAAN, FGSA, Director of the de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging and submitted in Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/102133. Deadline for first consideration is Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 5:00 pm/PST.

Questions about the position and/or application process can be directed to Ms. Heather Wicklein Sanchez, Manager, de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging, at agingctr@uw.edu.
Graduate Gerontology Healthcare Certificate
PhD Scholarships $150,000 University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
The Reynolds Center of Geriatric Excellence, Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center announces $150,000 PhD Scholarships for full-time PhD study in Nursing, with a focus in adult and older adult healthcare. The Scholarship offers up to three years of support with a value of $50,000 per year for tuition and fees, conference travel and a monthly living stipend. The PhD Program is online providing strong individual mentorship with visits to campus for intensives. For more information, visit the following website:
or contact Dr. Denise Short at denise-short@ouhsc.edu or 405-271-2428
Academic Opportunities
Multiple Tenure-Track or Tenured Positions Now Available
The Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis seeks multiple tenure- or tenure-track faculty at the rank of assistant, associate or full professor. The school also invites applications from research teams of two or more faculty with productive, collaborative research programs.
We seek applications from candidates with productive programs of science and commitment to scholarship that aligns with the School of Nursing mission and research priorities:

  • healthy aging and family caregiving across the life span
  • health equity, social justice and health promotion in diverse populations
  • healthy systems and enabling technologies

We invite applications from scholars with research programs that intersect with more than one of these areas.

In addition to conducting research, successful candidates teach in one or more of the school’s four programs: Master’s Entry Program in Nursing, Physician Assistant Master of Health Services, Doctor of Nursing Practice—Family Nurse Practitioner and the Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership Doctor of Philosophy programs. The school especially seeks candidates with experience teaching qualitative research methods or health informatics.

For more information
If you are interested in more information, please send an email with your questions to
Stephanie Lagala at sdlagala@ucdavis.edu.

Please review the full position description, which provides guidance on the application requirements and recommendations to strengthen your application at nursing.ucdavis.edu/ourteam/join.
Tenured Associate or Full Professor 2021-22
The School of Nursing at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) seeks applications for full-time, tenured Associate Professor or Full Professor faculty position. An Endowed or Term Chair is available.

We seek a senior nurse scholar/leader, with a funded program of research, focused on clinical or population science (e.g., a program focused on social determinants of health which can contribute to national health policy discussion). Preferred areas of scholarship include palliative care, psych-mental health or aging. Advanced practice preparation is important, but not essential.
Candidates must meet the academic and scholarly credentials to qualify for a tenured appointment at UCLA at either the Associate or Full Professor rank, including an earned PhD in Nursing Science, a defined program of research, and evidence of teaching and service excellence. Rank and salary will be commensurate with background and experience. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2022
Assistant Dean for the
Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program
The University of Utah, College of Nursing is seeking a qualified gerontologist for an administrative faculty appointment as an Assistant Dean for the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program (GIP). This position will combine leadership, teaching, and scholarship in the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program. The College of Nursing’s GIP includes an interdisciplinary MS program with a baccalaureate minor and graduate and baccalaureate certificate options.
NHCGNE Ads
Your generous donation will be instrumental in the development of new programs such as our new grant program, products and services that will enable us to sustain our efforts in strengthening gerontological nursing development and leadership. 

The importance of your contribution cannot be overstated. In addition to all the work that you already do on behalf of older adults, this gift further demonstrates your personal commitment to prepare our country with a competent gerontological nursing workforce. 

NHCGNE is a 501(c)3 organization and you can claim a deduction on your federal taxes.
Say it with "Got Content"!
Next New Directions Content Submission Deadline:
July 2022
Deadline: June 20, 2022 (Publish July 8)
Newsletter submissions should be sent to NHCGNE Staff at info@nhcgne.org with 
NHCGNE New Directions Submission in the subject line. 
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