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Evercare Survey of Graduating High School Seniors Finds Prospective Nurses Lack Interest in Geriatrics Despite Growing Senior Population

Posted on: Wednesday, 1 August 2007, 12:04 CDT

Many recent high school graduates who say they are considering a career in nursing are not interested in geriatrics, but providing them with information about the high demand for geriatric nurses increases their interest in this critical field of health care, according to a new survey by Evercare, a business unit of UnitedHealth Group [NYSE:UNH] that serves people with long-term or advanced illness, who are older or have disabilities, through an innovative care model based on nurses and nurse practitioners.

The Evercare Survey of the Need for Nurses -- The Class of 2007 surveyed members of the high school graduating class of 2007 and found that among those students considering a career in nursing, nearly half had no interest in specializing in geriatrics (48 percent). However, the survey also found that 39 percent of these prospective nurses became interested in geriatric nursing when informed of the high demand for their services.

"As the baby boomers age, few issues will have more impact on the American health care system than the chronic shortage of geriatric nurses," says Dr. John Mach, a geriatrician and CEO of Evercare. "Evercare is committed to cultivating future leaders in the geriatric nursing profession so that today's nursing shortage does not become tomorrow's health care crisis."

The American health care system is struggling with a chronic nursing shortage that experts predict will only worsen in the coming decades. The number of Americans 65 years and older is expected to double to more than 70 million by 2030. Meanwhile, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects there will be demand for more than 1 million more nurses by 2020. In less than three years, 39 states will have definitive nursing shortages.

"With nursing salaries on the rise, employers who are focused on enhancing working conditions, and the rising demand, there has never been a better time for career seekers to pursue professional nursing," said Jeanette Lancaster, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., president of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. "Evercare's research confirms that the more high school graduates know about the many benefits of nursing careers and the shortage of nurses, the more interested they are in entering this terrifically dynamic profession."

"These findings provide valuable insight for Evercare and other organizations committed to delivering high quality care for the nation's growing senior population," said Pat Kappas-Larson, Evercare's senior vice president for professional relations and development. "Nurses and nurse practitioners are at the heart of Evercare's approach to caring for people with long-term or advanced illness, who are older or have disabilities. The insights from this important survey will allow us to enhance our efforts to motivate young people to pursue a career in geriatric nursing."

Evercare is sharing the results of the Evercare Survey of the Need for Nurses -- The Class of 2007 to organizations that represent science teachers and guidance counselors because of the critical role they play in helping high school plan for careers in the medical field. Evercare is also working to promote careers in geriatric nursing through:

Scholarships and Grants. Evercare funds scholarships and grants to build the capacity of students and faculty focused on geriatric care at Hartford Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, founded in 2000 by the John A. Hartford Foundation to enhance the care of older adults through innovations in nursing practice, education, research, leadership, and policy.

Partnerships with Academic Institutions. Evercare provides assistance to numerous academic institutions, including the University of Arizona and the University of Minnesota. Evercare nurses and nurse practitioners serve as adjunct faculty, help develop nursing curriculum focused on geriatric care management and long-term conditions, and participate in research projects that advance health care delivery for seniors.

Mentoring Programs. Evercare nurses and nurse practitioners mentor 150 nursing students across the country, providing valuable insight into the realities and rewards of a career in geriatric nursing.

The Evercare survey also found:

Prospective nurses were overwhelmingly interested in pediatrics (87 percent), neonatal care (68 percent) and obstetrics (65 percent).

One in five students interested in geriatrics shared a desire to help or take care of the elderly (21 percent), and similar percentages reported positive experiences with elderly relatives or nursing home residents (17 percent).

Almost one in four students who are not interested in geriatrics reported being more comfortable or working with children (22 percent). They also cited difficulty dealing with end-of-life issues (12 percent).

The Evercare Survey of the Need for Nurses is a series of three surveys designed to reveal perceptions of the nursing profession and understand what motivates people to pursue careers in nursing. The next two surveys will focus on current nursing students and nurses who have left the profession.

Methodology

The "Evercare Survey of the Need for Nurses -- The Class of 2007" was designed to uncover the perceptions around nursing and what motivates or deters our youth in pursuing a nursing career. Web interviews were conducted with 1,030 members of the high school graduating class of 2007 who planned to continue their education within the next two years. Telephone interviews were conducted among an additional 200 respondents who identified nursing as a career of interest, to reach a total sample size of 1,230. The research was conducted by TRC.

About Evercare

Evercare is one of the nation's largest care coordination programs for people who have long-term or advanced illness, are older or have disabilities. Founded in 1987, Evercare today serves more than 150,000 people nationwide through Medicare, Medicaid and private-pay health plans, programs and services -- from health plans for people in community and skilled nursing settings, to caregiver support and hospice care. Evercare offerings are designed to enhance health and independence, and in the complex world of health care, make getting care easier. Evercare is part of Ovations, a UnitedHealth Group company dedicated to the health care needs of Americans over age 50. For more information about Evercare, call 1-866-772-0859 (TTY 1-888-685-8480) or visit EvercareHealthPlans.com.

Source: Business Wire

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