In December 2012, the Hartford Trustees endorsed a final proposal to the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) creating the National Hartford Centers of Gerontological Nursing Excellence.
This new collaborative entity consists of the eight Hartford centers of geriatric nursing excellence, their sister center at the University of Oklahoma funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, and the coordinating center at GSA.
The mission of the National Centers is to enhance and sustain the capacity and competence of all nurses to work in partnership with others to provide quality care to older adults through:
- promoting faculty development
- advancing nursing science for older adults
- facilitating adoption of best practices
- fostering leadership
- designing and shaping policy
To do this ambitious work, the National Hartford Centers need all hands on deck. Therefore, they are creating a membership model to enable schools of nursing nationwide to increase their geriatrics strength to produce nurses with the skills to care for our aging society.
Annual fees for interested schools are $3,000 and the benefits are numerous:
Membership in the Hartford family. Members have the opportunity to network with the best and brightest in gerontological nursing and participate as a member institution in the collaborative initiatives of the National Hartford Centers, representing the Gold Standard in gerontological nursing with numerous gero opportunities for scientists and institutions.
NEXus. As a member institution, you will receive discounted participation fees for the Nursing Education Xchange (NEXus) program, annual webinars, and consultancy. The NEXus catalogue includes access to more than 150 PhD and DNP courses in 10 topical clusters, including nursing education and gerontology and geriatrics. A potential savings of $3,000-plus.
Discount to Nursing Leadership Conference. The Annual Leadership Conference leverages the expertise of Dr. Angela Barron McBride and other award-winning leaders in aging to support, strengthen, and challenge future health care leaders from inter-professional disciplines together with nurses, social workers, and physicians. The conference brings the leadership novice and expert together to address pressing issues in health care. Annually, two free conference registrations are awarded per member school and there are substantial discounts to others attending from the same school. A potential savings of $1,000.
National Pre/Post-doctoral Training Award Program. Members receive preference in a highly competitive grant program supporting Patricia G. Archbold Predoctoral Scholars and Claire Fagin Postdoctoral Fellows for up to two years of academic support at a total cost of $100,000 and $120,000, respectively. A 10 percent match is required.
Consultancy/Partnership. Membership provides access to the most distinguished leaders in aging and gerontological nursing. Consultant services are for support of research, curriculum, program review, and teaching to promote quality care for older adults. Two hours of free consultation via SKYPE are available annually to member schools (one hour preparation and one hour services). A potential savings of $500.
Discounts. Deep discounts are available on conferences, use of organizational mailing list, job board, as well as certificate program in gero-psychiatric nursing. A potential savings of $500.
Member Institution Support Exclusive. Membership includes access to National Hartford Center Directors for program review, online continuing education units, webinars, and teaching resources to include conferences and case studies. A potential savings of $2,000.
If these benefits alone don’t sell you, perhaps these nursing deans will:
Having a Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence has been a tremendous asset for our students and faculty. It has allowed them to network with the brightest minds in gerontological nursing across the country. Being affiliated with the National Hartford Centers opens all kinds of opportunities for collaborative research that will improve the care of older adults.
Dean Paula Milone-Nuzzo, PhD, RN, FAAN
Hartford Center of Geronotological Nursing Excellence
Penn State University
Membership in the National Hartford Centers is a strategic value-added method to accelerate the development of new and current faculty who specialize in care of older adults.
Dean Lazelle Benefield, PhD, RN, FAAN
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Providing appropriate health care for our elderly will be one of the most important challenges facing the U.S. health care system during the 21st century. Society needs well-prepared providers with experience and clinical skills grounded in rigorous scientific work. The National Hartford Centers of Gerontological Nursing Excellence supports this work to ensure that all nurses entering the profession are prepared to care for older adults using the best practices in elder care.
Dean Catherine L. Gilliss, PhD, RN, FAAN
Duke University
Memberships are available now. It is time for your institution to join the Hartford Centers. Your university, faculty, students, and our aging population will all benefit as a result.
For more information, email Dr. J Taylor Harden at the National Hartford Centers at GSA.