Literature Review

Gerontological nursing essentials for BSN students: Meeting aging population needs Nevada State | RN to BSN; 10/9/25 An aging population is transforming healthcare delivery, and nurses are increasingly called to address the complex needs of older adults. For students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), learning the essentials of gerontological nursing provides the foundation to deliver compassionate, effective care. This specialty emphasizes not only clinical expertise but also communication, cultural competence, and advocacy for patient dignity. Explore what defines this field, the role of an adult gerontology nurse practitioner, and the pathways available to see how they can shape the future of elder care. Editor's Note: How is your organization supporting career growth for all staff members? While this article focuses on the RN-to-BSN pathway with a gerontological nursing emphasis, consider expanding professional development opportunities across your entire workforce—clinical and non-clinical alike. For example: 

Nevada hospice provider launches first-of-its-kind palliative care in Las Vegas education program ABNewswire; by Summerlin Hospice and Palliative Care; 9/29/25 Summerlin Hospice and Palliative Care has announced the launch of an innovative educational initiative designed to increase awareness and understanding of specialized comfort care services throughout Nevada. ... Summerlin Hospice and Palliative Care has developed partnerships with local medical centers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to maximize the program’s reach and effectiveness. These collaborations ensure that educational resources reach diverse populations throughout the Las Vegas Valley and surrounding Nevada communities.

Exploring the opportunities and mitigating the challenges of Artificial Intelligence in nursing education Delaware Nurses Association; by Kristine Gawrych, Ed.D., RN; 9/22/25 The recent and rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have generated both excitement and concern in higher education. Opportunities for AI in nursing education can be transformative, including simulation, accessibility, and personalized learning. Just as the opportunities can be transformative, concerns such as bias, privacy, security, and ethics must be given due consideration. Nurse educators must understand enough about AI to effectively maximize its benefits and mitigate the challenges when preparing future nurses. ... Nurse educators must educate themselves on this ever-evolving technology to be able to develop strategies to mitigate the challenges of AI. 

Holistic nursing in BSN programs: A patient-centered approach Nevada State University; 9/9/25 ... Holistic care in nursing reflects a broader vision, encouraging nurses to see patients as whole people rather than conditions to be managed. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs are responding by weaving holistic care into both coursework and clinical experiences. From teaching cultural sensitivity and ethics to encouraging self-care, these programs prepare nurses to build stronger relationships with patients while promoting healing on multiple levels. The result is a patient-centered approach that benefits individuals, families, and communities alike.

The tangled web of nurse education Becker's Clinical Leadership; by Mariah Taylor; 8/29/25 In the last few years, hospital leaders have been faced with a tangled web of needs: easing nurse shortages, retaining nurses, and helping all pursue their career dreams. Their solutions all come down to nurse education. Health systems have been taking a more active role in providing, supporting and building out nurse education programs in universities and as part of employee benefits. However, they still face a number of complex issues.  Editor's Note: What types of career ladder systems and support to you have in place, especially for your aides to move into nursing and to grow nurses into leadership roles? What universities or online education systems can you utilize? What personalized educational assessments and plans to you include in your employees' regular Performance Reviews? For nonprofits, what donor/grant-driven programs do you have, or might you start to support career ladders for your clinical employees?

Make training more effective with microlearning and AI Training Industry; by David Resendes; 8/20/25 When people think of microlearning, it’s often viewed as a tool for reinforcement of longer form training, something used after the main event to help employees retain what they’ve learned. And while microlearning is incredibly effective in that role, it’s time to expand that view. ... More organizations are using microlearning as the primary delivery mechanism for critical learning content. When designed intentionally, it’s one of the most engaging, effective ways to introduce concepts, drive early understanding and encourage immediate application.

Fear of death may undermine hospice care preparedness for future nurses McKnights Long-Term Care News; by Donna Shryer; 8/6/25 A new study from Central South University in China examined the relationship between nursing interns’ attitudes toward death and their attitudes toward hospice care. ... The researchers found that most nursing interns held a “neutral acceptance” view of death, defined in the study as the belief that death is a natural part of life. This attitude was significantly associated with more positive views toward hospice care. ...  The study also reported that interns who held stronger fear-based or avoidance-based death attitudes scored lower on all six hospice care subscales, including communication and family support.

Simulation, flipped classroom, and reflective dialogue in socioemotional training in end-of-life care: Perspectives of nursing students Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing (HPNA); by María Lanza, Rebeca Abajas, Mar Aparicio Aparicio, Ángeles Melero, Carmen Ortego; 8/1/25The implementation of active methodologies in end-of-life education can play a crucial role in stimulating participatory learning and facilitating the acquisition of socioemotional competencies. ... From the students’ perspective, simulation, reflective dialogue, and flipped classroom enhance the conceptual learning process and facilitate students’ socioemotional preparation to face this complex and challenging professional situation. Editor's Note: Today’s tech-savvy nursing students show that simulation, reflective dialogue, and flipped classrooms build the person-centered qualities hospice and palliative care need. Use these methods—inside and outside the classroom—to improve patient/family care, teamwork, and self-care. For more information: 

New curriculum - Enhance your pain management skillsCAPC email; 7/16/25Pain is one of the most common and distressing symptoms for patients living with a serious illness, significantly impacting quality of life. CAPC’s new Pain Management: Relieving Suffering and Reducing Risk unit combines our previous two pain units into one streamlined, comprehensive training, incorporating the latest best practices in evidence-based pain management.

SCC launches Practical Nursing Program for high schoolers The Mount Airy News, Dobson, NC; Press Release; 7/19/25 Surry Community College is implementing a Practical Nursing program designed specifically for high school students. This initiative allows students to earn healthcare certifications, gain hands-on experience, and enter the workforce sooner —all while completing their high school education. This program offers a wide range of benefits for students and the community. High school students can simultaneously earn college credit and professional credentials through dual enrollment, setting them on a direct path toward a career in nursing. 

BAYADA, ECPI University partner to alleviate nursing shortage with joint training, $355,000 in scholarships NBC News KXAN, Columbia, SC; by ECPI University; 7/9/25 BAYADA Home Health Care, the nation's largest independent, nonprofit home health care provider with a legacy of 50 years of compassionate, excellent, and reliable care, has granted ECPI University $355,000 to help combat the nursing shortage in South Carolina. The state is hurtling toward the fourth largest shortage of registered nurses in the US, with over 19% of positions unfilled by 2037, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. BAYADA and ECPI University have joined forces to educate and train aspiring nurses with a new scholarship program. Nursing students at ECPI University's Columbus campus who work 20 hours per week at BAYADA are eligible to receive up to $10,000 in scholarship funds toward their pursuit of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) certifications through BAYADA's Advance to LPN Scholarship Program.

Students organize death café to discuss the inevitable Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT; by Brad Thomas; 6/27/25 The annual event gathered more than 50 students and faculty from assorted disciplines for meaningful conversations about death and dying. ... [Student Jillian O'Brien '25] helped organize the second annual Death Café during her final semester at Fairfield. She and her classmates in “End-of-Life Communication,” an interdisciplinary course taught by Michael Pagano, PhD, wished to build on the success of last year’s event by continuing to create a space for meaningful conversation about death and dying. At the event, they led thoughtful table discussions about how their perspectives and ways of communicating about death have evolved.

The skills and habits aspiring CEOs need to build Harvard Business Review (HBR) - Leadership; by Vasundhara Sawhney; 6/12/25 It’s no secret that today’s business environment is volatile and unpredictable. ... CEOs have a fresh set of challenges that the standard management playbook is ill-equipped to address. As a result, many are heading for the exit. According to one survey of U.S. companies, nearly 2,000 CEOs announced their departures in 2024—the highest total on record. At the same time, executive recruiters report that fewer people are interested in, or ready to, replace these exiting CEOs. ... [We] reached out to three experts ... [and] specifically asked: What skills and behaviors should aspiring CEOs prioritize on building now to thrive in an increasingly complex world? And how can organizations support them in building these skills? Here are their answers, edited for clarity. ...