UNIT-BASED ACUTE CONFUSION RESOURCE NURSE - AN EDUCATIONAL-PROGRAM TOTRAIN STAFF NURSES

Despite the high prevalence of acute confusion among elders and the im portance of its early detection, there are few reports of systematic e fforts to increase staff competence. This article describes the develo pment and evaluation of an 8-hour educational program designed to prep are staff nurses to perform in a new role, the unit-based acute confus ion Resource Nurse (ACRN). Pre- and posttest scores were obtained for the 80 registered nurses who participated in the program. Paired t tes ts showed that knowledge and confidence significantly increased for pa rticipants as a result of their participation in the educational progr am. This program can serve as an effective model for geriatric staff e ducation.