Transforming aged care through online modules, mentorship, and community support

Professor Traynor’s journey into gerontological nursing began with a profound commitment to improving the quality of healthcare services for older people. Motivated by the challenges she observed, she sought to create impactful change through education and development.

The GNCs Program was developed in response to the Australian Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, with the aim of bridging the gap between the high demand for qualified nurses and available resources. UOW’s vision was to create a pathway for newly graduated registered nurses, transforming aged care into a compelling career choice with ample opportunities for growth.

The program’s foundation is an innovative curriculum, carefully developed in collaboration with industry partners over several years. Anchored in the principles of person-centred care, it equips graduates with essential competencies to excel in the evolving aged care landscape.

A standout feature of the program is its blended learning approach, integrating synchronous workshops with asynchronous online modules. Over the six to eight-month course, learners are paired with experienced mentors, providing guidance and support throughout their transformative journey.

Key to the program’s success is its assessment strategy, guiding learners from theoretical understanding to practical competence through five progressively challenging assessments:

‍Mentoring Agreement: Establishes a formal collaboration framework between mentor and mentee.

Self-Assessment: Encourages reflection on confidence levels across gerontological nursing competencies.

Action Plan: Learners outline strategies to enhance their competencies through targeted activities.

Mapping Evidence: Requires learners to map evidence generated from their action plan activities to the competencies.

Portfolio: Summarises key learnings through reflection and practice, demonstrating overall competency.

At the heart of the Gerontological Nursing Competencies Program at the University of Wollongong lies a commitment to fostering a supportive community of learners. Utilising the innovative OpenLearning pedagogy, the program creates an environment conducive to collaboration, growth, and shared learning experiences.

Learners engage in community-building exercises through interactive activities. Whether it's sharing personal stories, discussing key concepts, or collaborating on case studies, learners connect with peers to form a network of support and camaraderie.

The program's workshops, both synchronous and asynchronous, serve as focal points for community engagement. Facilitated by instructors and mentors, these sessions provide opportunities for in-depth discussions, group activities, and individualised support tailored to each learner's needs.

Inclusivity and accessibility were a key consideration in the creation of this course because 76% of participants are new graduate registered nurses who were born overseas where English is not their first language. Features such as transcripts for videos, alternative text for images, and simple language explanations ensure that all learners can fully participate and benefit from the educational experience.

Through community building and the OpenLearning pedagogy, the Gerontological Nursing Competencies Program empowers participants to not only develop essential skills but also to forge lasting connections within the aged care community, fostering a culture of collaboration and support that extends far beyond the confines of the program itself.

The success of the GNCs Program is evident in its outcomes. Since its launch in 2021, the program has produced 219 graduates and established a network of 52 mentors. The increasing demand for the program, including its integration into onboarding processes for new graduates, reflects its success. Graduates have advanced to higher positions within aged care organisations, demonstrating the program’s impact.

Testimonials from both graduates and mentors speak to the program's profound impact. Graduates are thankful for the skills and confidence they've gained to work in aged care. Mentors are proud to see how their mentees have grown and become leaders in the field. Their comments show how the program supports people in their careers and builds a community of caring professionals dedicated to helping older people.

As the program continues to evolve, its impacts extend far beyond the online course and resembles more of a learning community. Managers and executives are invited to observe their employees' growth, fostering a sense of pride and investment in talent development within the aged care sector.

Feedback from both learners and mentors highlights the program’s effectiveness:

Graduate: "For me, it was quite inspiring ... I felt a bit privileged to even have a mentor who has given me so many different visions and helped me to focus on my career, and where I want to be in the future as well."

Mentor: "Mentoring through COVID-19 was such a challenging, and probably the most rewarding, experience ... The experience was an honour, and all of my mentees have completed and moved on to leadership positions. I am so proud of them."

In a world where the ageing population continues to grow, the need for skilled gerontological nurses has never been more urgent. Through the Gerontological Nursing Competencies Program, the University of Wollongong is leading the charge, transforming aged care one nurse at a time.