Field Placement: Hartford Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence
Location: Portland, OR
Preceptor: Patricia Archbold, RN, DNSc, FAAN
Student Name: Kas Adams
Year: 2003

During the summer and into the fall of 2003, I interned at the Hartford Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence (CGNE) at the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Nursing. It was selected as one of five centers for geriatric nursing excellence by the John A. Hartford foundation, Inc in recognition of the School’s national and international leadership in gerontological nursing and for its long term commitment to improving the health and healthcare of older persons through the integration of nursing practice, education, research and policy. My Preceptor was Patricia Archbold, RN, DNSc, FAAN, Director of the Hartford CGNE and Elnora E. Thomson Distinguished Professor.

I participated in several workgroups to address the gaps between knowledge and the application of this knowledge in geriatric practice settings. My primary project was to update the CGNE’s inventory of source material related to standards of care and best practice transfer techniques. My other projects focused on the development and support of community partnerships. I developed a database of nursing home quality data available to the public through the CMS web site for the State of Oregon Best Practice Initiative that centers on moving care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities from an industrial model to a person centered model of care. I co-facilitated the staff retention committee that is developing a model of organizational change that can be used in long-term care settings to enhance the work environment. The long-term goal is to increase organizational capacity to attract, select, nurture and sustain a caring and competent workforce committed to providing the highest standard of care.

Prior to its implementation in the field, I tested a web-based system for assessment, consultation and monitoring of pressure ulcers. The purpose of this project is to develop a cost-effective way to provide remote wound care consultation and ongoing treatment evaluation using distant technology.

The CGNE staff welcomed me as a team member immediately. My preceptor met with me weekly to make sure I got the most out of my internship. Additionally, the theories I learned in CHS were directly applicable to the work I was doing.

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