Does Nursing Education in Turkey Affect the Attitudes Toward Ageing and Elderliness?

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the attitudes of nurse students in Turkey, towards ageing and elderliness and to determine differences in terms of year of study. The study uses a comparative design with data collected from February to March 2020. A random sample of 306 nursing students was selected. A demographic data form and the Attitudes toward Ageing and Elderliness Scale (ATAES) were used to collect data. Of the students, 47.7% reported that they cared for older adults in their clinical practice and 53.6% confirmed that they had successfully completed the theoretical lessons on elderly care. Theoretical education (Hedge’s g = 0.23) and clinical practice (Hedge’s g = 0.34) on elderly care have minimal effects on the attitudes toward ageing and elderliness. Theoretical education and clinical practice as conducted currently in a university in Turkey, failed to improve attitudes toward ageing and elderliness. Keywords: ageing, elderliness, nursing, nursing education, nursing students