A plan for staff development in gerontologic nursing.

Although aging of the population is evident and increased use of health services by the elderly is well-documented, the knowledge base of acute-care nurses in gerontologic nursing may be insufficient. Nursing staff development educators are in a strategic position to respond to this deficit. The approach used by an 800-bed Veterans Administration Hospital to determine the gerontologic learning needs of its nursing staff and a plan to meet these needs is reported. Recommendations for other organizations that plan to provide staff development in gerontologic nursing are offered.