Prepared nurses adequately with sufficient knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes towards elderly
improve patient outcomes such as reduced hospital length of stay, reduced readmission rates, and
therefor patient and family satisfaction. Aim: This study aimed to examine the effect of geriatric
nursing course on nursing students' knowledge, attitude regarding caring elderly. Design: A quasi
experimental design (pre-posttest) was utilized. Setting: This study was conducted at faculty of
nursing in Shebin Elkom City, Menoufia University. Sample: convenient sample consists of 371
students enrolled in the fourth year, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University. Tools of data
collection: Tool (1): Structured interviewing questionnaire: It was developed by the researchers.
Tool (2): The Attitudes toward Old People Scale (Kogan, 1961). Tool (3): Perceived Job
Satisfaction (Everly and Falcion, 1976). Results: there was improvement in student' knowledge and
attitude toward elderly after implementation of geriatric nursing course. Conclusion: The present
study has indicated that providing a geriatric nursing course had a positive effect on the attitude
toward the elderly and was particularly effective in decreasing the negative attitude of students. In
addition it increase student' knowledge level and can make students consider working as a nurse
caring for elderly. Recommendations: There is a need to revise the nursing curriculum and develop
innovative schemes that will increase the students' willingness to work with the elderly. Effective
use of mass and social media in order to raise awareness and to change negative attitudes toward
elderly. Give a chance for nursing students to be more contact with care of elders through clinical
practice.