RADFORD – Virginia Burggraf, a Radford University professor in the School of Nursing, recently received a certificate of recognition from Gov. Tim Kaine designating October 1-8 as Gerontological Nurses Week in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Burggraf applied for the governor’s certification on behalf of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Gerontological Nursing Association, a nonprofit association dedicated to promoting excellence in nursing care of older adults.

“This proclamation is a special tribute to the dedicated gerontological nurses in the great state of Virginia and across the nation,” said Burggraf. “This recognition puts gerontological nursing on a larger scale and makes consumers aware that nurses who work in long-term care are significant.”

Training in the field of gerontological nursing is becoming increasingly imperative in the area: according to Burggraf, approximately 15 percent of the New River Valley population is over the age of 65. 

“The evidence of the past 30 years suggests that geriatric nursing will be a force for continued improvements in care to older adults during the next decade,” said Burggraf. “There is good evidence that, in the future, older adults are more likely to be cared for by a nurse who has received special preparation in geriatrics.”

Burggraf is working diligently to ensure that gerontological programs receive the proper funding needed to respond to the increased demand of gerontological nurses. She recently submitted a grant proposal for RU and received more than $78,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration. The grant was utilized to fund the second year of a comprehensive geriatric nursing program. Burggraf is also spearheading an effort to provide future long-term care education at RU, including an online course as well as a geriatric nurse practitioner program.

Burggraf is encouraging all gerontological facilities in Virginia to display the Gerontological Nurses Week certificate. A copy may be purchased at a minimal cost through Burggraf at (540) 831-7714 or vburggraf2@radford.edu