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Theoretical background: In the light of the demographic trends, the need for health care of older people is expected to increase. Quality health care for older people can only be achieved by personnel with undergraduate and postgraduate knowledge in working with the elderly and by reducing ageism in the society. Method: Descriptive quantitative study was conducted by the research team of the College of Nursing Jesenice in June 2010, in a convenience sample of nursing students (n = 61) and clinical mentors (n = 40). We used validated and widely used instruments: Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ1), Kogan’s Attitudes Toward Old People Scale (KAOP), Nolan’s Perceptions of Working with Older People (PWOP). Data were processed with the statistical package SPSS 20.0. Results: We found a low level of general knowledge on old people in our studied sample. Students achieved on average 44.6 % correct responses and clinical mentors 48.7 %. The results have shown the presence of ageism (incorrect responses reflect ageism). 82.1 % of clinical mentors and 55.9 % of students expressed interest to work in nursing of older people. More interest to work with older people was expressed by respondents who had more positive attitude (r = 0.206, p = 0.047) and Master’s students (r = -0,299, p = 0.023). The majority of students (94.5 %) had no negative life experience with old people. The more positive experiences they had, the greater was their desire to work with older people (r = -0.297, p = 0.029). We found that clinical mentors were more aware of the importance of specialised training within gerontological nursing .than students. Discussion: Research has shown the lack of knowledge on nursing of older people among respondents and also the presence of ageism. In nursing, specific knowledge and skills in gerontology have to be developed by introducing obligatory and elective courses at all levels of the Bologna study programs. Clinical specialization in gerontology should be introduced after completed higher vocational education. Namely, the study showed the need for the knowledge and skills in gerontological nursing and the presence of ageism. Positive clinical experience of nursing students in working with older people will influence their later decision to work with them.
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