NURS 129 Gerontological Nursing

2 credits

A course introducing the nursing student to concepts and processes of assessment, care and health promotion for the older adult. Students will explore the nurse role as change agent in the planning and delivery of care in the older adult.

Prerequisites: NURS 111 NURS 112.

Quarters Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring

Global Outcomes:
This course teaches to the global outcome of Intercultural Appreciation.

Student Outcomes/Competencies:
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Holistically care for self, patients, colleagues, and community within an ethical, legal, and diverse framework within the scope of practice of the RN
- Recognize individual diversity and unique needs in establishing teaching strategies, focused client health, and wellness promotion (QSEN: Patient Centered Care) (GO: Intercultural Appreciation, Communication, Critical Thinking)
Demonstrate competency in educating and communicating with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and systems with a focus on quality health care promotion and functional patient centered outcomes
- Explain and discuss healthy aging, gerontological nursing history, education, and nursing roles in gerontology (QSEN: Patient Centered Care) (GO: Intercultural Appreciation, Communication, Critical Thinking)
- Compare and contrast differences in culture, aging, and communication with the older adult (QSEN: Patient Centered Care) (GO: Intercultural Appreciation, Communication, Critical Thinking)
- Identify the changes in the aging process with respect to the physical, psychological, cognitive, and social aspects of aging (QSEN: Patient Centered Care) (GO: Intercultural Appreciation, Communication, Critical Thinking)
Implement the nursing care process to demonstrate safe, competent and evidence-based care within a variety of settings using appropriate tools and technologies
- Discuss promoting health, using Gerontological assessment tools, and medication management (QSEN: Informatics, Evidence-based Practice, Patient Centered Care)
Utilize clinical reasoning skills to synthesize patient assessment data, scientific knowledge, and pharmacology to safely manage a rapidly changing health care status
- Explain aging in coping with chronic disorders, in caring for older adults and their caregivers and continuity of care (QSEN- safety, teamwork and collaboration) (GO: Intercultural Appreciation)
Provide leadership to effectively collaborate and delegate with the elderly patient, family, interdisciplinary, systems administration and the wider community

Total Hours: 30 Lecture Hours: 10 Lab or Clinical Hours: 20