GNP Advanced Certificate: Program Requirements

Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP) Programs | GNP Advanced Certificate
GNP Advanced Certificate: Program Requirements | Master of Science GNP
Master of Science GNP: Program Requirements

Required Courses: (33 credits)
NSG 501	Normal Aging	3 cr.
NSG 503	Health Assessment of the Elderly	2 cr.
NSG 503L	Health Assessment of the Elderly (Practicum)	2 cr.
NSG 504	Introduction to Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Roles	1 cr.
NSG 504L	Introduction to Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Roles (Practicum)	2 cr.
NSG 511	Clinical Practicum I (Theory)	1 cr.
NSG 511L	Clinical Practicum I (Practicum)	3 cr.
NSG 513	Advanced Pharmacology for the Elderly	3 cr.
NSG 514	Clinical Decision Making and the Elderly I	4 cr.
NSG 516	Clinical Decision Making and the Elderly II	4 cr.
NSG 603	Clinical Practicum II (Theory)	1 cr.
NSG 603L	Clinical Practicum II (Practicum)	4 cr.
NSG 608	Health Care Economics, Finance, and Leadership	3 cr.

 

GNP Advanced Certificate Course Descriptions

NSG 501 Normal Aging (3 credits)

The purpose of this course is to examine the normal changes that occur with the aging process. The implications of these changes will be explored as they relate to health promotion, maintenance and disease management.

NSG 502 Theoretical Perspectives for Gerontological Nurse Practitioners (3 credits)

The focus of this course is the study of the nursing, physiological, psychological, sociological, cultural, spiritual, developmental, historical, economic, and political theoretical perspectives and explanations which define the needs of the elderly and guide advanced practice of nursing.

NSG 503 Health Assessment of the Elderly (2 credits)

NSG 503L Health Assessment of the Elderly (Practicum) (2 credits)

The focus of NSG 503, the theoretical component of this course, is to expand the advanced practitioner student's skills in the specialized area of health assessment and physical examination of the elderly client. Emphasis will be placed on functional assessment and common pathological conditions. Physiological, social, emotional, psychological, cultural, and spiritual assessment will be included. NSG 503L (8 hours per week, 120 hours per semester) affords the student the opportunity to practice examination skills. The student will examine elderly ambulatory, semi-ambulatory and institutionalized clients throughout the course of the semester. He/she will also learn other skills associated with advanced practice, including but not limited to suturing, wound management, ECG, x-ray, and laboratory test interpretation.

NSG 504 Introduction to Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Roles (1 credit)

NSG 504L Introduction to Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Roles (Practicum) (2 credits)

The focus of this course is to introduce the advanced practice nursing role in providing culturally congruent nursing care to the elderly. The student will be provided with opportunities to observe the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner role, utilize assessment skills, and work with elderly individuals and their families in a variety of environmental contexts. Emphasis is on analysis of clinical decisions made by preceptors and by the student as related to the provision of culturally congruent care to elderly individuals.

NSG 511 Clinical Practicum I (Theory) (1 credit)

NSG 511L Clinical Practicum I (Practicum) (3 credits)

NDG 511 is the theory component to Clinical Practicum I. Within this course topics to be included are: advanced interpretation of ECG and x-rays. Fluid therapy (IV, subcutaneous, central, and mid-level) and feeding tube/nutritional support management are also covered. Components of care of the elderly related to chronic disease management and health maintenance in the face of chronic disease will be stressed. The purpose of NSG 511L (12 hours per week, 180 hours per semester) is to provide the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Student with learning opportunities which promote development of the advanced practice role. Clinical settings will be chosen by the student in collaboration with the faculty and preceptor. Site/sites will be chosen to facilitate achievement of course and student objectives. The student will assume and share responsibility and accountability for management of acute and chronic health problems, as well as promote rehabilitation and health maintenance for elderly clients. Students will participate, when possible, as members of interdisciplinary teams.

NSG 513 Advanced Pharmacology and the Elderly (3 credits)

The focus of this course is the study of pharmacology and its application in the nursing management of elderly clients. This course includes examination of altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics specific to the elderly. Three clock hours of content specific to federal and New York State laws and regulations pertaining to prescribing drugs and record keeping is included.

NSG 514 Clinical Decision Making and the Elderly I (4 credits)

The focus of this course and NSG 516 is an in depth examination of the pathology of complex physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual wellness—to illness responses associated with aging. Emphasis is on critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, and clinical decision making. The incorporation of systematic interrelationships is explored. Systems and topics to be covered in this course are: cardiac, peripheral vascular, respiratory, endocrine/metabolic, gastrointestinal, urinary/reproductive and hematologic/immune problems as well as syndromes associated with infection, women's health, and failure to thrive.

NSG 516 Clinical Decision Making and the Elderly II (4 credits)

The focus of this course is to use Leininger's theory in an in-depth examination of the pathology, pathophysiology, and clinical decisions related to complex acute and chronic illness and efforts to promote holistic health as associated with aging. Emphasis is on transcultural nursing decisions and actions based on critical thinking, diagnostic reasoning, cultural competence, and clinical decision making in diverse health contexts. The influence of cultural and social structure dimensions on holistic health of the elderly will be addressed in this course. The musculoskeletal, neurological, and integumentary systems and associated conditions found with each of these systems will be covered.

NSG 601 Scholarly Inquiry and Research Utilization (3 credits)

The purpose of this course is to promote the student's scholarly inquiry in clinical nursing practice related to the health care needs of the elderly. A variety of modes of inquiry and research methods will be examined. Enhancement of clinical nursing practice through scholarly inquiry will be emphasized.

NSG 603 Clinical Practicum II (Theory) (1 credit)

NSG 603L Clinical Practicum II (Practicum) (4 credits)

The focus of this course is to provide the GNP student with learning opportunities that facilitate mastery of the advance practice role and enable the provision of specialized, culturally congruent nursing care to elderly individuals, their families, and elder groups within the community in and across all environments. Clinical settings will be chosen to facilitate achievement of course and student objectives. The student will be accountable for increasingly independent culturally congruent and competent management of acute and chronic health problems, as well as promoting rehabilitation and health maintenance for elderly individuals. Students will participate as members of interdisciplinary teams.

NSG 608 Health Care Economics, Finance, and Leadership (3 credits)

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a working knowledge of principles and contemporary issues of health care finance as they pertain to primary care of the elderly. Application of principle of ethics and leadership will be introduced and analyzed from a transcultural nursing perspective as they relate to the role of the GNP.

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