Gerontological Nursing – Postgraduate Diploma
Program Details
Postgraduate Diploma in Gerontological Nursing
Overview
Program Summary
If you are an internationally educated nurse and interested in geriatrics, this postgraduate diploma will prepare you to effectively work with older adults, promoting wellness and enabling health.
The geriatric population is the fastest growing health cohort around the world. Currently 70 per cent of all patients in Canada are elderly. Registered nurses must have specialized knowledge and training to effectively educate, assess and care for these older people.
This Postgraduate Diploma in Gerontological Nursing will give you the tools and skills to meet the complex physical, social, environmental, cognitive and spiritual needs of the elderly.
You will be given the chance to have intercultural exchange between graduate nurses from other countries and on-campus BSN students. This will promote rich dialogue about nursing approaches, philosophies and global health needs.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Identify the roles, scope and required skillset of registered nurses in Canada
- Synthesize theories and principles of health, wellness, aging and geriatric care
- Apply critical thinking, decision-making and clinical reasoning skills
- Interpret research findings in order to provide evidence-based gerontological care
- Apply entry-to-practice level leadership techniques/strategies when working within the inter-professional gerontological care team
- Communicate effectively and efficiently in various formats to a variety of stakeholders, consistent with professional expectations
- Apply the basic principles of culturally sensitive and client-centred care
- Conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner in academic and work-related environments
- Formulate strategies to support lifelong learning in one’s personal nursing practice
- Apply strategies for registration with the BC Care Aid Registry and BC College of Nurses and Midwives
Program Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
In addition to meeting the general entrance requirements for admission to Selkirk College, applicants from countries outside of Canada must meet the following requirements:
- B.Sc. Nursing degree / GNM Diploma from a recognized nursing school with English as a primary language of instruction.
- Registration with a national/provincial/state nursing association
- IELTS 6.5 overall with no band score lower than 6.0 and reading band score 6.5
Additional Requirements
- One letter of reference from current or previous employer
- Resumé/CV with a minimum of 900 hours nursing experience within the last five years
- Completed immunization forms
Graduation and Promotion
Satisfactory completion of all courses in the semester with a minimum grade of 60% and cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher each semester is required for promotion.
Program Courses
Term 1
Required courses
| EASL066 | College Preparation - Research Writing | 3.00 | 60 |
| GNUR399 | College Orientation | 2.00 | 30 |
| GNUR430 | Introduction to Gerontological Nursing | 3.00 | 45 |
| GNUR431 | Introduction to Health Care Practice in Canada | 3.00 | 45 |
| GNUR432 | Interpersonal Communications | 3.00 | 45 |
Term 2
Required courses
| GNUR440 | Physical Aging and Chronic Disease Management: Part I | 3.00 | 45 |
| GNUR441 | Basic Skills and Physical Assessment | 3.00 | 45 |
| GNUR442 | End of Life Care | 3.00 | 45 |
| GNUR443 | Delirium, Dementia and Depression in the Elderly | 3.00 | 45 |
| GNUR444 | Clinical Practice in Complex Care | 5.00 | 160 |
Term 3
Required courses
| GNUR530 | Physical Aging and Chronic Disease Management: Part II | 3.00 | 45 |
| GNUR532 | Professional Nursing in the Canadian Health Care System | 3.00 | 45 |
| GNUR533 | Introduction to Nursing Leadership | 3.00 | 45 |
| GNUR535 | Nursing Registration Readiness I | 3.00 | 45 |
| MHAD502 | Mental Health and Addictions | 3.00 | 45 |
Term 4
Required courses
| GNUR525 | Clinical Practice in Community & Acute Care | 5.00 | 160 |
| GNUR540 | Physical Aging and Chronic Disease Management: Part III | 3.00 | 45 |
| GNUR542 | Clinical Skills and the Older Adult | 3.00 | 45 |
| GNUR545 | Nursing Registration Readiness II | 3.00 | 45 |
Additional Program Policies