A variety of learning experiences

Gerontological Nursing – Postgraduate Diploma

Program Details

Length: 2 years

Total Credits: 60

Intake Terms: Fall

Campus: Castlegar

Student Loans: This program is not eligible for student loans

Credential Received

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:

  1. Identify the roles, scope and required skillset of registered nurses in Canada
  2. Synthesize theories and principles of health, wellness, aging and geriatric care
  3. Apply critical thinking, decision-making and clinical reasoning skills
  4. Interpret research findings in order to provide evidence-based gerontological care
  5. Apply entry-to-practice level leadership techniques/strategies when working within the inter-professional gerontological care team
  6. Communicate effectively and efficiently in various formats to a variety of stakeholders, consistent with professional expectations
  7. Apply the basic principles of culturally sensitive and client-centred care
  8. Conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner in academic and work-related environments
  9. Formulate strategies to support lifelong learning in one’s personal nursing practice
  10. 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

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours

Required courses

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours
EASL066College Preparation - Research Writing

3.00

60
GNUR399College Orientation

2.00

30
GNUR430Introduction to Gerontological Nursing

3.00

45
GNUR431Introduction to Health Care Practice in Canada

3.00

45
GNUR432Interpersonal Communications

3.00

45

Term 2

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours

Required courses

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours
GNUR440Physical Aging and Chronic Disease Management: Part I

3.00

45
GNUR441Basic Skills and Physical Assessment

3.00

45
GNUR442End of Life Care

3.00

45
GNUR443Delirium, Dementia and Depression in the Elderly

3.00

45
GNUR444Clinical Practice in Complex Care

5.00

160

Term 3

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours

Required courses

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours
GNUR530Physical Aging and Chronic Disease Management: Part II

3.00

45
GNUR532Professional Nursing in the Canadian Health Care System

3.00

45
GNUR533Introduction to Nursing Leadership

3.00

45
GNUR535Nursing Registration Readiness I

3.00

45
MHAD502Mental Health and Addictions

3.00

45

Term 4

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours

Required courses

CodeTitleCreditsTotal Hours
GNUR525Clinical Practice in Community & Acute Care

5.00

160
GNUR540Physical Aging and Chronic Disease Management: Part III

3.00

45
GNUR542Clinical Skills and the Older Adult

3.00

45
GNUR545Nursing Registration Readiness II

3.00

45

Additional Program Policies

Effective Term:

Grading Table: