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
- Provide person-centred care and assistance that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual client
- Use an informed problem-solving approach to provide care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health and well-being of clients and families
- Provide person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing complex health challenges.
- Provide person-centred care and assistance for clients experiencing cognitive and/or mental health challenges
- Interact with other members of the health care team in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals
- Communicate clearly, accurately, and sensitively with clients and families in a variety of community and facility contexts
- Provide personal care and assistance in a safe, competent, and organized manner
- Recognize and respond to own self-development, learning, and health enhancement needs
- Perform the care provider role in a reflective, responsible, accountable, and professional manner
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:
- Possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree or a Graduate Nurse/Midwife Diploma from a recognized nursing school with English as a primary language of instruction.
- Registration with a national/provincial/state nursing association in their home country and be able to provide documentation
- English Language Proficiency of IELTS test in the last two years. 6.5 overall with no band score lower than 6.0
Additional Requirements
- One letter of reference from current or previous employer
- Resumé or CV with a minimum of 900 hours nursing experience within the last five years
- Completed immunization forms
a) Applicants must submit a completed application form and original documentation of certification and transcripts from previous institutions.
b) Post-graduate nursing practice experience is preferred.
International students must submit a clear police certificate from the country of origin before acceptance, given that students provide care to vulnerable clients within the program’s practicum courses. To avoid potential hardship for students arriving from another country, the police certificate is an admission requirement. For further information, see information provided at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/police-certificates/about.html#pc
APPLICATION PROCESS
See Selkirk International Application process http://selkirk.ca/international/how-apply-selkirk-college.
PRE-PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS
1. Evidence of completion of the following must be submitted to the Program Coordinator before the first practice education experience. All evidence must be current and valid.
a). First Aid Certification
b). CPR Level “C” Certification or Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification with Oxygen Therapy
c). Food Safe Level 1 Certification (or a certificate course deemed equivalent)
d). Completion of the Student Practice Education Core Orientation (SPECO) checklist
e). Completion of the Health Care Assistant Practice in BC E-Learning Modules (Learning Hub)
f). Completion of the Recognizing and Responding to Adult Abuse course (Learning Hub)
g). Completion of Dementia Training Certificate (GPA/Gentle Persuasive Approach)
h). Completion of Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum In-Person Workshop
i). All students must submit a Criminal Record Check (CRC) clearance letter by the Ministry of Justice, including clearance to work with vulnerable adults.
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.
A student who obtains a grade of less than 60% in EASL 066, may be able to re-enroll if the course is offered again during the two-year period when they attend the college, or if eligible complete supplemental work with permission of the Instructor and School Chair.
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 |
| GNUR443 | Delirium, Dementia and Depression in the Elderly | 3.00 | 45 |
Term 2
Required courses
| GNUR432 | Interpersonal Communications | 3.00 | 45 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| GNUR548 | Nursing Practice in Multiple Clinical Settings | 5.00 | 160 |
Additional Program Policies