Adult-Gerontological Nursing I

Catalog description

Credits: 3 This course is designed to provide the student with a foundation in theoretical and empirical knowledge from which to guide advanced nursing practice for community based clients across the age continuum from young adulthood to old age. Health assessment skills developed in NURS 502/611 are expanded with the introduction of evaluative tools used in comprehensive adult and geriatric assessment. Emphasis will be placed on health promotion, health prevention and maintenance of function and quality of life in the context of the normal aging process. Psychological, physiological, sociological, cultural, and developmental issues of normal aging will be examined through a life course perspective. Consideration of health behaviors will be guided by national health objectives and health promotion/wellness models. Availability, accessibility, and economic feasibility of health care resources will be addressed. Exploration of multidisciplinary research findings will be integrated into classroom and clinical experiences. The clinical portion of this course requires approximately 4 hours per week for a total of 60 hours in the practice setting. The course is designed to promote professional and interprofessional interactions and cooperative learning through activities and assignments shared with students from other care disciplines. Prerequisites: NURS 502, NURS 518 & NURS 600; Corequisite: NURS 519 & NURS 514 (NP); or NURS 519 & NURS 556 (EDUC); or NURS 519 & NURS 550 (CNS).