Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontology
The College of Nursing at the University of Rhode Island offers a Master of Science degree with a gerontological nursing area of emphasis. Its purpose is to educate clinical nurse specialists in gerontology to provide expert nursing care to older adults at all levels of health and illness, and in multiple health care settings, through roles in advanced clinical practice, education, leadership, consultation, and research. This curriculum provides the educational preparation required for ANCC certification.
CURRICULUM
The curriculum for the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontology is 41 semester credit hours: 14 credits in nursing core courses consisting of concepts and theories in nursing practice, research, leadership, and role development. In addition, students take 15 credits of advanced gerontological nursing theory courses (6 credits) and practicums (9 credits) and 9 credits of support courses consisting of advanced physical assessment, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and one elective (3 credits) in gerontology. The program culminates with a written comprehensive examination and the submission of a substantial scholarly work involving significant independent study which is referred to as the major paper. This requirement is an extension of work completed from prior coursework in the master's program.
REQUIRED NURSING CORE COURSES (14 credits)
NUR 500 Theoretical Study of the Phenomena in Nursing (4 credits)
NUR 505 Nursing Research (3 credits)
NUR 507 Theories of Practice for Nursing (3 credits)
NUR 510 Advanced Leadership in the Health Policy Process (3 credits)
NUR 520 Graduate Study Seminar (1 credit)
REQUIRED COURSES FOR CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALIST IN GERONTOLOGY (15 credits)
NUR 555 Advanced Gerontological Nursing I (3 credits) Study of theories of aging, age-related changes and health needs of healthy older adults and those with minimal functional limitations using problem-strategy-theory approaches to nursing knowledge.
NUR 556 Practicum in Advanced Gerontological Nursing I (3 credits) Study of major problems and issues in advanced geron-tological nursing through provision of nursing care to healthy older adults and those with minimal functional limitations.
NUR 557 Advanced Gerontological Nursing II (3 credits) Analysis of theoretical and empirical knowledge necessary for care of frail older adults and those with complex health problems and functional limitations within acute and long-term care settings.
NUR 558 Practicum in Advanced Gerontological Nursing II (6 credits) Development, evaluation and revision of theory-based strategies for selected nursing problems through provision of nursing care to older adults with multiple chronic and acute illnesses and functional limitations.
SUPPORT COURSES (9 credits)
NUR 503 Expanded Nursing Assessment Skills (3 credits) Expansion of nursing assessment skills, including health history taking and physical, psychological, and social assessment skills.
NUR 535 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits) Clinical decision making based on synthesis of in-depth study of pathophysiology across the life span.
NUR 582 Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits) Integration of pharmacotherapeutics, decision making, and pathophysiology for primary health care.
SUGGESTED GERONTOLOGY ELECTIVES
HDF 520 Developmental Issues in Later Life
HDF 527 Health Care Policy and the Elderly
HDF 421 Death, Dying and Bereavement
HDF 555 Gerontological Counseling
HDF 431 Family and the Elderly
SOC 438 Aging in Society
HSS 530 Multidisciplinary Health Seminars for the Elderly
CLINICAL PRACTICE
Clinical practice is available in a variety of settings - hospitals, clinics, home care agencies, day care centers, subacute units, and long-term care facilities.
Preceptorships and/or faculty guidance is provided by advanced practice nurses and course faculty. Students care for clients with increasingly complex needs and expand their roles to include collaboration, education, research, and leadership as they progress in the program. The practicum experiences are planned with the student, taking into consideration the student's interest, learning needs and employment plans.
CERTIFICATE OPTION
The post-master's certificate option consists of courses totaling a minimum of 18 credits including NUR 555, 556, 557, 558.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Admission to the Graduate School.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Two letters of recommendation (academic and professional).
- Curriculum vita.
- Completion of MAT or GRE with a satisfactory score.
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing or the National League for Nursing with an upper-division major in nursing.
- Eligibility for R.N. licensure in Rhode Island.
- Undergraduate statistics course prior to NUR 505.
- Registered nurses with non-nursing baccalaureate degrees will be evaluated on an individual basis. Completion or challenge of upper-division nursing courses is required prior to acceptance into the master's program.
For further information contact:
Patricia M. Burbank, D.N.Sc., R.N.
College of Nursing
University of Rhode Island
White Hall, 2 Heathman Road
Kingston, R.I. 02881-2021
401-874-5314 / pburbank@cox.net
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