Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
The College of Nursing at the University of Rhode Island offers a Master of Science degree with a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner area of emphasis. Its purpose is to educate gerontological nurse practitioners capable of providing primary health care to older individuals and families in a variety of health care settings. This program is fully funded by the HRSA, Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Nursing.
Curriculum
The Gerontological Nurse Practitioner curriculum consists of courses totaling 42 semester credit hours. Of these, 14 credits are in nursing core courses consisting of theories and concepts in nursing practice, research, leadership, and role development. In addition, 28 credits in the area of primary health care and related courses are required. 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 Nursing Education (28 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 508 - Expanded Nursing Assessment Skills: Geriatrics (1 credit)
Application of expanded nursing assessment skills to older adults.
NUR 561 - Gerontological Primary Health Care Nursing I (3 credits)
Theoretical knowledge and skills for the development of nursing strategies in analyzing, managing, and preventing health-related problems of older adults.
NUR 562 - Practicum in Gerontological Primary Health Care Nursing I (3 credits)
Clinical application of knowledge and skills of NUR 563.
NUR 563 - Gerontological Primary Health Care Nursing II (3 credits)
A theoretical study for the development of nursing competency in gerontological primary care practice.
NUR 564 - Practicum in Gerontological Primary Health Care Nursing II (6 credits)
Clinical application of theoretical knowledge and skills of NUR 565.
NUR 535 - Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nurses (3 credits)
Clinical decision making based on synthesis of in-depth study of pathophysiological phenomena across the life span.
NUR 582 - Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice Nursing (3 credits)
Integration of pharmacotherapeutic and decision-making theories with human pathophysiology.
NUR 590 - Directed Study and Practice in Advanced Clinical Nursing (3 credits)
In depth study and supervised clinical practice in a specialized area of gerontological nursing.
Clinical Practice
Clinical practice is available in a variety of settings - hospital clinics, community health centers, health maintenance organizations, long-term care agencies and private offices in both urban and rural settings.
Preceptorship on a one-to-one basis is provided by gerontological nurse practitioners. Students manage a patient caseload with increasing independence as they progress in the program. The practicum experiences are planned with the student, taking into consideration the student's interests, learning needs, and employment plans. The student has the option of focusing on preferred areas of gerontological practice later in the program.
Certificate Option
The post-master's certificate option consists of courses totaling 28 credits (NUR 503, 508, 535, 561, 562, 563, 564, 582, 590).
Transportation
A car is necessary to reach the various clinical practice locations in the cities and rural areas. A local bus service connects the University to most major health service facilities, shopping, and service centers, but the bus routes and schedules may not always be convenient for the graduate student.
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.
graduate student links
graduate degree programs
- Nursing Education
- Clinical Specialist in Psychiatric/ Mental Health (ON HOLD)
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
graduate student contacts
Bethany Fay
Graduate Studies Secretary
p. 401.874.5334
bfay@uri.edu
Patricia Burbank, D.N.Sc., RN
Director of Graduate Studies
p. 401.874.5339
mcsullivan@uri.edu
