POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING
selkirk.ca/program/post-graduate-diploma-gerontology

Admission 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.

— BSc. Nursing degree / GNM Diploma from a
recognized nursing school with English as a
primary language of instruction with overall GPA
of 60% or higher

— Registration with a national/provincial/state
nursing association

— Minimum of one year nursing experience

— IELTS 6.5 overall with no band score lower than
6.0 and reading band score 6.5

— One letter of reference from current or previous
employer

— Resume / CV
— Completed immunization forms

Important Dates

FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

FALL 2016

— General Program Orientation August 29 -
September 2

— September 6 - Get Connected (Campus Orientation
Day)

— Semester 1: September 7 - December 9

— Final Exams: December 12-21 (check with
program for specific dates)

WINTER 2017

— Semester 2: January 9 - April 14

— Final Exams: April 18-26 (check with program for
specific dates)

SECOND YEAR STUDENTS

WINTER 2016

Semester 4: January 4 - April 8

— Final Exams: April 11 - 15 (check with program for
specific dates)

200 Selkirk College Academic Calendar 2016-17

Program Courses

EASL 066 - COLLEGE PREPARATION
- RESEARCH WRITING

This is an advanced writing course that focuses on
various forms of writing that can be found in the
academic and the work world. In addition to formal
academic research techniques, this course will also
explore practical technical writing skills needed for
clear, timely, concise and accurate communication.
The writer must focus on the purpose and audience
as well as the form, style and organization. In this
class, students will produce a variety of practical and
academic forms of writing, including correspondence,
summaries, instructions, proposals, reports etc.

Pre-requisites: EASL 056A or EASL o56C with a grade of
"C" or better, or equivalent.

GNUR 399 - COLLEGE ORIENTATION

This course will introduce students to the Selkirk
College campus experience and will include
orientation to the computer and nursing labs, campus
resources, and expectations of the program. This
course will introduce students to the Selkirk College
campus experience and will include orientation to the
computer and nursing labs, campus resources, and
expectations of the program.

GNUR 401 - CONTEMPORARY
ISSUES IN GERONTOLOGY

Contemporary Issues in Gerontology will provide
students with an understanding of how the process of
aging affects individuals and how an aging population
affects and influences Canadian society. Aging will be
examined within historical, contemporary and culture
contexts. Topics will include aging and health, aging
demographics, the psychology and sociology of aging,
finances and economics, retirement, leisure, housing
and transportation, and family social supports.
Participants will have the opportunity to identify and
examine their personal beliefs and values about the
aging process throughout the course.

GNUR 403 - RELATIONAL PRACTICE

This course focuses on the development of
self-awareness, increased understanding of
others, and development of effective interpersonal
communication skills that can be used in a variety
of care-giving contexts. Students are encouraged
to become more aware of the impact of their own
communication choices and patterns. They have
opportunity to develop and use communication
techniques that demonstrate personal awareness,
respect, and active listening skills.

GNUR 411 - INTRODUCTION TO
NURSING LEADERSHIP

This is a dynamic course for new and aspiring
leaders. Learners will develop strong interpersonal
and team building skills while exploring their own
personal philosophy of leadership. Students will
focus on and develop skills to manage conflict in

the workplace, build team performance, collaborate
effectively with others, problems solve, and manage
change while pursuing personal improvement and
development as future leaders in the health care
system.

GNUR 412 - PROFESSIONAL NURSING IN
THE CANADIAN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

This course will introduce international nurses to the
structure of the Canadian health care system, and the
roles and scopes of practice of nurses working within
it. Theoretical foundations of professional nursing
practice will provide a basis for understanding

and examining Standards of Practice and ethical
responsibilities within nursing. The significance

of health promotion and holistic health care will
underscore how nurses can provide care that strives
to help clients gain or retain quality of life and reduce
health disparities within diverse populations.

GNUR 500 - INTRODUCTION TO
GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING

This course will detail the unique roles and
functions of geriatric nursing by exploring historical
underpinnings, societal needs, and current

issues. Canadian and international standards

for gerontological care will be examined and
woven throughout course content. A conceptual
model for nursing acutely ill, chronically ill or frail
elders will provide a ground-work for use of best
practice assessment tools and critical analysis.
Communication skills for optimal teamwork with
enhance the nurse’s interaction with elders, family
members and other caregivers.

GNUR 501 - PSYCHOSOCIAL
ISSUES IMPACTING AGING

Looks at how cognitive and affective function can

be impacted by life events, role change, personal
choice and behaviour, acute and chronic disease, or
environmental stressors. With a view to helping the
older individual attain their optimal level of wellness,
this course will explore those psychosocial issues
through the lens of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
and a Successful Aging theory. Readings and course
dialogue help gerontological nurses to develop
strategies to assess coping ability, identify risk
factors that undermine independence and well-being,
and promote psychosocial health.

selkirk.ca/programs