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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.

GNUR 503 - DELIRIUM, DEMENTIA
AND DEPRESSION IN THE ELDERLY

Examines current theories of causality, presenting
behaviours, risk factors and therapies for each of
these conditions. Assessment tools and best practice
strategies are reviewed. The impact of dementia on
family and professional caregivers is considered and
nursing care focuses on methods to enhance and
retain patient abilities.

GNUR 504 - NURSING LAB - PHYSICAL
ASSESSMENT AND BASIC SKILLS

This class will allow the student opportunities to
learn and demonstrate skills necessary to register for
their HCA certificate. In addition, classes will focus
on learning material that apply skills particular to the
Canadian Health care system and care of the older
adult with an emphasis on assessment proficiency,
psychomotor skills and documentation abilities. The
simulation suite will be utilized to help expand the
learning experience.

GNUR 505 - ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
FOR THE ELDERLY

Provides an overview of drugs used in the

Canadian context and relevant lab values

related to drug therapy. An understanding of the
pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics related to
the aging body will assist the gerontological nurse
in understanding drug reactions. The nursing role in
medication management with aging clients will be
defined. Reasons for drug misuse and abuse will be
explored, and principles and strategies developed to
improve drug regime compliance. The role of nurses
and their practice in culturally diverse contexts is
considered. This course is a hybrid of classroom and
online learning.

186 Selkirk College Academic Calendar 2019-20

POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN GERONTOLOGICAL NURSING

GNUR 508 - NURSING LAB - CLINICAL
SKILLS AND THE OLDER ADULT

Builds on and consolidates concepts and nursing
knowledge from earlier courses in the program.
Participants will have the opportunity to practice
relevant psychomotor skills associated with complex
episodic and chronic health challenges experienced
by older adults. This course will emphasize participant
assessment proficiency, relevant clinical skills,
documentation and relational capacity. The simulation
suite will be utilized to help expand the learner’s
experience.

Prerequisites: Completion of all courses in semesters
7 through 3 of the International Gerontology Nursing
program.

GNUR 511 - PHYSICAL AGING AND CHRONIC
DISEASE MANAGEMENT: PART |

Focuses on the normal changes of aging in all body
systems. Select chronic diseases or conditions

and their treatment modalities, will be reviewed
simultaneously with body system overviews. Using
Carol Miller’s (2009) Model for Promoting Wellness in
Older Adults, an exploration of potential risk factors,
iatrogenic complications, and functional challenge
will lead the nurse to critically think about how to
enhance physical health function. The compounding
effect of acute illness on chronic health problems will
also be examined.

GNUR 512 - PHYSICAL AGING AND CHRONIC
DISEASE MANAGEMENT: PART II

This is a continuation of GNUR- I (3) 511 continuing
an examination of normal changes of aging in body
systems and introducing further chronic conditions
and their treatment modalities.

GNUR 514 - END-OF-LIFE CARE

Examines the unique way caregivers think, respond,
and act as they give skilled and compassionate care
to a dying person and the support system of that
person. The course begins by helping each nurse
understand their own perceptions of death and
palliation by reflecting on their experiences with
dying people. Participants will gain specific and
current knowledge about symptom assessment and
management, and how to deal with selected palliative
emergency situations. Particularly unique aspects of
caring for the dying, eg, family care, communication,
grief, and self-care will be explored.

selkirk.ca/post-graduate-diploma-gerontology

GNUR 520 - CLINICAL PRACTICE
IN COMPLEX CARE

This supervised practice experience provides
students with an opportunity to apply knowledge

and skills from all courses in the program to-date
with individuals living in a complex care setting. A
portion of this nursing experience will be devoted to
providing nursing care to individuals experiencing
cognitive challenges and/or end-of-life needs.
Opportunity will be provided for students to gain
expertise and confidence with the role of the geriatric
nurse within a complex care facility.

GNUR 525 - NURSING PRACTICE IN
MULTIPLE CLINICAL SETTINGS

Provides opportunities for participants to experience
the RN roles and responsibilities working with older
adults. Participants will experience interdisciplinary
team collaboration, opportunities to be healthy
educators and mentorship of novice students. They
will work in professional roles with groups, families
and individuals, in communities, agencies and care
facilities, to consolidate their learning.

MHAD 500 - MENTAL HEALTH
AND ADDICTIONS |

Introduction to the study of mental health and
addiction problems from a lifespan perspective, with
a focus on aging populations. This course examines
a spectrum of mental health and substance use
problems pertinent to men and women over 50 years
of age from a harm reduction perspective.

Prerequisites: Completion of Year 1 of the Post
Graduate diploma in Gerontological Nursing

MHAD 501 - MENTAL HEALTH
AND ADDICTIONS II

This course is a continuation of Mental Health and
Addictions I and focuses on a variety of rehabilitative
and treatment modalities used in working with

older adults. Attitudes toward mental health and
substance use problems and how they impact helper
effectiveness are explored in a supportive milieu.

Prerequisites: MHAD 500

Contact

INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS

Phone: 1.888.953.1133 ext 21293

Direct: 250.365.1293

Email: internationaladmissions@selkirk.ca

selkirk.ca/programs