Careers

The largest growing health cohort is the geriatric
population. By 2030, 25% of Canadians will be over
65; 12% will be over 85 years of age. Registered
Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered
Psychiatric Nurses who have completed this
Advanced Diploma will have specialized knowledge
and training to effectively educate, assess and
care for older people. Graduates will have the
ability to analyse trends and challenges in the

field of Geriatrics, and the tools and skills to

meet the complex physical, social, environmental,
cognitive and spiritual needs of the elderly.

Facility care (all levels), acute care, community
nursing (home care and case management), mental
health, health promotion agencies, clinics and
primary health care settings are all potential areas
of employment for nurses with specialized skills and
knowledge in gerontology.

Application Information

Download the Gerontology Application

Package at http://selkirk.ca/program/
gerontology /application-information

Please make sure you meet all admission
requirements, including the general admission
requirements for the college and the specific
admission requirements for your chosen program
(these are listed in each program area).

— International Students (students who are
applying to Selkirk College from locations outside
of Canada) should follow the application steps
required by Selkirk International.

Program Courses

GERO 200 - 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.

Pre-requisites: Certificate/Diploma in any Health or
Human Service Discipline is preferred.

selkirk.ca/programs

GNUR 210 - SPIRITUALITY & AGING

As the physical body ages, it declines and
deteriorates. In contrast, the Human Spirit continues
to develop and mature until the end of life.

This course examines the importance of spirituality

in aging, and its effects on health, wellness and
achievement of meaning in life. Current research and
tools to assess spiritual needs will be examined.
Roles and opportunities for caregivers to promote the
spirituality of aging persons will be explored.

Who Should Take The Course?

The course will be of interest to seniors, all

health care providers, students in health care or
social service studies, and anyone wanting to explore
spirituality related to health and well-being.

It is also a credited course for the Certificate

in Gerontological Nursing.

Topics Include:

— Spirituality vs Religion — are they the same?
— The role of spirituality in Health

— The importance of Ritual

— Hope

— Gerotranscendence

— ‘Dark Night of the Soul’

— Finding Meaning

— Options

Pre-requisites: Certificate/Diploma in Health or Human
Service Discipline preferred.

GNUR 300 - 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.
Two conceptual models for nursing acutely ill,
chronically ill or frail elders will provide a groundwork
for use of assessment tools and critical analysis. A
focus on health promotion and wellness in later life
will guide and direct nursing leadership in the care of
older adults. Web, electronic and journal resources
that support nursing practice will be identified.

Pre-requisites: GERO 200 is preferable.

GNUR 301 - PSYCHO-SOCIAL
ISSUES IMPACTING AGING

As people age, changes in cognitive and affective
function can be impacted by life events, role change,
personal choice, acute and chronic disease, or health
treatments. Within this course the nurse will develop
strategies to assess risk factors and promote psycho
social health. Issues of mental competency, elder
abuse/neglect and alcoholism in later life will be also
examined.

Pre-requisites: GERO 200 and GNUR 300 are preferable.

GERONTOLOGY
selkirk.ca/program/gerontology

GNUR 302 - PHYSIOLOGICAL
FUNCTION IN THE AGED

This course focuses on the normal changes of

aging in all body systems. Select chronic diseases

or conditions and their treatment modalities will

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

Pre-requisites: GNUR 300 is preferable.

GNUR 303 - DELIRIUM, DEMENTIA
AND DEPRESSION IN THE ELDERLY

This course will look at current theories of causality,
presenting behaviours, risk factors and therapies for
each of these conditions. The impact on the family and
professional caregivers will be assessed. Dementia
nursing care will focus on methods to enhance and
retain patient abilities.

Pre-requisites: GNUR 300 is preferable.

GNUR 310 - MEDICATION USE AND
ABUSE WITH THE ELDERLY

Most aging people use medication (prescription

or over-the-counter) to treat a variety of chronic
or symptomatic problems. This course seeks to
define the nursing role in medication management
with aging clients. An understanding of the
pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics related to
the aging body will assist the gerontological nurse
in understanding drug reactions. Reasons for drug
misue and abuse will be explored, and principles
and strategies developed to improve drug regime
compliance. Tools to assist with medication profile
analysis will be presented.

Pre-requisites: GERO 200 and GNUR 300 are preferable.

GNUR 313 - END-OF-LIFE CARE
AND PALLIATION

Palliative care is 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. This course seeks

to help each nurse understand their own feelings
about death and palliative care, and reflect on their
experiences with palliative care. Each participant will
gain specific knowledge about symptom assessment
and management, and how to deal with palliative
emergency situations. Particularly unique aspects
of caring for the dying, ie. communication, grief and
self-care, will be explored.

Pre-requisites: Nursing Diploma or Degree.

Selkirk College Academic Calendar 2016-17 111