Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP)

Do you want to pursue graduate education and develop advanced expertise with a specific focus in gerontological primary care practice? If so, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a major in Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP) will give you this education. A post-MSN option is also available.  Two years direct clinical care experience working with adults (acute care, long term care, primary care or other relevant experience) is required.

The GNP major prepares the graduate for the expanded role in assessment and treatment of on a continuum from the healthy older adult to the frail elder. It emphasizes a multidisciplinary, culturally sensitive, community based approach focused on patient care outcomes. The GNP curriculum provides the opportunity for a student to acquire current advanced knowledge and skills that are refined through extensive course work involving both class instruction and clinical practicum. Emphasis is placed on research utilization. Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be prepared to provide leadership in the health care community by offering comprehensive, age-appropriate, age-specific primary care that addresses the multiple, complex needs of older adult.

For further information, contact: Beverly H. Robinson, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor & Associate Dean for Graduate Nursing Program
UTHSCSA School of Nursing 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC # 7943, San Antonio, T X 78229-3900
(210) 567-5815
Website: www.nursing.uthscsa.edu

On-line application : http://studentservices.uthscsa.edu/publications/nursing.html

Graduates are eligible for national certification and recognition by the Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas as an Advanced Practice Nurse.

“Not an Official Publication of UTHSCSA”

Major Course Descriptions:

• NURS 6307 Health Assessment Across the Lifespan for Advanced Practice Nurses
  Credit Hour Allocation: 3 semester hours
  Prerequisites: Undergraduate health assessment course/comparable experience
  
  The theoretical and clinical basis for assessment in advanced nursing practice will be developed. The process whereby the advanced practitioner utilizes comprehensive physical, psychosocial, and cultural assessment across the lifespan, to gather specific data relevant to common health problems, is demonstrated. Faculty and preceptors facilitate laboratory and clinical experiences which focus on assessment of clients and presentation of findings in a variety of settings. Major Courses



• NURS 5338 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nurses
  Credit Hour Allocation: 3 semester hours
  Prerequisites: Graduate Standing
  
  This course focuses on pathophysiological processes across the lifespan. The relationship between normal physiology and specific system alterations produced by disease will be explored. Particular attention will be given to etiology, pathogenesis, developmental and environmental influences, and clinical manifestations of major health problems that affect South Texas . Portions of this course will be delivered by distance technology. Independent completion of modules is required in this course. Major Courses



• NURS 6302 Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Nurses
  Credit Hour Allocation: 3 semester hours
  Prerequisites: NURS 5338 or concurrent
  
• This course provides the advanced practice nurse the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in the therapeutic use of pharmacologic agents in the practice of primary health care. Principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics will be examined. The history of disease, pathophysiology, symptomatology and pharmacologic treatment of major health problems will be explored. Potential adverse reactions of various cultural groups to prescribed agents will be emphasized, including adherence, cost of drug, cultural values and beliefs, and individual responses to therapy. Partnerships with patients in comprehensive education, monitoring and adherence is stressed. The state and federal legal regulations for advanced practice nursing prescriptive authority will be addressed. Major Courses



• NURS 6308 Mental Health Concepts for Advanced Practice Nurses
  Credit Hour Allocation: 3 semester hours
  Prerequisites: Graduate Standing
  
• This course emphasizes the development of advanced practice nursing skills in mental health. Individually supervised practice, analysis and evaluation of the interpersonal process with culturally diverse clients experiencing life transition that result in psychological stress and dysfunction across the lifespan is employed.  Students use a holistic perspective to examine the etiology, meaning and consequences of human behavior.  Biological, cultural, psychological and social aspects of mental health and mental health care are considered. A special emphasis is placed on working in partnerships with patients to assess and detect actual and potential mental health problems.  The advanced practice nurse will provide customized care through developmental assessment, crisis intervention, pharmacological management, other biological therapies and/or consultation/referral to other mental health professionals. (45 hour clinical practicum) Major Courses



• NURS 5311 Nursing Assessment of Populations
  Credit Hour Allocation: 3 semester hours
  Prerequisites: Graduate Standing
  
  This course explores the acquisition of knowledge about a community of interest and its health problems. Communities of interest may include populations within organizations, neighborhoods or communities. Sources of both qualitative and quantitative information about selected populations and their health problems will be addressed. Students will be given an opportunity to gain experience in the identification of population characteristics, problem measurement and the identification of "communities of solution." For their clinical activities, students may choose population aggregates in a variety of settings compatible with their area of interest. (45 hour clinical practicum) Major Courses



• NURS 6610 Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Diagnosis and Management: Concepts & T heory I
  Semester Credit: 6 semester hours
  Prerequisites: NURS 5306; NURS 5226; NURS 5339; NURS 6307; NURS 6302; NURS 6308; NURS 5338; NURS 5311 ;Nurs 5307 Nursing Science II ( may be taken concurrently)
  Credit Hour Allocation: 4 semester hours class; 4 clock hours class
  Clock Hour Allocation: 2 semester hours clinical; 6 clock hours clinical (90 hours clinical practicum)
  
  The focus of this course is the transition of the RN to the role of the Geriatric Gerontologic al Nurse Practitioner in health promotion, diagnosis and management of common illnesses in primary health care practice across the life-span attending to differences in focused populations. Research and theory (scholarship) are used to identify strategies integral to advanced nursing practice for the promotion of health and prevention of illness. Using problem-based and integrated learning strategies, disorder s of approximately one half of the physiologic systems are examined, critical thinking processes required for development of differential diagnosis are utilized, and therapeutic regimens for common diseases/disorders identified. This course e Emphasizes collaborative partnerships among patients, families, and other health care disciplines. Student must be willing to travel to clinical sites. Major Courses



• NURS 6611 Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Diagnosis and Management: Concepts & Theory II
  Semester Credit: 6 semester hours
  Prerequisites: NURS 5306; NURS 5226; NURS 6307; NURS 5339; NURS 6302; NURS 6308; NURS 5338; NURS 5311; NURS 5307-Nursing Science II (may be taken concurrently);NURS 6 X6 X 10 X GNP I
  Credit Hour Allocation: 3 semester hours class; 3 semester hours clinical
  Clock Hour Allocation: 3 clock hours class (45 hours); 9 clock hours clinical (135 hours clinical practicum)
  
  The focus of this course is the progression of development of the Geriatric Gerontological Nurse Practitioner in health promotion, diagnosis and management of common illnesses in primary health care practice across the life-span, attending to differences in focused populations. Research and theory (scholarship) are used to identify strategies that are integral to advanced nursing practice for promotion of health and prevention of illness. Using problem-based and integrated learning strategies, disorders of approximately one half of the physiologic systems are examined, critical thinking processes required for development of differential diagnosis are utilized, and therapeutic regimens for common diseases/disorders identified. This course e Emphasizes collaborative partnerships among patient*, family, and other health care disciplines. Major Courses



• NURS 6910 Gerontological Nurse Practitioner: Role & Preceptorship
  Semester Credit: 9 semester hours
  Prerequisities: Completion of all coursework for major
  Credit Hour Allocation: 1 semester hour class; 8 semester hours clinical
  Clock Hour Allocation: 1 clock hour class (15 hours seminar); 24 clock hours preceptorship (360 hours of clinical practicum)
  
  This course focuses on health maintenance for patients, professionalism and ethical roles and responsibilities of Geriatric Gerontological Nurse Practitioners in the health care setting; transition to an advanced practice role; understanding the political arena of legal and social issues governing advanced practice in primary health care (including prescriptive authority); and maintaining professional partnerships within professional advanced practice nursing and health care professionals in other disciplines. It requires the student to demonstrate integration, synthesis and application of assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients with acute and/or stable chronic health conditions. Practice and mastery of these skills will occur in preceptored clinical settings specific to the population focus of specialty track (GNP) and will reflect progressive competency of the Nurse Practitioner student in health promotion, diagnosis and management of patient and family care for a culturally diverse population. The student will use problem-based integrated learning strategies and scholarship to identify and implement strategies to promote health, prevent illness, develop and implement treatment plans, and evaluate outcomes of common and complex disorders. Critical thinking processes required for development of differential diagnosis and evaluation are required, and progressive independence of practice is expected. This course emphasizes collaborative partnerships with patient, family, and other health care disciplines. Major Courses