General provisions

The course is included in The Specialist Nursing Programme specialisation Care of Older People, 60 credits.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to demonstrate:

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

• advanced knowledge of the symptoms, diagnostics and treatment of dementia
• advanced knowledge of the methods and strategies for person-oriented nursing in cases of dementia
• advanced knowledge of the meaning of cross-cultural care in cases of dementia
• advanced knowledge of the methods and strategies for promoting quality of life and supporting close relatives
• advanced knowledge of nurses’ profession and sphere of competence in relation to dementia care

SKILLS AND ABILITY

• independently identify problems and critically analyse symptoms of dementia; explain diagnostics, treatment and nursing practice in cases of dementia
• independently plan and evaluate nursing care in cases of dementia
• coordinate the actions of different professions in the care/nursing of the patient and close relatives so as to achieve teamwork
• independently search for and review knowledge development in nursing care of dementia patients

EVALUATION ABILITY AND ATTITUDES

• contribute actively by identifying and reflecting on ethical issues in nursing care of dementia patients
• analyse and reflect on how nursing research can be applied within nursing care of dementia patients
• reflect on and evaluate the role of nurse practitioners in nursing care of dementia patients
• reflect on their knowledge and identify areas in need of continued knowledge development

Content

• Confusion
• Dementia
• Person-oriented nursing in cases of dementia
• Family support
• Current research in the area
• Ethics
• Scientific method

Instruction

• The course is conducted through half-time, web-based studies
• Work in study groups
• Lectures
• Literature studies
• Report writing
• Seminars
• Field studies and/or activities connected to nursing practice in care of older people

Assessment

Examination of achievement of course goals is continuous and carried out through written examinations, individually and in groups. Some examination assignments are connected to nursing practice in care of older people. During groups examinations, the student should participate actively, showing his/her knowledge and reflections.

Other directives

A student who has failed an examination is entitled to retake it four times (= a total of five examinations). After five failed examinations, the student may lose his/her guaranteed place in the programme. However, if there are special circumstances, the Undergraduate Education Committee may grant the right to additional examination. Each time the student participates in an examination counts as one examination occasion. Submission of a so-called "blank" exam is counted as an examination. According to chapter 6, sections 21-22 in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), the student has the right, on request, to change examiners after two failed examinations.