General provisions

The course is offered in term 6 of the nursing programme. 4.5 credits of the course are theoretical studies: 2.5 credits Health sciences with focus on nursing and 2 credits Medical science. Clinical placement consists of 6 credits: 5 credits Health sciences with focus on nursing and 1 credit Medical science. The subjects are integrated.

The course aims to that the student will acquire advanced knowledge in specific and general nursing and medical science in geriatric care and care of older people. In addition, the student will acquire advanced knowledge and skills on professional and scientific approach.

Entry requirements

Passed courses from the semesters 1, 2, 3 and 4 (total 120 credits) and passed placement from semester 5.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of the course, the student will be able to describe and concretise the meaning of

- physiological, psychological and social aging

- health promoting actions, and symptom, diagnosis, treatment and nursing in common diseases in older people

- nutrition related to older people's nutritional needs, meals and eating

- drugs and older people regarding pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

- the nurse's role in caring of older people

- statutes and laws in the current field

Skills and ability

On completion of the course, the student will be able to independently

- be responsible for and apply the nursing process, perform relevant measures and lead the health care of older people and in palliative care based on available scientific knowledge and proven experience

- assess nutritional status and take appropriate actions to meet optimum nutrient supply.

- apply statutes and laws in care of older people

- initiate and be responsible for ethics discussions in connection with the care of older people

- initiate and carry out quality development work/improvement work

- be responsible for and participate to give support and guidance to patient/residents/families close relations to enable optimum participation in care and treatment and motivation to adherence to treatments

- perform and be responsible for drug administration and also to inform and observe effects and side-effects

- identify and analyse risks in the nursing regarding hygiene, drugs, falls, decubitus and confusions and take steps to develop quality and patient safety

Judgement and approach

On completion of the course, the student will be able to independently

- communicate with and treat older people in a respectful, sensative and empathetic way

- reflect on, analyse and evaluate the ethical, cultural issues and problems related to gender and violence in connection with the care of older people

- be able to assess own ability and limitations

Content

HEALTH SCIENCES WITH FOCUS ON NURSING

The course consists of theoretical studies and clinical placement.

- the nursing process in diseases in older people

- the older patient's needs of nourishment and nutrient supply

- patient security

- symptom relief in palliative care and care of older people in the final stage of life

- rehabilitation and functioning preserving measures in older people

- Family/close relations' role and situation

- ethical aspects of caring for older people

- violence against older people

- organisation of the care for older people

- information between health care providers

- supervising work, prioritisation, allocation and coordination of the nursing work in the team

- statutes and laws

- quality development and improvement work

- cultural aspects of the aging

MEDICALSCIENCE

The course consists of theoretical studies and clinical placement

- physiological, biological and social aging

- health problems, health promoting work, diseases, diagnosis and treatment

- nutrition and older people

- drugs and older people

Instruction

The student shall seek and apply knowledge based on science and evidence and in nursing - and treatment measures comply with current laws, statutes and ordinances.

WORKING METHODS

Lectures, work in cohort groups, individual work, seminars and web-based teaching, clinical/practical proficiency training. Clinical placement with organised supervision in geriatric and old-age care.

COMPULSORY PARTS

Introduction to course, scheduled cohort meetings, seminars, clinical/practical proficiency training, clinical placement, study assignments with written presentation and examination.

Assessment

Examination is continuous throughout the course in the form of written and oral assignments individually and in groups, and an individual examination is also included. The assignments during the current course are examined based on the guidelines (date and time), as stated by course coordinator/examiner. During clinical placement, examinations are carried out regarding clinical/practical skills, specific theoretical assignments, professional approach, treatment and co-operation ability. All parts must be approved in order to regard the course in its entirety as passed.

NATIONAL CLINICAL FINAL EXAMINATION (NCFE)

In connection with the course Nursing and Medical science in geriatric and old-age care the NCFE takes place, including the whole nursing programme with written examination and practical test.

For participation in National clinical final examination (NCFE), written part, is required:

– passed courses from the semesters 1, 2, 3 and 4 and passed course parts excluding written individual examination à 7 HE credits, in the course Nursing and Medical Science in Surgery and Acute Medicine (total 135.5 HE credits).

For participation in National clinical final examination (NCFE), practical part, is required:

– passed courses from the semesters 1, 2, 3 and 4 and passed results in the course Nursing and Medical Science in Surgery and Acute Medicine (total 142.5 HE credits)

Other regulations

Student who has failed examination may retake examination four times (=total five examinations). Student who has not passed clinical placement has the right to retake the clinical placement once.

Interrupted clinical placement

A student may fail and be forced to interrupt the clinical placement prematurely if there is a noticeable risk that the student due to incompetence may injure another individual or valuable property if he or she continues the clinical education.

An individual plan shall be decided for the student and given to him or her in writing. This plan, which has to be decided by the programme committee, must state the knowledge and skill shortages at hand, the support the student may receive from the department and also state how and when the control will take place. A student is entitled to a maximum of two control occasions, however no more than once a year. The student may not participate in the clinical placement again until the programme committee has controlled and accepted the required knowledge and skills.

Decisions on the individual study plan may be delegated by the programme committee to a student welfare committee or equivalent with student representation.