Course Description
The frail elderly are a subpopulation characterized by inactivity and weight loss. In this course, students focus on the
complex healthcare and management needs of the frail elderly by advanced nurse practitioners in community settings.
Students learn to plan, implement, and e...
Course Description
The frail elderly are a subpopulation characterized by inactivity and weight loss. In this course, students focus on the
complex healthcare and management needs of the frail elderly by advanced nurse practitioners in community settings.
Students learn to plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic regimens through the analysis of case studies and the
actual care of frail elderly in various settings. Additionally, students examine content related to end-of-life care and
caregiver issues to gain the knowledge and sensibilities needed to implement positive change for the quality of life
available to this vulnerable population.
Credit & Practicum Hours
Quarter Credit Hours: 5 credits
Didactic – 3 credits
Practicum – 2 credits
Practicum Hours:
Students Enrolled Before Spring 2018: This course requires a minimum of 144 practicum hours.
Students Enrolled After Spring 2018: This course requires a minimum of 160 practicum hours.
Course Learning Outcomes
Analyze the assessment and management of disorders for geriatric patients to enhance function and
reduce frailty
Analyze strategies to identify, prevent, and mitigate disorders to enhance geriatric patient function and
reduce frailty
Evaluate the impact of issues related to the care of frail elders
Analyze the role of advanced practice nurses in the care of geriatric patients
Analyze issues related to drugs and frail elders
Apply key terms, concepts, and principles related to frail elders
Practicum Overview
A practicum course is a distinctly defined supervised on-site experience in which students implement knowledge and
skills acquired in coursework and integrate professional knowledge in a real healthcare context. During the practicum
course, students complete the didactic portion of the courses online and accumulate practicum hours in a site-based
experience.
The practicum experience helps students transition from the role of learner to that of scholar-practitioner. To achieve
this transition, students engage in a relationship with a clinical instructor and preceptor, focusing on roles and role
functions and the achievement of individualized learning objectives. The primary objective of the practicum is to provide
students with the basic skills necessary to serve as midlevel providers to selected populations and to prepare students to
take the appropriate national certification exams.
Practicum Activities
During practicum courses, students complete the didactic portion of the courses online and accumulate practicum hours
in a site-based experience. The following are required activities for practicum courses:
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, 1. Individualized Learning Objectives: In the first week of the practicum, students formulate individualizing learning
objectives that they want to achieve during their practicum experience; these objectives are based on their
previous assignments, practicum experiences, practice setting, and interests.
2. Conference Calls: In Week 2, students will participate in a conference call with their preceptor and practicum
course faculty member to discuss the practicum experience. During the call, the practicum learning objectives,
practicum project, and required practicum hours will be discussed. This is a collaborative process among the
faculty member, preceptor, and student. The conference call is intended to ensure that the practicum goals are
being addressed; students and preceptors understand the key points of the practicum experience; an
opportunity for questions is provided; and any problems are identified and addressed.
3. Journal: Students reflect on their practicum experiences in a one-page journal entry (250-300 words). The
purpose of the journal is to identify activities, issues, or problems that show how theory is or not applied and
supported in the nursing specialization context. Drawing from theoretical constructs learning in this program
and the specialization content, learning outcomes, and competencies, students analyze their practicum
experience.
4. Time Log: Using Meditrek, students keep a log of the time they spend in practicum activities. Each log entry
must include a brief description of what the student completed during each time interval. Each log must also be
linked with an individual practicum learning objective, a project objective, or a graduate program objective.
5. Patient Log: Students keep track a patient log of the time they spend with each patient in Meditrek. The patient
log includes patient information, visit information, practice management, diagnosis, procedure, treatment plan,
notes, and medication. Patient logs do not include any identifiable patient data.
Practicum Hours
All practicum hours must be completed by the end of Week 10. The following activities count toward the required
practicum hours:
Activities that are directly related to the completion of practicum goals and objectives.
Shadowing the preceptor (no more than 8 hours).
Attendance at meetings while in the clinical setting.
Practicum Roles
1. Preceptors:
a. Overview: Preceptors are qualified individuals within a practicum site who are responsible for helping to
shape the students’ practicum experience. Preceptors should be employed by the field site. Walden
expects preceptors to be accessible to students and to provide guidance and feedback that promotes
growth of knowledge, skills, and competencies consistent with Walden’s educational goals, as well as
with preferred practices in healthcare. Preceptors provide mentoring and guidance appropriate to
students’ roles in their practicum sites, including ongoing feedback about the students’ progress in
meeting practicum goals.
b. Role:
Guide, direct, and support the student, to facilitate the achievement of practicum learning
objectives.
Provide opportunities for role analysis, as well as the application of skills and knowledge.
Supervision by the preceptor which encompasses instruction, monitoring, supervision, and
feedback.
Facilitate access to data or other organizationally-based resources that will assist in providing the
student with a quality practicum experience.
Maintain direct contact with assigned Walden course faculty member to ensure a quality
practicum experience.
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