Gerontology Practice

Master of Science

Course Details

Course Code	GA_SGERP_V09
Level	9
Duration	2 years
Credits	90
Method of Delivery	Blended
Campus Locations	Donegal – Letterkenny Mayo St Angelas
Mode of Delivery	Part Time

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How to Apply

Course Overview

This exciting multidisciplinary course emphasises healthy aging in older adults and will benefit those registered as a nurse on the live register of NMBI (or equivalent) or health and social professionals registered with CORU (or equivalent) and caring for older people in their place of work.

Changes are evident in many aspects of older persons’ health service delivery, with clear changing demographics, and the sophistication of technological, medical, and social advancement. Health and social care services must continue to evolve, and nursing, health and social care professionals must continue respond to the needs of individuals, families, and communities in the provision of older persons’ care and services in the acute, community and long-stay settings.

The aim of these programmes are to develop students’ theoretical knowledge, professional values and skills to enable them to plan and implement evidence-based interventions and person-centred approaches for older people across a variety of health and social care contexts.

Course Details

Year 1

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
1	Ageing, Health Assessment and Management in the Older Person This module will provide the student with the opportunity to explore and develop his/her knowledge of decision-making skills surrounding the biological, physiological, psychological, and social changes that occur with the ageing process. Students will advance their understanding of the health assessment and the evidence-based interventions for conditions associated with older age and the ensuing management of older persons' health. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically evaluate the biopsychosocial changes associated with ageing and their impact on all major body systems. 2. Critically reflect on the implications of p harmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and p olypharmacy in the older person. 3. Critically discuss the causes, assessment, prevention, and management of falls in older people. 4. Have a critical awareness of the issues related to the incidence of frailty, assessment, and management of frailty in older people. 5. Evaluate the main conditions associated with older age, their assessment and evidence-based interventions, including chronic disease management. 6. Critically evaluate current and expanding care pathways for older people reflecting integrated care provision.	10	Mandatory
1	Contemporary Legal and Professional Issues Students recognise the increasing complexity of health and social care, and the diverse nature of service users, settings and professional roles and know that it is essential that their professional practice is underpinned by an informed awareness of legal, ethical, and moral issues. This module will explore the impact of the recently enacted Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amended Act 2022 for their respective professional practice areas. It will critically assess the general principles and the current legal framework of the Irish law on capacity. It will also examine the legalities associated with end-of-life care, thus enabling the student to develop the skills necessary to construct, reasoned ethical and legal arguments to justify appropriate courses of action. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically analyse how the Irish legal system works, examining the main sources of law and how they are utilised to produce a coherent overview of the medico-ethical system within the state. 2. Evaluate Advanced Healthcare Directives, Enduring Powers of Attorney, the use of DNAR Orders and the law on Assisted Suicide. 3. Develop and evaluate the distinction between ending life and allowing life to end. 4. Assess a structured approach for identifying, analysing and resolving ethical issues in clinical practise. 5. Appraise, review, and critically examine health and social care and nursing ethics.	10	Mandatory
2	Contemporary Approaches to Care of the Older Person The aim of this module is to develop the learners ability to critically evaluate the contemporary issues which impact on the care of the older person within a variety of care contexts. The module will equip learners with a critical appreciation of the structures and processes which underpin contemporary care practice from a diverse range of perspectives. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically appraise the evolution of contemporary aged care narratives 2. Synthesize the interrelated concepts of care regulation and quality 3. Critically evaluate how care agencies and systems serve older persons 4. Appraise the role of ethics, culture, diversity, within organisations supporting older people 5. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the importance of human rights in gerontology 6. Critique current approaches which support positive ageing initiatives	10	Mandatory
2	Advanced Research Skills The module is designed to enable students to explore the methodological issues and practical issues about research. It will assist students determine the right research design for their research questions in practice and provides an opportunity for students to debate, challenge and clarify research issues. This module provides students with the skills needed to source, evaluate, and implement evidence in practice. Students are also introduced to the many approaches used in synthesising evidence from primary studies. The module also prepares students to develop a research proposal/protocol in preparation to undertake a research study. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the steps of the research process and evidence-based practice 2. Critically discuss theoretical perspectives on research approaches and methodology across the qualitative, quantitative and evidence synthesis domains 3. Formulate an answerable research/clinical question using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome and Time (PICOT) (or equivalent) approach and demonstrate the ability to systematically search for evidence 4. Describe a plan with clear rationales for data collection, sampling, data analysis and rigour to be used when conducting a primary qualitative or quantitative study or evidence synthesis 5. Identify and discuss appropriate reporting guideline for research and discuss relevant application of guidelines with the chosen research approach 6. Defend appropriate project plan and outcomes pertaining to the proposed study	10	Mandatory

Year 2

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
1	Dementia, Delirium and Mental Health in the Older Person The aim of this module is to advance students' understanding of dementia, delirium, and other mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety that have increased prevalence in older person populations. Students will develop a critical understanding of aetiology, pathophysiology, risk factors (modifiable and non-modifiable) and symptoms of dementia, delirium, depression, and anxiety. Students will be able to appraise the use of tools for cognitive and mental health assessment and develop a critical understanding of the evidence-based pharmacological, non-pharmacological, psychological, and psychosocial interventions used. Multidisciplinary and interagency approaches to care and management will be explored together with strategies for family and carer supports. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically discuss the aetiology, pathophysiology, risk factors (modifiable and non-modifiable) and symptoms of dementia, delirium, and depression and anxiety 2. Differentiate the appropriate assessment and treatment approaches and critique evidence supporting their therapeutic benefit 3. Evaluate the pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches in supporting the person with non-cognitive symptoms of dementia 4. Critically debate the policy, legislation and strategies informing the development and delivery of interdisciplinary, interagency, and family support services 5. Appraise the approaches to and models of person-centred dementia care and debatepositive risk taking and strategies for maintaining safety 6. Defend the use of the restorative and adaptive approaches associated with psychosocial interventions and their supporting evidence base 7. Appraise the use of psychosocial interventions including positive engagement and communication and other non-pharmacological interventions, used to support meaningful activities and social inclusion	10	Mandatory
1	Advanced Professional Leadership and Management The aim of this module is to provide the student with the knowledge, competencies, and skills to support their professional development to advance their leadership and management roles and responsibilities. Contemporary theories of leadership and management in the context of health care will be examined in order to enable the student to develop a deeper understanding of the skills, competencies and influences of leaders and managers as critical components to support a constantly changing work environment at a national and international level. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically discuss the dynamic nature of leadership and management and apply the skills, competencies and knowledge required 2. Critically evaluate the concepts and theories of leadership and management and emerging trends in national and international best practice 3. Compare and contrast frameworks for partnership and collaborative practice 4. Critically discuss strategic management, service/business planning and financial accountability 5. Evaluate the structure, function, effectiveness and roles of leaders and managers in work settings	10	Mandatory
Year	Research Dissertation Practicum The aim of this module is to support and guide students in the practicalities of undertaking a research study so that their research question is answered in a rigorous succinct manner and that can contribute to the evidenced-based body of knowledge in their chosen subject area. It will provide students with a platform to work in an independent manner, while also being guided by a supervisor, to plan, undertake and evaluate a research study/systematic review. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically evaluate the theoretical underpinnings of the chosen research design and methodology 2. Demonstrate coherence between the chosen research methodology and the search strategy process, sampling process, data collection and data analysis processes used 3. Debate the challenges of real-world enquiry in relation to gaining access to data/participants and ethical approval processes as appropriate 4. Critically defend the choice of research design and data collection methods and data management and analysis mechanisms and the interpretation of results 5. Critically debate the appraisal, analysis, synthesis and interpretation of the research data 6. In a format suitable for publication in an identified peer reviewed journal OR in the format of a convention research dissertation, communicate their research findings clearly, critically, and objectively 7. Present a critical discussion/synthesis of their findings in relation to existing current literatureand evaluate their study findings within the context of their practice discipline 8. Advance measurable and well supported recommendations for practice/ education/ research and or healthcare policyOR produce a summary of review finding table with robust assessment of confidence in evidence	30	Mandatory

Recommended Study Hours per week

Students will be required to complete modules worth 5 ECTS (125 hours total student effort) or 10 ECTS (250 hours total student effort) with students being expected to attend hours in class, complete on-line courses and self-guided work.

Examination and Assessment

Examinations and assessment for this award may include, amongst others, a variety of methods including case presentation, projects, professional assignments, case studies, e-tivities, e-discussion forums and essays. The Research Dissertation Practicum module is assessed through a research dissertation in the final fourth semester.

On-Campus Attendance Requirement

Delivery of this course will be hybrid, as content may be delivered both on and off and between campuses, ATU Donegal in Letterkenny, ATU St Angelas in Sligo, and ATU Mayo in Castlebar.

Progression

Students who successfully complete a Master of Science in Gerontology Nursing/Practice may be eligible to apply for PhD or Doctoral studies in the future.

Download a prospectus

Postgraduate Prospectus Online, Flexible & Professional Development Prospectus

Entry Requirements

A Level 8 Bachelor (Hons) degree with a minimum grade classification of H2.2 or equivalent (nursing, health science/studies or social science/studies related) or evidence of equivalent academic credits. Applicants who have successfully undertaken and passed at a H2.2 performance standard, a minimum of one 10 ECTS module (Level 9), as a standalone module or equivalent (in the previous four years) will be eligible to apply.

Applicants will hold registration as a nurse on the live register of NMBI or equivalent i.e. the General, or Psychiatric, or Intellectual Disability Register OR be registered on the Register for Allied Health Professionals (CORU) or equivalent,, and/or be employed in a setting where he/she has opportunities to care for older people and have a minimum of 1 year post-graduate experience including six months in this setting.

Fees

Total Fees EU: €10800

Further information on fees

Professional Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for those registered nurses on relevant division (RGN, RNID, RNT, RPHN, RPN).

Careers

This programme will allow graduates to progress in a number of ways. For nurses, having a discipline-specific Master’s will be very beneficial when applying for management positions such as Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM) 1 and 2. It also allows them to progress towards Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) positions, although they would have to have a certain amount of years’ experience to be eligible to apply for these positions.

Other posts such as Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) posts demand a specific programme that is required to become an ANP with specific modules on prescribing and advanced physical assessment. This programme would not qualify a nurse as an ANP, but it is likely to give some exemption from an ANP programme – for example – students would be exempt from taking the research element again.

Allied health and social care professionals who complete this programme would be well positioned to progress to management positions or specialist roles related to their profession with the older person population. Any of the above-mentioned potential employment opportunities could be available in acute, community or residential settings.

Further Information

Who Should Apply?

This award is suitable for those:
– Holding registration as a nurse on the live register of NMBI i.e. the General, or Psychiatric, or Intellectual Disability Register OR be a Health and Social Care Practitioner registered on the Register for Allied Health Professionals (CORU)

-Currently, employed in a setting where he/she has opportunities to care for older people

– Have a minimum of one year post-graduate experience with six months in an older person setting.