NURS 724P Primary Care IV Practicum: Geriatric and Complex Care
This clinical practicum emphasizes the management of complex, multi-system illnesses in adults and older adults. Students will refine their differential diagnostic and critical thinking skills through case study analysis, documentation review, guided self-evaluation, and reflective discussions. The practicum integrates knowledge from nursing science, social and biological sciences, biomedicine, ethics, public and community health, mental health, integrative and functional care systems, and trauma-informed care to support the development of holistic treatment plans for patients with multifaceted health needs. In addition, students will address health promotion strategies tailored to the complexity of the patient's condition. The course includes 200 hours of supervised clinical practice under the guidance of an approved preceptor.
Prerequisites
3 Graduate credits
Effective May 11, 2027 to present
Learning outcomes
General
- Demonstrate advanced beginner level proficiency in performing a comprehensive and problem-oriented history and physical exam for adults and older adults with complex, multi-system illnesses in the clinical setting.
- Identify signs and symptoms of acute and chronic complex physical and mental illnesses in adults and older adults.
- Order, perform, and interpret age-, gender-, and condition-specific diagnostic tests and screening procedures for adults and older adults with multi-system, complex illnesses.
- Analyze and synthesize collected data with specific focus on the effects of illness on multiple body systems for adults and older adults.
- Formulate a holistic plan of care that integrates theories of biological science, social science, nursing science, ethics, public and community health, mental health, integrative and functional care systems, and trauma-informed care for adult and older adult clients with complex, multi-system illnesses.
- Integrate DNP advanced practice nursing roles in the care of adults and older adults with complex, multi-system illnesses.
- Demonstrate ability to act as the primary care manager of adults and older adults with complex, multi-system illnesses requiring multiple specialist interventions, interdisciplinary collaboration, and referrals.