Walden University
NURS 6540:Advanced Practice Care of Frail Elders
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:
P a g e |1
NURS 6540:Advanced Practice Care of Frail Elders
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:
P a g e |1
