Introduction

For Faculty

The Geriatrics and the Advanced Practice Curriculum: A Series of Web-Based Interactive Case Studies was developed to provide a "user-friendly" way for faculty to integrate essential geriatric nursing content into non-gerontological nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist programs. Using a problem-oriented approach, cases focus on common health problems of the older adult. The cases are designed so that the "patient" may be followed over a period of time. Differences in presentation, management, outcomes, and other relevant aspects of the older adult are emphasized. Learner outcomes and required reading specific to each case study are provided.

A tutorial format is utilized to allow for active participation by the student. "Patient" subjective and objective data are presented. Students are asked to respond to questions about the "patient" as they progress through the case study. They must provide an answer to each question before they can continue to the next section of the case. The correct answers for each question and their rationales are provided immediately after the student responses.

The intent of this project is not to test the students' knowledge but to provide an educational experience. Faculty are free to test students' knowledge of the material presented by developing test items based on the case.

Content is cross-referenced to the "Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist Competencies for Older Adult Care" (AACN, 2004) to enable faculty to determine which competencies are addressed by which content.

For Students

The Geriatrics and the Advanced Practice Curriculum: A Series of Web-Based Interactive Case Studies was developed to provide non-gerontological nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist students with essential geriatric nursing content. Using a problem-oriented approach, cases focus on common health problems of the older adult. A tutorial format is utilized to allow for active participation by the student. Learner outcomes and required reading specific to each case study are provided. Students are encouraged to complete the required readings before beginning the tutorial.

The cases are designed so that the "patient" may be followed over a period of time. "Patient" subjective and objective data are presented. Students are asked to respond to questions about the "patient" as they progress through the case study. They must provide an answer to each question before they can continue to the next section of the case. A Certificate of Completion is provided at the end of each case study.