Curriculum Analysis of Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Programs

Lee, Hae Jung; Kim, Yeong Kyeong

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purposes of this article were to analyze curricula of gerontological nurse practitioner(GNP) programs in the United States, to compare the curricula with Korean GNP programs, and to provide suggestions for better GNP programs in Korea.
METHODS
Top GNP programs in the United States were identified from the US NEWS and 12 universities were included in the analyses. Class distribution, credit hours, and clinical hours were analyzed and suggestions for Korean GNP programs were made.
RESULTS
Average credit hours for class lectures in the US GNP programs were 47 and emphases on physiology, pharmacology, physical assessment, and disease management were identified. Most US GNP programs(75%) provided health concerns for both middle aged and older adults. Not all US GNP programs included 'theory' or 'the introduction to GNP' classes, while these are required classes in the Korean GNP program. The mean clinical hours in the US GNP Programs were 537 which are much higher than those in the Korean GNP program.
CONCLUSION
Based on the analyses, we can conclude that Korean GNP programs are lacking in many ways. Further evaluation and curricula modifications are required to settle down the program better and to have the graduates prepared more as internationally competent nurse practitioners.