New Dementia Studies Graduate Diploma at Trent University to Equip Nurses with In-Demand Skills
Part-time professional program provides registered nurses with 150 hours of clinical placement experience in dementia care
To address the current and future needs of an aging population in Canada, Trent University has launched a new Graduate Diploma in Dementia Studies, helping registered nurses (RNs) to become leaders in the development and delivery of specialty care for individuals affected by dementia.
“Our understanding of dementia and the lived experience of people affected by dementia continues to evolve as new research emerges and the demographics of our population changes,” said Dr. Hugo Lehmann, acting dean of the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing (TFSON). “This program will play a significant role in supporting and advancing Canada’s health care system by preparing registered nurses with expertise and nursing services across relevant sectors to address the reality of dementia.”
The part-time program is designed to be an accessible university program to help boost the skills of working registered nurses allowing them to study towards the graduate diploma while continuing to work and maintain capacity to the health care system.
The program consists of five courses delivered over five 12-week semesters, and can be completed in as little as 20 months. Four courses will be theory-based, with readings, discussions, and assignments delivered primarily online. Applied learning components, such as workshops, will also be incorporated into these courses, and draw on the TFSON’s clinical simulation resources and expertise.
Learners will participate in a fifth practicum course at the end of the program, where they will complete 150 hours of dementia care in a clinical placement.
“Hands-on practical learning experiences are essential for the development of advanced skill sets, in particular those needed in the nursing profession,” said Professor Lehmann. “As a leading institution with great interest and investment in interdisciplinary aging studies, Trent University and our faculty in Nursing and many other areas of study are well prepared to educate registered nurses on the complex issue of dementia and the experiences of older adults.”
Applications for the program will open later this year on October 6, with Trent welcoming the first cohort of students into the program in September 2023. Students eligible for this program must hold a Bachelor of Nursing degree or are a registered nurse with five years of experience, with at least one year of experience caring for older adults affected by dementia.
Learn more about the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing.
About Trent University
One of Canada's top universities, Trent University was founded on the ideal of interactive learning that's personal, purposeful and transformative. Consistently recognized nationally for leadership in teaching, research and student satisfaction, Trent attracts excellent students from across the country and around the world. Here, undergraduate and graduate students connect and collaborate with faculty, staff and their peers through diverse communities that span residential colleges, classrooms, disciplines, hands-on research, co-curricular and community-based activities. Across all disciplines, Trent brings critical, integrative thinking to life every day. Today, Trent's unique approach to personal development through supportive, collaborative community engagement is in more demand than ever. Students lead the way by co-creating experiences rooted in dialogue, diverse perspectives and collaboration. In a learning environment that builds life-long passion for inclusion, leadership and social change, Trent's students, alumni, faculty and staff are engaged global citizens who are catalysts in developing sustainable solutions to complex issues. Trent's Peterborough campus boasts award-winning architecture in a breathtaking natural setting on the banks of the Otonabee River, just 90 minutes from downtown Toronto, while Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area, delivers a distinct mix of programming in the east GTA.
For more information contact:
Celia Grimbly, Communications & Media Relations Officer, Trent University, (705) 748-1011 x6180 or celiagrimbly@trentu.ca
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