By-Yashi Asthana
Indian Nursing Council has launched a two-year M.S.c Nursing course, a post-graduate residency program for Nursing Graduates (B.S.C Nursing only) to provide special care for senior and golden age citizens.As India’s senior citizens continue to increase in number, there is a rising demand for specialised healthcare professionals who are equipped with the knowledge and skills to manage age-related health challenges. This specialized nursing program focuses on providing in-depth training in the care of elderly patients, including chronic disease management, dementia care, and palliative care.
The NPGN program is designed to develop advanced nursing skills, enabling practitioners to deliver comprehensive care to the elderly across diverse healthcare environments. It is a step towards enhancing the quality of geriatric care for both patients and their families, in primary and tertiary settings.
Program Structure
• Duration: Two years.
• Emphasis: 85% of the program involves clinical experience.
• Curriculum: Covers core subjects, advanced practice modules, clinical courses, and extensive hands-on training.
• Learning Approach: Focuses on competency-based education to ensure practical and effective application of knowledge.
Program Outcomes:
Graduates of the NPGN program will:
- Earn the designation of Nurse Practitioner in Geriatric Nursing (NPGN).
- Gain advanced clinical expertise in assessing, treating, and managing acute and chronic conditions in older adults.
- Take on roles as educators, managers, and consultants in geriatric care.
This initiative represents a significant milestone in strengthening geriatric healthcare in India, ensuring that the country’s growing elderly population receives the care and attention they deserve.
On completion of the program and registration with respective SNRC, they are permitted to practice all competencies listed in the logbook of the Council syllabus and also independently administer drugs and order diagnostic tests, procedures, medical equipment and therapies as per institutional protocols/standing orders. The NPGN when exercising this authority, they are accountable for the competencies in
a) Using scientific knowledge and theoretical foundations in ageing;
b) Patient selection/admission into geriatric unit and discharge;
c) Problem identification through appropriate assessment;
d) Selection/administration of medication or devices or therapies;
e) Patient education for use of therapeutics;
f) Knowledge of drug interactions of therapeutics;
g) Evaluation of outcomes;
Philosophy
The Indian Nursing Council believes that there is a great need to establish a postgraduate program titled Nurse Practitioner in Geriatric Nursing (NPGN) to meet the challenges and demands of primary and tertiary health care services in India and to provide quality care to older adult patients and their families. The Council believes that the postgraduates from a residency program focused on strong clinical component and competency-based training must be able to demonstrate clinical competence based on sound theoretical and evidence-based knowledge. The teaching learning approach should focus on adult learning principles, code of ethics, competency-based education, collaborative learning, precepted clinical learning with medical and nursing preceptors, experiential learning, and self-directed learning. Education providers/preceptors/mentors must update their current knowledge and practices. Medical faculty are invited to participate as preceptors in the training.
For full Information visit : https://www.indiannursingcouncil.org/uploads/pdf/1705311678195532813165a4fdbebb7a8.pdf
