Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Master of Nursing Science Program in Gerontological Nurse Practitioner is strategically designed to address the challenges and opportunities of a globally aging population. The program's philosophy emphasizes holistic, evidence-based, and compassionate care to promote the health and well-being of older adults. This focus creates a powerful and direct alignment with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by producing advanced practice nurses skilled in managing complex health issues, promoting healthy aging, and providing palliative care. As a master's level program, it is a cornerstone of SDG 4 (Quality Education), fostering lifelong learning and creating highly skilled professionals for a critical healthcare sector. By equipping nurses to care for a vulnerable population, the program directly contributes to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Furthermore, the emphasis on health policy, leadership, and ethical practice supports SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by ensuring graduates can advocate for and contribute to robust, equitable, and effective health systems for the elderly.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: This program is entirely focused on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for the aging population. The curriculum provides comprehensive training in managing complex health problems, chronic illnesses, and palliative care needs of older adults. By producing expert nurse practitioners, the program directly contributes to reducing mortality from non-communicable diseases and promoting health and well-being throughout the life course.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| NU 427 101 | Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing | Directly supports good health by providing the essential scientific foundation for diagnosing and treating diseases, which is critical for ensuring effective and safe healthcare for all ages. |
| NU 427 102 | Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning for Advanced Practice Nursing | Contributes to health and well-being by developing advanced skills in health assessment and diagnostics, which are fundamental to early detection and management of diseases. |
| NU 427 103 | Management of Complex Health Problems in Older Adults | Directly addresses Target 3.4 by focusing on the management of non-communicable and chronic diseases in the elderly, aiming to reduce premature mortality and enhance quality of life. |
| NU 427 201 | Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Practicum I | Provides hands-on clinical practice in managing common and complex health problems in older adults, directly contributing to a skilled health workforce capable of improving health outcomes. |
| NU 427 202 | Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Practicum II | Enhances health services by providing advanced practical training in palliative care and managing specialized health issues in the elderly, ensuring comprehensive and compassionate care. |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: As a Master of Nursing Science program, this curriculum exemplifies quality education by providing specialized, advanced training for nursing professionals. It promotes lifelong learning through a strong emphasis on research, evidence-based practice, and scholarly writing, ensuring graduates possess highly relevant technical and professional skills for a specialized and growing field.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| NU 127 102 | Advanced Nursing Research | Directly supports Target 4.4 by equipping nurses with advanced technical skills in research methodology, which are crucial for high-level employment and for contributing to the evidence base of the profession. |
| NU 127 101 | Nursing Theories, Philosophy, and Knowledge Development | Enhances quality education by providing a strong theoretical foundation for nursing science, fostering critical thinking and the skills necessary for lifelong learning and professional development (Target 4.3). |
| NU 427 401 | International Academic Writing and Publication | Contributes to quality education by developing the skills necessary for professionals to disseminate knowledge through scholarly publication, promoting lifelong learning and engagement with the global academic community (Target 4.7). |
SDG 10: Reduced InequalitiesAlignment Summary: The program works to reduce inequalities by training nurse practitioners to provide specialized care to older adults, a population that often faces health disparities and barriers to accessing appropriate healthcare. By focusing on the unique needs of the elderly, the curriculum ensures that graduates are prepared to promote the social and health inclusion of this vulnerable group.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| NU 127 104 | Advanced Practice Nursing Roles and Health Policy | Directly aligns with Target 10.2 and 10.3 by preparing nurses to advocate for and implement policies that promote the social and health inclusion of all, particularly vulnerable groups like the elderly. |
| NU 427 103 | Management of Complex Health Problems in Older Adults | Promotes the inclusion of older persons (Target 10.2) by providing the specialized knowledge and skills required to address their complex health needs and reduce health inequalities. |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsAlignment Summary: The curriculum helps to build effective and accountable healthcare institutions by preparing graduates for leadership roles in health policy and advanced practice. The focus on ethics, law, and evidence-based practice ensures that graduates can contribute to creating responsive, inclusive, and transparent health systems that serve the needs of all, particularly the elderly.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| NU 127 104 | Advanced Practice Nursing Roles and Health Policy | Directly supports Target 16.6 by developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions through training in health policy, ethics, and laws, preparing nurses for leadership and advocacy roles. |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships by requiring students to engage with the broader scientific and professional community. The research and scholarly writing components necessitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing, preparing graduates to work in multi-stakeholder partnerships to advance health and contribute to the global knowledge base for sustainable development.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| NU 127 102 | Advanced Nursing Research | Enhances the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by equipping nurses with the skills to conduct and disseminate research, contributing to the international body of scientific knowledge. |
| NU 427 401 | International Academic Writing and Publication | Promotes partnerships (Target 17.16) by developing the skills to disseminate research and knowledge globally, contributing to the international evidence base for nursing practice and fostering collaboration. |