Geropsychiatric Nursing: ESSENTIAL Curriculum Content

Abstract

This article delineates the essential curriculum content for geropsychiatric nursing. Although content at the baccalaureate and doctoral levels of education are addressed, the discussion focuses primarily on master's level curriculum content, because of the consensus that preparation for advanced practice in specialized areas of nursing occurs at this level. Gerontologie and nursing literature is reviewed for suggested core content in geropsychiatric nursing at the graduate level, graduate programs offering geropsychiatric nursing are surveyed, and forces that shape the development of curricula in geropsychiatric nursing are identified.