Geropsychiatric Nursing Practicum and Geropsychiatric Nursing Theory University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Nursing Lessons Learned/Advice to Schools Geriatric nurse practitioner programs must include separate and distinct gerontology-psychiatry courses that give the GNP the knowledge and skills needed to incorporate psychiatry into practice. The psych-trained GNP is able to recognize signs of depression and cognitive impairment that would previously have been overlooked. For instance, if during an initial gerontology patient assessment, the GNP notes insomnia, she/he will pursue this inability to sleep as it relates to undiagnosed depression, and will then follow-up appropriately. WebCT proves an excellent method for teaching gero-psychiatric courses. The IT school's consistent and ongoing support is vital to the process. The on-line format makes content available to countless more students than does the conventional classroom setting. The project investigator notes that faculty tend to be med-surg oriented, and are therefore not necessarily comfortable teaching gero-psychiatry. Unfortunately, this expertise remains limited among them. Nursing schools that sponsor GNP programs could benefit tremendously by networking regionally, to share their methods for integrating and teaching gero-psychiatry. Top | Project Main Page | AACN Home Copyright © 2005 by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. All rights reserved.