Nursing (July 2024)

Introduction to Seniors’ Health

Excursions to innovative seniors’ care centers and effective mentorship techniques will provide students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in the most advanced learning in healthy aging and common health concerns among seniors. A broad range of guests (including older adults, healthcare providers and educators) will engage with students and provide content expertise. This course provides a window into normal aging processes and introduces students to some of the main health challenges experienced by seniors, including dementia. Best practices for supporting seniors’ health and wellbeing will be discussed, guided by ethical considerations and principles of personhood. The course includes lectures, workshops and mentored individual projects by students that will be presented at the end of the course.

Introduction to Caring for Seniors at Home and in the Community

Students will gain experience in developing skills to effectively engage with and support seniors in their homes and communities. A wide variety of guests will virtually engage with students, including seniors, family caregivers, and health and social service providers. Students will engage with seniors to consider practical tips to create supportive home environments. This course provides an overview of the key components of supporting the health and well-being of seniors in their home environment. Students will be introduced to issues associated with aging in place, including environmental, policy and systemic factors. The course will be led by expert faculty in the field of aging. Course content will be delivered through lectures, case studies, small and large discussion groups, and excursions.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination: Required

Global Health Leadership

As we become more globalized and connected, health care providers have opportunities to lead the way for social justice and equity. This course will draw upon the World Health Organization’s current program of work and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. Students will learn about leadership styles and strategies for global health advocacy work and policy development. Course discussions will highlight global health leadership in action for complex contemporary challenges such as climate change; human resources for health; good global governance; decent work; gender and age-transformative action; universal health coverage (UHC); and the “triple billion” goals. To lead globally, we have to think both locally and internationally, and students will have opportunities to meet local leaders who are champions for local Indigenous rights and cultural safety in Vancouver.

Health Impact and Climate Change

Our planet is experiencing the largest threat of the 21st century, climate change. To prepare for the future and to promote the physical as well as mental wellbeing of individuals, communities, and populations, this course is designed to take students on the journey of examining key concepts in climate change and its intricate impacts on human health. Using the social determinants of health framework, students are encouraged to analyze how anthropogenic activities contribute to environmental degradation in order to inspire them to adopt sustainable practices into their lives. This course includes lectures, climate expert sessions, and case studies that will enhance the content in an enriching way.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites

Introduction to Mental Health

Using a life-course perspective addressing mental health from the fetal period through older adulthood, students will build their understanding of the various mental health challenges, risk and protective factors, health system challenges and opportunities and evidence-based approaches to mental health promotion, prevention and treatment of common mental health challenges for individuals and their families. This course provides students with a foundation for working with individuals, families, and populations who experience and are living with mental health and substance use challenges. This course includes lectures and discussion groups.

Strategies to Manage Stress in Everyday Life

Students will have the opportunity to explore knowledge related to stress, stressors, resilience, social support, and strategies to foster physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Key concepts to be explored include the positive and negatives aspects of stress, factors that contribute to stress, physiological and psychological responses to stress, and the various strategies to navigate and manage stress, including the role of social support and self-care. There will be a strong focus on practical strategies to manage stress within the context of students’ current and future lives. The course will encompass a variety of methods including lectures, discussions, and an interactive assignment will allow students to express their creativity.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites