An increase in the ageing population, requires qualified nurses in health and social care settings to be adequately prepared to provide high quality care for older adults, the University of Malta has said.
This week, the University of Malta’s Faculty of Health Sciences launched its B.Sc. Nursing (Hons.) (Elderly Care) at Saint Vincent de Paule Residence,
Present for the launch was Dr Michael Falzon, Minister for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity, Anthony Agius Decelis, Parliamentary Secretary for Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, Dr Josianne Cutajar, CEO SVP, and Professor Joseph Cacciottolo, Pro-Rector for Academic Affairs.
The University said that this programme of studies provides qualified nurses, with specific competencies and skills in the care of older adults, as well as with more general competencies that will contribute towards their academic and professional development.
This top-up part-time evening course programme spans across preventive, medical, rehabilitative and palliative aspects of care across a range of settings, including community, hospital and long-term settings. Relevant topics such as dementia, nutrition and pharmacology are addressed.
Graduates of the programme will obtain a degree qualification and a specialisation in elderly care nursing.
In terms of career prospects this programme gives graduates the opportunity to further their studies and proceed to a Master degree.
The programme will prepare candidates to assume roles in the care of older adults, who are living in the community, are in-patients in acute or rehabilitation hospitals, or are residing in residential/nursing homes, by caring for their biopsychosocial needs to improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life.
This two or three-year programme commencing in October this year, is intended for holders of the Higher Diploma in Health Science (Nursing Studies), the Diploma in Health Science (Nursing Studies) or a comparable qualification.
The University remarked that St Vincent de Paule will be sponsoring a considerable number of its employees to take this course in order to encourage and support participation of nurses.
Applications are now open until the 31st of August. For further information and to apply online please see here [1].
Photograph: Left to right: Prof. Joseph Cacciottolo, UM Pro-Rector for Academic Affairs, Dr Josianne Cutajar, Anthony Agius, the Dr Michael Falzon