Module Objectives

Module 1: Introduction to Palliative Care Nursing

  • Define and differentiate the philosophy and principles of palliative care and hospice.
  • Identify populations of patients appropriate for palliative and hospice care.
  • Describe the role of the nurse, as a member of the interprofessional team, in providing quality palliative care for patients with serious illness(es) and their families (chosen and of origin)
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Module 2: Communication in Palliative Care

  • Discuss the role of the nurse in effective communication with the patient, family, and interprofessional team across the serious illness trajectory and at the end of life.
  • Describe the use of attentive listening and mindful presence as part of communication with patients with serious illness(es) and their families.
  • Identify three communication techniques that you can use to discuss topics in palliative care and at the end of life. 
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Module 3: Pain Management in Palliative Care

  • Describe the domains of pain and how these relate to a holistic assessment, with special consideration of barriers to equitable and quality care.
  • Describe pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions to optimize comfort.
  • Identify the nurse's role in addressing the undertreatment of pain. 
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Module 4: Symptom Management in Palliative Care

  • Identify common symptoms and their etiologies associated with serious illness(es) across the lifespan.
  • Describe the assessment of common symptoms affecting patients with serious illness(es).
  • Apply principles of holistic care in the management of common symptoms associated with serious illness(es).
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Module 5: Loss, Grief, and Bereavement

  • Describe loss, grief, and bereavement as it relates to quality palliative and end-of-life care.
  • Recognize the nurse's role in assessing and supporting grieving patients and families.
  • Identify strategies that nurses and healthcare systems can utilize to recognize and respond to personal and professional loss, grief, and bereavement.
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Module 6: Final Hours of Life

  • Discuss key concepts that are part of end-of-life care as nurses guide patients and families in preparing for death.
  • Describe nursing care related to the holistic needs of patients and families in the final hours of life.
  • Describe the provision of care for the body after death.
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