Improving End-of-Life Care Knowledge Among Senior Baccalaureate Nursing Students

Objective: It is imperative that nurses are proficient and comfortable providing care to patients at the end of life. Recent studies show that nurses’ knowledge of end-of-life care is less than optimal. Effective, evidence-based methods to infuse palliative and end-of-life care education into the un...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of hospice & palliative medicine 2017-12, Vol.34 (10), p.938-945
Main Authors: Glover, Toni L., Garvan, Cynthia, Nealis, Rose M., Citty, Sandra W., Derrico, David J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clinical Competence
Communication
Cross-Sectional Studies
Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate - organization & administration
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Nursing
Palliative Care - organization & administration
Qualitative Research
Students, Nursing - psychology
Terminal Care - organization & administration
Young Adult
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Summary:Objective: It is imperative that nurses are proficient and comfortable providing care to patients at the end of life. Recent studies show that nurses’ knowledge of end-of-life care is less than optimal. Effective, evidence-based methods to infuse palliative and end-of-life care education into the undergraduate nursing curriculum are needed. Methods: A descriptive pre- and postassessment evaluating senior nursing students’ acquisition of knowledge on end-of-life care after attending the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) core course was conducted. The course evaluation included qualitative statements. Results: Before the ELNEC course, one-third of the students had cared for a dying patient during clinical rotations, yet 85% reported they had not received adequate training in end-of-life care. Posttest questions related to palliative care, symptom management, communication, and grief indicated that students acquired significant knowledge after participating in the ELNEC course (P < .05). Conclusion: The ELNEC core course is an effective way to improve nursing students’ knowledge of palliative and end-of-life care.
ISSN:1049-9091
1938-2715
DOI:10.1177/1049909117693214