Palliative Care Education and Serious Illness Communication Training for Baccalaureate Nursing Students

Publication Date

7-1-2023

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Nurse Educator

Volume

48

Issue

4

DOI

10.1097/NNE.0000000000001368

First Page

209

Last Page

213

Abstract

Background: Palliative care is an essential component of community health for a growing population of seriously ill older adults residing in the community. Yet, nursing students are often challenged in initiating and engaging in serious illness conversations. Purpose: This study implemented and evaluated an educational activity designed to increase nursing students' skills and self-efficacy to initiate and conduct conversations with patients/clients experiencing serious illness. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used to study how statement cards and prompts facilitated students' readiness to engage in such conversations. A quantitative pre- and posttest survey was used to evaluate self-efficacy and students' perception of their ability to engage in challenging conversations. Results: The results indicated a significant increase in student confidence in conducting serious illness conversations. Conclusion: Students reported an improved perception of their ability to conduct serious illness conversations and emphasized the need to practice these conversations in clinical practice.

Keywords

active learning, community health, compassion care, curriculum, end of life

Department

Nursing

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