MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

NCE168  2009 Summer I - 9999

End of Life Care Training

1.          Describe the principles and history of palliative care. (I)

2.          Describe the role of the nurse in providing palliative care for patients across the lifespan. (I)

3.          List components of a thorough pain assessment. (II)

4.          Describe pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies used to relieve pain. (II)

5.          Discuss ethical dilemmas that may arise in end of life care. (III)

6.          Describe specific roles of the nurse in ethical decision making. (III, V)

7.          Describe communication techniques used by the nurse when caring for patients and their families. (IV, V)

8.          Describe the grief process and nursing interventions that may significantly affect the grief process. (VI)

9.          Describe assessment of physical, psychological, social and spiritual care needs and interventions for an imminently dying patient and their family. (VII)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

NCE168  2009 Summer I - 9999

End of Life Care Training

I.          Introduction to End of Life Care

            A.        Principles of Palliative care

                        1.         Definition

                        2.         History

                        3.         Goals of care

            B.        Perspectives of life closure

                        1.         Personal awareness

                        2.         Costs

            C.        Role of Nurse in End of Life Care

                        1.         Concepts of a good death

II.        Symptom Management in End of Life Care

            A.        Pain assessment and management

            B.        Non-pharmacological therapy/complimentary therapy

            C.        Barriers to pain management

III.       Ethical Issues in Palliative Nursing

            A.        Comfort

            B.        Consent

            C.        Prolonging life

            D.        Withholding Treatment

            E.         Legal issues

            F.         Decision making

IV.       Communication

            A.        Barriers

            B.        Listening skills

            C.        Breaking bad news

            D.        Interdisciplinary Collaboration

V.        Cultural Considerations in End of Life Care

            A.        Cultural and spiritual assessments

            B.        Afterlife beliefs

            C.        Family roles

VI.       Grief, Loss and Bereavement

            A.        Stages

            B.        Grief assessment and intervention

            C.        Support groups

VII.     Preparation and Care for Time of Death

            A.        Physical, psychological and spiritual care of patient

            B.        Support of family members

            C.        Recognizing signs of death

            D.        Care after death