NUR5870 End of life care in nursing contexts

To provide effective end of life care in acute, aged or community contexts registered nurses need to be able to manage patients, support and engage families, and work with other health professionals. This unit aims to equip registered nurses, who are working with people at end of life, with essential clinically relevant knowledge and skills that can be applied in any setting.

This unit comprises three modules.

The first module examines contemporary models for providing end of life care. This includes: issues associated with managing trajectories of deterioration, common end of life interventions and pathways, and tools to assist care and end of life decision-making.

The second module addresses the core skill of managing complex conversations with patients and families about end of life matters. It includes study of advance care planning, managing complex conversations about life choices, and engaging in shared decision-making with patients and proxy decision-makers. The module also covers methods of supporting and educating patients and/or proxy decision-makers about deterioration and likely decision-making options.

The third module explores inter-professional collaborations needed in end of life care. Strategies for building capacities in teams to manage and support end of life care are critically examined.