Deepening Expertice of Palliative Nursing
| Structure Type: | Study unit |
|---|---|
| Code: | SH00BD01 |
| Curriculum: | SH 2021K / 2021VK / 2022 |
| Level: | Bachelor of Nursing |
| Year of Study: | 4 (2025 / 2025-2026) |
| Semester: | Spring / Autumn |
| Credits: | 5 cr |
| Responsible Teacher: | Välimaa, Virpi |
| Language of Instruction: | Finnish |
Courses During the Year 2025
| Impl. | Group(s) | Study Time | Teacher(s) | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3003 | SH2021-34CK, SH2021-34DK, SH2021V-34K, SH2022-3A, SH2022-3B | 2025-01-01 – 2025-02-23 | Virpi Välimaa | Finnish |
| 3004 | SH2022-3A, SH2022-3B | 2025-04-01 – 2025-05-31 | Finnish |
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes of the Course:
- is able to plan, implement and evaluate the treatment of symptoms and pain of a patient in palliative care and to guide the patient and his / her family taking into account the individual needs, level B
- understand what total pain is and know how to apply knowledge into practice
- is able to use different indicators appropriately
- know the principles of medical and non-pharmacological treatment of palliative care
- is able to utilize a multi-professional team in palliative care
- is able to act in connection with death and after death
- is able to identify, face, guide and support patients and their relatives individually
- understands the importance of crisis and grief in the lives of people of different ages and cultures
- is familiar with the possibilities of interprofessional care in palliative care
- is able to apply the concepts of family-oriented, inclusive and meaningful
- is able to identify and anticipate changes in communication due to sickness and utilize speech support tools
- recognizes the importance of one's own attitude to death and well-being at work
Student's Workload
Work load together: 135h
- The course is implemented online through the national palliative care network
- Independent studies 113h
- Webinars 22 h
Prerequisites / Recommended Optional Courses
Professional basic and subject studies in nursing
Basics of pharmacotherapy
Deepening drug treatment
Contents
- Mechanisms and treatment of the most common symptoms (pain, dyspnoea, GI symptoms, ascites, mental symptoms, fatigue, cachexia, skin symptoms)
- Treatment of pain in different patient groups, medical treatment especially with opioids, non-pharmacological pain treatment
- Medicinal and non-pharmacological treatment of other symptoms
- Symptom surveys and pain indicators
- Multi-professional teamwork
- Principles of palliative sedation
- Euthanasia, death and the post-mortem holistic encounter of the palliative patient and their family, dialogue interaction and addressing difficult issues
- The role and significance of grief
- Cultural sensitivity in the face of grief and death
- Maintaining hope and relevance
- Caring presence and respectful touch as methods of help
- Forms of support (psychosocial, informative, emotional, mental, existential and spiritual and practical support)
- Interprofessional cooperation in comprehensive patient support
- Changes in patient communication, speech support and replacement communication methods and aids
- Reflecting on one's own perception of death and grief as well as life history and coping with one's own work
Regional Impact
It is possible to participate in the course through the open AMK, where employed nurses can participate in the course as professional development.
Recommended or Required Reading and Other Learning Resources/Tools
National online course / Palliative project (EduPal) material
Research data / Palliative care
Mode of Delivery / Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Independent work, group work, webinars, experts
Assessment Criteria
Level 5.
The student is able to:
- critically assess the need for care and support for the patient / client / family
- plan, implement and evaluate palliative care, use individual methods and solution options in the care / guidance of the client / patient and family members
- critically apply the ethical guidelines and principles of palliative care
Level 3.
The student is able to:
- identify the need for patient and client care and support
- plan and implement patient / client care
- to guide the patient / client in matters related to palliative care
- apply and justify their actions in accordance with the ethical guidelines and principles of palliative care
Level 1.
The student is able to:
- describe the need for patient and client care and support
- develop a plan for palliative care and implement the basics
- listen to the concerns and care needs of the patients / clients / family members and provide basic instructions
- act in accordance with the ethical guidelines and principles of palliative care
Assessment Methods
- Group / pair assignment
- Exam
- Participation in mandatory webinars
Numeric evaluation 0-5