Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Major

Nursing

Date of Defense

7-7-2021

Graduate Advisor

Laura Kuensting, DNP, APRN, PCNS-BC, CPNP, CPEN

Committee

Laura Kuensting, DNP, APRN, PCNS-BC, CPNP, CPEN

Vanessa Loyd, DNP, PhD, RN

Jeane Kuensting, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC

Abstract

Problem: Palliative care is a service focused on symptom management and improved quality of life for persons with serious or chronic illnesses and is widely underutilized. Although advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) possess a unique skillset to contribute to palliative care, there is minimal reporting on palliative care training for this professional group. The purpose of this clinical scholarship project was to implement the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) online training program for APRN students in the BSN-DNP program and evaluate its effect on student performance during a telehealth objective structured clinical examination (OSCE).

Methods: An observational, descriptive design at a Midwestern public university’s college of nursing. This quality improvement initiative implemented the online ELNEC training program into a BSN-DNP curriculum. The BSN-DNP students who had completed at least one diagnosis and management course were evaluated during an OSCE for their ability to communicate and explain palliative care.

Results: A total of 85 BSN-DNP students (N = 85) completed the telehealth palliative care OSCE. Scores for students’ explanation of palliative care were significantly higher among students who had completed two diagnosis and management courses when compared to those who had completed one course for their populations of focus (p = .048).

Implications for Practice: The ELNEC online palliative care training resulted in BSN-DNP students successfully explaining and communicating the role of palliative care during simulation.

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