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Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Setup and Execution of the Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Death Notification Curriculum
Published on: August 5, 2020
Improving Attitudes and Perceived Competence in Caring for Dying Patients: An End-of-Life Simulation
Aim:
The aim of this study was to assess learning outcomes from a simulation on providing care to a critically ill patient from whom care is ultimately withdrawn.
Background:
Nursing students have anxiety and low perceived competence for caring for dying patients. Effective strategies for teaching communication, assessment, and basic nursing skills are needed.
Method:
A pretest-posttest design compared perceived competence and attitudes in caring for dying patients with three separate cohorts of undergraduate nursing students performing the simulation.
Results:
The cohorts had significantly improved scores on the perceived competence (p < .001) and attitude (p < .01) measures following the simulation. Reliability for a new instrument to assess perceived competence in caring for dying patients was also established.
Conclusion:
This study's simulation offers a robust teaching strategy for improving nursing students' attitudes and perceived competence in caring for dying patients.
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