Nurses' perceptions of palliative care nursing

This exploratory study using a survey design sought to investigate nurses' perceptions of palliative care nursing before and after participating in a 60-hour continuing education programme. The 26 participants, from various nursing backgrounds, were enrolled on a joint university/hospital course which used a problem-based learning approach. During the course introduction, demographic data, together with descriptions of the students' perception/understanding of palliative care nursing, were obtained. Students' perceptions became the sole focus of the post-course study. Qualitative responses were analysed thematically and the remainder were analysed descriptively. The results suggest that those who undertook the course were beginning to move from a focus on carrying out nursing care to a deeper awareness of the possibilities of simply being with a patient. Other implications of the study were that palliative care educational programmes should be structured and taught in ways which help students reconceptualize the human person more holistically. Other factors emerged that were related to the physical environment of care and the wellbeing of staff in the practice setting.