Continuing education in palliative nursing

FAQs

• Target audience

  The target audience for the study is nurses who work or wish to work within palliative nursing in specialized healthcare or community healthcare. People live with serious illnesses and end their lives in all parts of the healthcare system. The study is intended for nurses who want more knowledge and competence in assessing, meeting, and providing professional care, nursing, and treatment to people with serious incurable diseases.

• What is palliation?

  Palliation is active treatment, care, and support for patients with incurable and life-threatening diseases. Alleviating patients' physical pain and other distressing symptoms is central, along with interventions aimed at addressing mental, social, and spiritual/existential issues. The goal of all treatment, care, and support is the best possible quality of life for both the patient and their relatives. Palliative treatment and care neither hasten death nor prolong the dying process but view death as a part of life.

• Main goal of the study

  The students are expected to further develop their theoretical, professional, ethical, and practical competence in palliative nursing. These skills should be integrated in such a way that students become valuable resources in their workplaces and are capable of taking on leadership and development tasks within the field of palliative nursing.

• Relevance of the study

  Just as certain as we are born, we will all die. Life is vulnerable, and as newborns, it is clear that we are entirely dependent on others to grow up. The significance of care for the child is crucial. Throughout life, we can forget our vulnerability and dependence on others. At the end of life, we are reminded of this. How we take care of each other in a vulnerable life situation and at the end of life says a lot about who we are and how human dignity is valued in our society. Several public reports have described care for seriously ill and dying individuals as important focus areas at all levels of the healthcare system.

  Government Report Number 47 (2008–2009) "The Coordination Reform" points to an increased need for palliative units in community healthcare. The shift in health policy towards community healthcare means that the demand for expertise in palliative care is strongly increasing.

• Working method

  The study is a part-time program consisting of 60 credits over two years. There are three week-long gatherings per semester, making it suitable for working professionals. Additionally, there are six weeks of practical studies in the first year of the program. The teaching methods are diverse and include lectures, study of relevant academic and research literature, professional development work, assignment writing and application, as well as the advancement of knowledge through practical studies.

• Practical studies

  To strengthen the knowledge base, there is a requirement for six weeks of practical studies. The practice should take place in a palliative department, center, unit, or team in a hospital or nursing home. The choice of the practice location is made in consultation with and approved by the university. Practical studies can be conducted in the student's local area or applied for abroad. The university has contacts with several practice sites, such as the Palliative Team at Haukeland University Hospital and the Palliative Unit at Bergen Red Cross Nursing Home.

  The practical studies are carried out over 3 weeks in the first semester and 3 weeks in the second semester. We encourage students who do not live in Bergen and the surrounding areas to arrange their own internships. The periods for the fall 2024 practical studies may be in weeks 36-38, 40-46, or 48-51. The periods for the spring 2025 practical studies may be in weeks 5-9, 11-18, or 20-25.

• Add-on to masters degree

  The continuing education can be included as the first part of the Masters in Clinical Nursing.