Healthcare professionals are changing the way palliative and end-of-life care is delivered. With increasing demand for specialized nurses to provide this vital service, INSCOL’s Palliative Care nursing program focuses on preparing you to respond in meaningful ways to patient support needs – by mobilizing knowledge, resources and skills.
By embracing the principles of person and family centered care and promoting hope and learning with standardized patients, we can create a more positive experience within each individual situation both for patients and their families as well as for healthcare workers.
According to the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA), approximately 16% to 30% of Canadians who die have access to or receive hospice palliative and end-of-life care services – depending on where they live in Canada which directly indicates the massive demand for hospice palliative care services.
Palliative or end-of-care is associated with advanced, life-limiting illnesses and focuses on comfort and quality of life for patients suffering from these diseases. With the ongoing development of palliative care throughout Canada, healthcare officials are facing a challenge in deciding when and where palliative care services should be developed and configured.
The palliative care nursing programs in Canada deliver holistic, cost-effective, evidence-based strategies to fill in the existing loopholes in palliative care healthcare programs and meet the critical demands and needs of the patients.
The demand for Hospice Palliative Care in Canada
When it comes to end-of-life care, Hospice Palliative Care is one of the most valuable resources. This program provides assistance to individuals nearing the end of their lives, as well as support for their loved ones.
With the demand for Hospice Palliative Care on the rise, it’s clear that Canadians appreciate the compassionate care that this program offers. Through advanced learning and constant innovation, the Hospice Palliative Care community is always striving to improve the dying process and make it as comfortable as possible. We can take comfort in knowing that, in the face of what can be a difficult time, we have access to skilled and empathetic care.
Listed below are some facts that highlight the importance of hospice palliative care in Canada.
- An approximated 54 hours per week are required to provide care for an individual living with a terminal illness.
- Canadian seniors account for 75% of deaths each year in Canada.
- It is estimated that by 2031, the ratio of elder Canadians is expected to be between 6.1% to 6.5% of the total Canadian population.
Focusing on the Goals of Palliative Care Nursing Programs in Canada
In Canada, there are several nursing programs designed to meet the increasing demand for professionals in palliative care. Canada’s healthcare system recognizes palliative care as an essential component of comprehensive healthcare, and it has fostered the development of numerous palliative care nursing programs.
Let us highlight the goals of these programs to help nursing professionals and students understand the essential components of palliative care.
Developing Competent Palliative Care Nurses:
The primary goal of palliative care nursing and allied health programs in Canada is to develop and ensure that all nursing and allied health professionals have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide high-quality patient-centered care.
These programs equip nurses with the ability to evaluate, assess and manage symptoms and create care plans that tailor exemplary care to patients and patient needs. Hence, graduates of this program say, the focus of these training programs is on developing compassionate, competent, and ethical practitioners.
Providing Essential Education and Training:
Palliative Care Nursing Programs offer education and training tailored to meet different learner’s needs such as undergraduate, a graduate certificate, or Continuing Professional Development. Certified programs provide nurses with advanced learning and the opportunity to have access to co curricular, evidence-based resources, guidelines, and best practices.
Ensuring that Palliative Care Nursing is Patient-centered:
provides an opportunity for healthcare professionals to incorporate the preferences and priorities of their patients in the care delivery process. Patient-centered care is the hallmark of palliative care, and the programs prioritize this approach.
The programs equip all nursing and allied health professionals with essential communication and interpersonal skills needed to build therapeutic relationships with patients and their loved ones.
Promoting Quality Care:
Palliative Care Nursing Programs provide education that supports ongoing quality improvement practices. It equips nurses with the relevant knowledge and tools to assess care practices, deliver appropriate interventions, and identify areas where quality improvements are necessary.
By promoting quality care, nursing professionals in palliative care can ensure that patients, families, and caregivers receive high-quality care.
Supporting the Advancement of Palliative Care:
The Palliative Care Nursing programs in Canada enhance continuous learning, leadership, and the advancement of palliative care. They encourage nurses to seek research, attend conferences, and participate in workshops that help expand their knowledge and leadership skills.
What are the 3 main goals of palliative care?
Palliative care is a vital aspect of healthcare that aims to provide comfort, quality of life, and dignity to individuals suffering from serious illnesses. This type of care is particularly crucial for those with terminal or chronic illnesses, as it helps to manage their symptoms and improve their overall wellbeing. The three main goals of palliative care are to:
- manage pain and other distressing symptoms,
- enhance the patient’s quality of life,
- and provide emotional and spiritual support.
By focusing on these goals, patients and their families are able to receive the care and attention they need during what can be a difficult and emotionally taxing time. The goal of palliative care is to ensure that the patient’s physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being is addressed in a holistic and compassionate manner.
What is a multidisciplinary team in palliative care?
When it comes to caring for individuals during their final stages of life, a palliative care program can be incredibly important. A multidisciplinary team may be utilized in such a program to provide comprehensive and exemplary care to patients. This team consists of healthcare professionals with various specialties, including doctors, nurses, social workers, and counselors.
Working together, these individuals create a holistic care plan that addresses not just physical symptoms, but also spiritual complexities and emotional needs. Allied health programs such as massage therapy, music therapy, and art therapy may also be incorporated into care plans. By utilizing a multidisciplinary team, patients and their families can receive care that takes every aspect of the dying process and transition into consideration.
Essential skills for palliative care professionals
As a nurse working in palliative care, you’ll need a unique set of skills and abilities to provide compassionate, quality care to patients and their families. We’ll discuss some of the essential skills and knowledge you’ll need to excel in this role.
Strong Communication Skills
Excellent communication skills are essential for nurses working in palliative care. Patients and their families may be dealing with difficult emotions, and nurses must be able to provide comfort and clarity during these stressful times. Palliative care nurses must also be skilled in communicating delicate information about prognosis and end-of-life care plans.
Pain Management Knowledge
Pain management is a crucial aspect of palliative care nursing. The nurse should have a deep understanding of various types of pain and the medications, therapies, and other interventions that can be used to provide effective symptom relief. They should also be familiar with non-pharmacologic interventions, such as massage therapy and acupuncture.
Sensitivity and Empathy
Working in palliative care requires a high level of sensitivity, compassion, and empathy. Patients and families are often experiencing profound emotional pain, and nurses must be able to respond to them with kindness, understanding, and respect. Compassionate nursing care can make an incredible difference in the lives of those being cared for.
Cultural Competence
In palliative care, nurses may work with patients from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Understanding cultural differences can help build rapport and trust between the nurse and patient. It can also help in recognizing and addressing cultural sensitivities related to end-of-life care, religious practices, and other traditions.
Increased Understanding of Death and Dying
Regular exposure to death and dying may lead to a better understanding of these processes. This experience informs a nurse’s ability to offer emotional support and understanding to patients and their families. Palliative care nurses must also be able to work effectively with families who are grieving and coping with the physical side of the dying process.
Palliative Care Multidiscipline program at Niagara College
Niagara College’s Palliative Care Multidiscipline program is an exceptional program that provides students with access to a unique interprofessional education experience. Prior to their enrolment, students are expected to have received some form of pre-existing or previous education.
The program is known for fostering student engagement by giving students the opportunity to learn actively instead of just memorizing textbooks. This exceptional learning experience is made possible through the graduates of this program being multidisciplinary and the blend of health care specialists working together in palliative care settings.
The program ensures graduating students are equipped with the necessary expertise and skills required in the ever-growing palliative care field.
INSCOL, in partnership with leading universities and colleges, provides palliative care nursing programs that are aligned with the “National Norms and Principles of Practice” that have been developed by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA).
