Nursing in Serious Illness and Palliative Care (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

The course runs from 6.1.- 7.2.2025.
A more detailed timetable can be found on the Lukkarikone and the Itslearning platform.

Before registering for the course, please note the pre-requisites for the course:
The student must have completed the 1st semester of theory studies and the theory studies of internal medicine - surgical nursing and at least 2 internships (HOPE and SIKI1 and/or SIKI2).

The course includes 2 credits of English language studies.
The course may attend international students.

Objective

NURSING IN SERIOUS ILLNESS AND PALLIATIVE CARE 5 ETCS VAPA

The course includes 2 ETCS of studies in English

Objectives
• understands cancer as a disease and identifies factors affecting cancer prevention and early detection.
• can explain the clinical pathway and key concepts of palliative care and terminal care as well as the relationships between them and apply this knowledge in their work.
• understands the methods of helping, examination and treatment of seriously ill patients and is able to plan, assess and document palliative and humane nursing.
• is able to comprehensively encounter, support and guide the individual needs of patients and their families and friends and to utilise presence as a method of assistance.
• recognises their attitudes towards an incurable illness and death
• knows how to work in a way that promotes patient safety.
• understands the importance of lifelong learning in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of patient care, including development and research project work.
• knows how to work in a multiprofessional team to support the patient's self-treatment and to use different guidance methods and evidence-based information.
• develops their professional skills in teamwork and in different networks while understanding the importance of lifelong learning
• demonstrates initiative and self-management skills in nursing and understanding in the contents of nursing.

Content

Contents
• Cancer, cancer prevention and the clinical pathway of cancer patients
• Basics of palliative care, care policies and restrictions, proactive treatment plan
• Nursing a seriously ill patient
• Comprehensive support and guidance of patients and their families and friends
• Patient and occupational safety
• Recording and reporting of treatment
• Multiprofessional team and group work and self-reflection
• Interaction and encounters

Materials

- Materials in Itslearning
- Huovinen, A. 2023. Kliininen hoitotyö. Sanoma Pro, Helsinki: Syöpää sairastavan hoitotyö and Verisairauksien hoitotyö, pages 732-882. FINNISH STUDENTS

Teaching methods

- Contact teaching
- Seminar work
- Goup work
- Preclinical practice
- Simulation
- Individual assignments
- Reflection
- Online discussion area (not exchange students)
- Tests
- Exam

Exam schedules

The task of the group is to inform teachers about any potential excessive workload.
The exam period will be agreed upon during the information session, where any possible excessive workload from assignments should be brought up.
No changes will be made to the schedules due to the challenges of class room reservations.

International connections

The course takes into account, for example.

Ecological sustainability:
Waste reduction: students will learn how to recycle and reduce pharmaceutical waste and use environmentally friendly materials.
Energy conservation: energy-efficient practices such as turning off lights and appliances when not needed will be taught.

Economic sustainability:
Resource management: students learn to think about nursing and nursing unit resources in an efficient and economical way that reduces costs and improves quality of care.
Cost-consciousness: The course will emphasise the importance of cost-effective care practices.

Social sustainability:
Patient wellbeing: students will learn how to support the holistic wellbeing of patients, including emotional and social support.
Equality and equity: the course will discuss the importance of equal and equitable care.
.
Education and awareness-raising:
Students will reflect on sustainable practices in nursing.

Completion alternatives

Obligation to participate:

- Info
- Preclinical practice
- Seminar work
- Simulation
- Psychosocial support, talking and reflection discussion

The substitute performance will preferably take place in the same class of another group. Find this out for yourself on the Lukkarikone.

Student workload

Student workload:
CONTACT:
- Info and lectures 7 h (info only for exchange studetns 1 h)
- Exchange students: Visit in a palliative care unit 4 h
- Seminar work 10 h
- Preclinical practice and simulation: 8h
- Exam 2 h
- Psychosocial support, encoutering with the patient 8h (not for exchange students)
- Reflection discussion: 4 h

INDIVIDUAL STUDIES: 54 h

Exchange students: 81 h

Qualifications

First-semester theoretical studies as well as theoretical studies in medical surgical nursing and at least 2 traineeships (Basics of nursing, internship in Nursing of Medical Surgical Patients 1 and/or 2)

Further information

Itslearning platform.