Table 1.

End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium-core modules and overviews

ELNEC module	Overview of the module
#1: Introduction to palliative nursing care	This module creates the foundation for the ELNEC curriculum. It is an overview of the need to improve palliative care and the role of the nurse as a member of an interdisciplinary team in providing quality care. Basic definitions and principles of hospice and palliative care are presented within a QOL framework
#2: Pain management	This module reviews basic principles of pain assessment and management, with a focus on pain at the end of life
#3: Symptom management	This module builds on Module 2: Pain management, by addressing other symptoms common in advanced disease and the role of the nurse in managing these symptoms
#4: Ethical issues in palliative care nursing	This module discusses some of the key ethical issues and legal concerns in end-of-life/palliative care and resources to address these in practice
#5: Cultural and spiritual considerations at the end-of-life	This module reviews dimensions of culture, which influence care in advanced disease. Assessment of culture is emphasized as essential to adequate communication and in providing culturally sensitive care
#6: Communication	This module emphasizes the importance of good communication in end-of-life care. The complexities of communicating with patients and families at this critical time are described along with suggestions for care
#7: Loss, grief, and bereavement	This module addresses the challenging aspects of grief, loss, and bereavement of patients and families as well as the loss experiences of health-care professionals
#8: Final hours	This module focuses on care at the actual time of death, emphasizing the preparation necessary to insure the best care at this critical event in the trajectory of illness

ELNEC: End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium, QOL: Quality of life