When considering hospice palliative care, many professionals immediately think of caring for patients who are close to death and typically suffering from cancer. Graduates of campus and online nursing schools may also imagine a hospice patient as someone who has lost all hope after being told his or her illness is terminal. But according to practicing hospice palliative care nurses, these images are mere myths and fail to encompass the entire function of hospice palliative care nursing.
What is Hospice Palliative Care?
Graduates of campus and online nursing schools who choose to specialize in hospice palliative care focus on making patients comfortable and as free of pain as possible. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms rather than to cure a terminal disease. In addition to providing pain medications, a hospice palliative care nurse with a campus or online nursing degree may administer a blood transfusion to lesson the patient’s suffering from dyspnea (difficulty breathing) or may even give antibiotics when pneumonia is causing uncomfortable fever and chills.
Contrary to common perceptions, hospice palliative care is for a wider range of individuals than simply terminally ill cancer patients. Alberta RN, an official publication of a group of registered nurses, maintains that hospice palliative care is for any patient at risk of, diagnosed with, or experiencing a life-threatening illness no matter what their prognosis or age. A patient may also voluntarily exit hospice palliative care and return to aggressive medical care at any point in time.
Qualities Necessary for Success as a Hospice Palliative Care Nurse
Hospice palliative care nurses may assist their patients through the stages of grief and encourage a new focus for hope that is based on feeling good on a day-to-day basis and becoming comfortable with the idea of death. According to the Department of Labor, nurses need to be caring, sympathetic, responsible, and detail-oriented. Registered nurses also need to be emotionally stable in order to deal with job stresses, such as crises, emergencies, and human suffering. Internship and on-the-job training while completing an online program RN to BSN curriculum is necessary to gain the practical work experience required to practice as a hospice palliative care nurse.
Required Education to Practice as a Hospice Palliative Care Nurse
Registered nurses may legally practice in the U.S. with a hospital diploma, associate degree, or an RN to BSN degree (bachelor of science in nursing) . However, employers more often prefer to hire nurses who have attended a campus or online nursing program that leads to a bachelor of science in nursing. Particularly for specialized nursing fields, such as hospice palliative care, attending campus or online nursing schools for an RN to BSN degree teaches communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills that are necessary in today’s health care environment.
Many schools are now offering RN to BSN online programs that have been designed specifically for working registered nurses. Online nursing schools, such as the University of Phoenix, provide academic training in the following areas:
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
Other online nursing schools, such as South University, possess degree online RN programs that allow students to specialize in specific areas of nursing, including online nursing degree programs.
Those interested in learning more about online nursing degree options are encouraged to visit College-Pages.com, the education and career resource website.
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Westwood College is an institution of higher learning dedicated to providing quality, career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to launch, enhance, or change careers. The College offers broad access to education and serves a diverse, multicultural body of students in an environment that promotes pride, respect, and teamwork. The College's programs are designed to empower students to pursue their individual career goals.
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Our programs are current, in depth, and job oriented. A sound educational background, combined with "hands-on" experience, is required to meet the needs of an ever-changing and increasingly technical society.
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At ITT Tech we are committed to helping men and women develop the skills and knowledge to pursue many opportunities in fields involving technology, criminal justice, and business.
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Saint Leo University Online is a leading provider of accredited online education to working adults and is a major global provider of education to the military. The online programs are designed to meet the growing needs of adult students and offer the best attributes of traditional classroom education in conjunction with today's most innovative computer technology.
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Newbridge College provides high-quality, career specific training and an emphasis on practical skills required by today's employers.
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Once you decide to become part of the expanding, exciting, and in-demand world of healthcare, selecting the best college to meet your needs and goals is clearly one of your most important decisions. Medical Careers Institute, the School of Health Science of ECPI College of Technology, understands the aspirations of people who want to experience the rewards of caring and who want a direct route toward their career goal.
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Courses that you can take with you---the varied curriculums at HoHoKus Rets School of Business have been evaluated by the American Council on Education, allowing graduates to earn up to 55 college credits at more than 1500 colleges and universities across the nation.
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Find out why so many students in Florida and nationwide are choosing Southern Tech as their school of choice. Whether you need to upgrade your skills or change careers, we have the right program to fit your needs. Let us show you how to get the skills you need in a short amount of time so that you can get into your career today!
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Bellevue University, a leader in adult learning, is your best choice. We accept ALL of the credit in your associate's degree - that's EVERY credit in your A.A.S, A.S., A.G.S., and A.A. degree! And, Bellevue University gives you accelerated bachelor's degree completion 100% ONLINE. So, you enroll with your associate's degree, and complete your bachelor's degree in as little as 12 months.
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Tags: health care, nursing, registered nurse, RN to BSN, South University, University of Phoenix
This entry was posted
on Friday, March 20th, 2009 at 10:55 am and is filed under Medical and Nursing.
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