Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant Core Curriculum

Book excerpt: The purpose of this text is to recognize Nursing Assistants' central role in end-of-life care and to ensure adequate preparation and educational support for their work. The goal is to enhance the palliative care knowledge base and skills of nursing assistants working in all clinical settings, including long-term care, hospitals, home care, and hospice. With this revised edition, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) continues to strive to support nursing assistants and nourish their development as integral members of the palliative care team. Authors and reviewers with extensive educational preparation and varied experiences were involved to ensure appropriate, accurate content and concepts that are important to nursing assistants. The Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant Core Curriculum is designed to be used either by Nursing Assistants or by Educators who prepare Nursing Assistants for clinical practice. This edition contains revised and updated content in every chapter. A new feature has also been added: case studies with questions and answers for each chapter to assess learning and to assist in the preparation if the certification examination. Answers and explanations are provided. HPNA hopes that all users of this text will grow in their ability provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients with life-limiting illness and their families.