Palliative Care

Palliative care is specialized interdisciplinary care focusing on the promotion of quality of life in patients with serious illness. Palliative care is offered along with active treatment, as well as at end of life care - to people of all ages and in all settings. Palliative care focuses on expert physical and psychosocial symptom management, family support and skilled communication to align treatment with patient’s goals and values.

Palliative care provides an extra layer of support for patients with serious illness and can be added to any population-focused NP program of study.

Highlights

Small classes combining seminars, simulations, and clinical learning.

Advanced Certificate: Post Master’s NP Palliative Care Specialty

• 12 credit program
• Includes classes listed above, with additional clinical seminar
• Part-time, over 15 months, flexible and designed for working NPs

Goals

Program individualized to meet individual learning needs of students:

• Primary Palliative Care: Integrates palliative care concepts and skills into all NP practice.
• Specialty Palliative Care: Designed for NPs who want to practice as Palliative Care specialists.

Practicum opportunities

• Practicum opportunities available in premier academic medical centers & community agencies over two summer terms.
• Students work with in-patient consultation teams, outpatient clinics, inpatient and home hospice agencies, to obtain 300-500 clinical hours.
• Clinical placement facilitated by faculty.

Program outcome

The palliative care sequence provides specialty education to NPs dedicated to providing patient-centered and family-oriented care focusing on quality of life in serious illness.