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This course is available at Level 6 and Level 7, and as a credit and a non-credit bearing module.

Credits: 20 credits at Level 6 and 7.

Why study this subject?

This course is suitable for qualified healthcare professionals who wish to develop their knowledge, understanding and skillset in caring for patients at the end of their lives, across all care settings.

It is carefully designed to deliver up-to-date theory and to allow discussion of advancements in practice including new interventions and technological developments. The taught content will be linked to your experiences allowing critical discussion of practice with other students on the course.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

This short course in end of life care and symptom management will provide you with the opportunity to critically explore current thinking and emerging research regarding the care of patients with advanced progressive disease. This will include physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs, with a particular focus on end of life care regardless of diagnosis.

On successful completion of the module, you'll have developed a range of generic skills and abilities which not only relate to some core dimensions of the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework but also to attributes articulated by the Chief Nursing Officer's six Cs - care, compassion, courage, communication, commitment and competence.

You'll have the opportunity to develop academic and professional knowledge and understanding enabling you to contribute effectively to the planning, implementation and evaluation of care delivery within the healthcare arena.

We support you in developing analytical skills, critical thinking, problem solving and reflective practice necessary to provide evidence-based, holistic care for patients and their families.

These skills will enable you to critically analyse the decision-making process in utilising higher levels of clinical judgement to question and rationalise actions to improve and promote best quality care.

Upon completion of this module, you'll have an understanding of key issues like the importance of patient choice in end of life care and factors contributing to supporting a patient's choice regarding place of care and management of physical and psychological symptoms. This course will also help you to develop your own self-awareness and interpersonal skills.

Insight into these topics will be valuable to the healthcare practitioner, especially those progressing into junior managerial positions.

At BNU, we recognise roles in this field are hands-on – that’s why you’ll take part in simulated learning experiences using our specialised facilities dedicated to nursing at our Uxbridge campus.

What will I study?

Over the 15 weeks, you will explore evidence-based practice, including the following:

• social attitudes to death and dying
• death in society and dying trajectories
• policy relating to end of life care
• assessment of quality of life and suffering
• communications skills
• symptom management:
  • pain
  • breathlessness
  • fatigue
• final days
• palliative care emergencies
• psychological issues:
  • cultural and spiritual dimensions
  • anxiety and depression
  • living with uncertainty and existential distress
• ethical issues:
  • patient choice and advanced care planning
  • Resource issues
  • withdrawal and withholding treatment
  • assisted dying
• care of the family
• bereavement care
• end of life care for people with dementia
• safeguarding.

This course is available at Level 6 and Level 7, as well as a non-credit bearing module.  

Non-credit bearing modules are ideal for students wanting to continue their professional development but do not require credits to put towards an award.  

On completion of the non-credit bearing module, you will not be required to undertake a final assessment, however, you will receive a certificate of Continuing Professional Development hours which will be valuable for NMC re-validation purposes.