SPECIAL SESSION: End of Life Nursing Care: The Art of Being Present and the Role of the Nurse

Description/Overview: This session will explore the role of nursing in caring for dying patients. We will look at the art of presence and how it can enhance communication with patients and families. We will also look at the nurse as a skilled clinician, advocate and guide through a patient's end-of-life journey. Content includes discussion about advance directives, pain and symptom management, addressing suffering and addressing patient/family conflict. Content of the presentation is based on both clinical and applied research as well as stories from the field.