H1POEB - Palliative Nursing

Course Code:	H1POEB
Confirmed:	Feb 27, 2026
Valid From:	Jan 25, 2027

Education Cycle:	First-cycle level
Disciplinary domain:	Health care
Subject group:	Nursing Science
Specialised in:	G2F First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Main field of study:	Nursing

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

On completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

describe palliative nursing and the philosophy of palliative care
describe the care of adult patients and those close to them in the event of death
identify existential, social and cultural dimensions in palliative care.

Skills and abilities

execute difficult conversations with adult patients and those close to them
identify palliative nursing needs and plan the carrying out and evaluation of nursing
perform palliative nursing when caring for adult dying patients.

Judgement and approach

reflect on palliative care needs, with a person-centered perspective, regarding adult patients and those close to them
reflect on culture, ethics and human rights in co-produced palliative nursing.

Content

acts and legislation in relation to palliative care
care in the event of death
communication in palliative care
existential, spiritual and cultural dimensions
patient and relative perspectives
symptoms, signs and symptom alleviation
teamwork in palliative care
the philosophy of palliative care
treatment methods

Type of instruction

The course is implemented through lectures, seminars, study assignments and simulation.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements and passed courses in the nursing programme within semesters 1 and 2 or equivalent, furthermore, taken courses within semester 3 in the nursing programme or equivalent.

Examination and grades

The course is graded Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G) or Fail (U).

Examination will be based upon individual written examination, seminars and simulation.

Registration of examination:

Name of the Test	Value	Grading
Written examination ¹	2.5 credits	VG/G/U
Seminars	1 credit	G/U
Simulation	1 credit	G/U

¹Determines the final grade of the course, which is issued only when all course units have been passed.

Course literature

Please note that changes may be made to the reading list up until eight weeks before the start of the course.

Walshe, C., Preston, N., & Johnston, B. (Ed.). (2018). Palliativecare nursing: Principles and evidence for practice. Open University Press.

The latest edition of the course literature shall be used.

Scientific articles and other study materials will be added.

COURSE SYLLABUS