What Is Palliative Care Nursing and How to Become a Palliative Care Nurse in Canada?

In Canada, all people living with and dying from life-limiting illnesses and their families have access to nurses who provide compassionate care. This care eases the burden of suffering and improves quality of life. Palliative care is a combination of compassionate and active healing therapies designed to comfort and support people and their families who are living with, dying from life-limiting illness, or bereaved. Students enrolled in Palliative Care Nursing practice programmes will strive to

• Address the physical, social, spiritual and psychological needs of patients.
• Manage their related needs, hopes, fears and expectations.
• In some cases, nurses also prepare patients to manage their own end-of-life and dying processes.
• Help families cope with loss and grief caused by illness and bereavement.

In addition, palliative care in Canada also enables a professional to treat all active health problems, prevent new problems from occurring, promote new opportunities for meaningful experiences, facilitate personal growth, etc.  Because the role played by palliative care nurses is so important in saving people from life-threatening illnesses, palliative care nursing programmes in Canada are one of the best study options.

So, what qualities do you need to take up the role of palliative care nursing in Canada? Read the blog to find out!

Choosing Palliative Care Nursing

Palliative care is the practice of caring for patients with complex pain and symptoms of chronic illness. Palliative care nurses learn healing patient care techniques that are considered essential to improving patient care. If you choose to train as a palliative care nurse, you should be aware that the field requires a compassionate attitude. You will often have to deal with patients who are suffering from a long and serious illness. As you heal them, you will also need to be at your compassionate best.

Throughout your palliative care nursing studies in Canada, you will be able to manage patients' pain and symptoms while the doctor focuses on treatment. This type of care is considered appropriate for all individuals and families, regardless of age, who are living with or at risk of serious illness due to diagnosis, prognosis, or unmet expectations. Palliative care can sometimes complement disease-modifying treatments and is most effectively delivered by nurses working with multidisciplinary healthcare teams who are knowledgeable and skilled in all aspects of the care process.

Nurses are trained in some of the best nursing schools in Canada, which are governed by new standards of care. Once nurses have completed their training, they are accountable to professional standards set by licensing boards and professional associations. Trained palliative care nurses are, in fact, equal, invaluable and essential members of the health care team.

Palliative care programme - what can you expect?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines palliative care as an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness by preventing and relieving suffering through early recognition, accurate assessment and treatment of pain and other physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems. Students who choose to study the Palliative Care Nursing programme will be introduced to some of the key concepts and issues faced by nurses in providing palliative care to terminally ill patients. They study topics such as quality of life, research and current trends in medical treatments, social, personal and cultural aspects of death. They are also offered in-depth education on stress-inducing habits and values to be instilled in the process of caring.

As palliative care is provided to patients suffering from prolonged and serious illness in a variety of health conditions, students learn about treatment and care plans to be provided in the context of patients' health problems and conditions. On successful completion of Palliative Care Nursing, a student will be able to:

• Provide relief to patients suffering from pain and other distressing symptoms.
• Adopt a life care approach, viewing death as a normal part of life.
• Neither hasten nor postpone death in some circumstances.
• Include psychological and spiritual aspects in the provision of health care services.
• Work as a support system to help patients live an active life until death.
• Be a support system for families coping with the patient's illness and, in some cases, bereavement.
• Use a healthcare team approach to meet the needs of patients and their families, including bereavement counselling where appropriate.
• Improve quality of life and positively influence the overall course of the disease.
• Work in conjunction with other health care therapies aimed at prolonging life.

Conclusion

If you wish to work in the medical field as a palliative care provider, then planning your education in Canada is the best step forward in acquiring expertise in providing palliative care. By enrolling in a reputable palliative care nursing course at one of the best nursing colleges in Canada, you can become capable of helping patients and their families to make their lives comfortable and peaceful. Contact us at MWT Education Consultancy if you want to join palliative nursing care in Canada.