This module aims to provide a definition of palliative care, explore palliative care principles and review illness trajectories. You will also examine the national palliative care standards, the competency standards for specialist palliative care nursing practice.

This module is suitable for nurses working in any environment, not only in palliative care.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this CPD module, you should be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of the standards and principles underpinning a supportive care approach to palliative nursing care
• discuss the impact of disease trajectory and of patients requiring palliative/supportive care
• relate the competency standards for specialist palliative care into your nursing practice.