The California State University is offering a new certificate program in palliative care for registered nurses under its Institute for Palliative Care. The specific course work, which the university is offering as an eight-week online class, is designed to introduce and train RNs on the specifics of palliative care. 

The launch of the certificate program is timed with an aging population in the United States where more people are living longer but caregiving resources are lacking in comparison. 

“RNs are often considered the backbone of our health care system,” explains Helen McNeal, Executive Director of the CSU Institute for Palliative Care. “An RN knowledgeable in palliative care will help both patients and family members face health care challenges more effectively and with greater compassion.”

The course curriculum includes the history of palliative care, pain and symptom management, ethics, care of special populations, care in various settings, and other topics relating to the specifics of palliative care. 

“Nurses will leave this course feeling empowered with the knowledge needed to provide high quality evidence-based palliative care. That means more compassionate and cost-effective health care for everyone,” says McNeal.

Both registered nurses with palliative care experience and those who do not have experience are able to receive certification through the course, which can be used as a “refresher” for those studying to take the CHPN (Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse) Certification exam.

Written by Elizabeth Ecker