Nurse educators have identified that historically nurses have not been prepared to care for dying patients. Research also has identified that nursing students have anxieties about death, dying, and caring for dying patients. Several factors have been identified as affecting nurses' and nursing students' attitudes toward care of the dying. Factors addressed in this research were current and previous death education. This research incorporated experiential learning using a model of death education and transformative learning theory. The educational experiences were geared to help students understand the skills needed to care competently and compassionately for the dying. The use of the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) education package along with experiences at the hospice, the funeral home, the anatomy laboratory, and role play helped facilitate transformative learning in the nursing students. The study examined the effects of an educational experience to determine if a one-time educational experience provides sufficient, lasting effects in a 6-week format. Results of this study indicate that education can have a positive effect on nursing students' attitudes toward care of the dying. Nursing students in the intervention group had a significant positive increase in their attitudes toward care of the dying after the intervention. The attitude change increased slightly after a 4-week period.

Introduction: The Emergency Nurses Association and the American Heart Association support family presence during adult resuscitation (FPDAR). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of registered nurses and staff regarding FPDAR in the emergency department (ED). Methods: A convenience sample of ED registered nurses and staff was carried out using a questionnaire-based survey. The survey queried respondents on experience with family presence during invasive procedures, including resuscitation, and perceived barriers and facilitators to FPDAR in the ED. Results: Seventy-nine surveys were analyzed. Sixty-five percent of the respondents had participated in FPDAR in the past year and 82% indicated they supported FPDAR. Barriers included families interference during resuscitation and increased levels of stress on the emergency resuscitation team. Discussion: Despite fear of families interfering and increased stress, most ED registered nurses and staff support FPDAR. There is a need for education to increase understanding of FPDAR.

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