The change in perspective in the hospital simulation gives nursing students valuable insights in the importance of empathy in the relation patient-nurse. Four themes were identified: endurance, silent scream for attention, scary dependency and confrontation with the role of patient. Students learned about the possibilities and difficulties of empathy in different stages of the simulation. A hospital simulation is a useful and practical method to teach students empathy from the patients' perspective, on condition that there is a solid preparation for experiential learning.

Palliative care courses can make a significant contribution to nurses' knowledge and insight, as well as their self-efficacy in providing palliative care.

Insight into the barriers for implementation and tailoring implementation strategies to these barriers improves the implementation.