Teaching Cultural Considerations at the End of Life: End of Life Nursing Education Consortium Program Recommendations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) is an end of life care nursing education program that addresses the many dimensions of culture, including ethnic identity, gender, age, differing abilities, sexual orientation, and religion and spirituality. This article focuses on one of the program's modules entitled "Cultural Considerations in End of Life Care." METHOD: The ELNEC "Cultural Considerations in End of Life Care" module, which identifies important cultural considerations as well as strategies and responses to teach cultural competence and sensitivity in undergraduate nursing curriculum, is described. FINDINGS: A total of 564 nursing faculty members and 707 continuing education faculty members have undergone ELNEC training. Essential module components including teaching strategies and resources are presented. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive education for nurses regarding cultural considerations in end of life care results in improved care for dying patients who ultimately have a peaceful, respectful death with sensitivity to their cultural expectations and needs.