title: Advances and Challenges: Student Reflections From an Online Death and Dying Course.
abstract: This study describes nursing students' reflections on taking an online course on death and dying. In a semistructured paper, students described fears of caring for clients at end of life (EOL), important content learned, and remaining discomforts. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis. Consistent themes were noted among the papers. Student reflections on the knowledge they gained closely followed initial fears. Several students appreciated the ability to reflect on their experiences in a nonjudgmental setting. Overall, the data showed that nursing students can become more confident in EOL care through online education. Knowledge gains and continued fears about the same topics suggest EOL confidence lies along a continuum and may require ongoing education. Future research should focus on offering online continuing education on EOL to practicing nurses.
authors.affiliation: Undergraduate Department, University of Central Florida, College of Nursing, Orlando, FL, USA victoria.loerzel@ucf.edu.
authors.forename: Victoria Wochna
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Loerzel
authors.affiliation: Undergraduate Department, University of Central Florida, College of Nursing, Orlando, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Conner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003479:Curriculum; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods*; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: continuing education; death and dying education; nursing education; nursing students; online education; undergraduate studies