Impact of an Evidence-Based Pediatric Palliative Care Program on Nurses' Self-Efficacy

Background. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 1-day evidence-based pediatric palliative care continuing professional development program on nurses' and advanced practice registered nurses' perceived self-efficacy regarding palliative care. Method. The revised Pediatric Palliative Care Questionnaire was administered to participants before and after a 71/2 -hour program. A multimodal approach was used to teach topics specific to pediatric palliative care. Results. Thirty-one participants completed questionnaires. Notably, most of the participants had provided palliative or end-of-life care, but few had previous education specific to pediatrics. The self-efficacy scores of the participants significantly increased after program attendance (Z = 3.53, p < .001). Conclusion. Continuing professional development in pediatric palliative care improves nurses' and advanced practice registered nurses confidence in their skills to provide this care. Findings of this study support the need for pediatric-specific education in nursing training programs and continuing professional development offerings. Continuing education may be the key to improving access to high-quality care for children living with serious illness and their families.