Provide a higher level of comfort. Certificate Program in End of Life Care OFFERED ONLINE. School of Health Sciences. healthsciences.excelsior.

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1 Provide a higher level of comfort. School of Health Sciences Certificate Program in End of Life Care OFFERED ONLINE

2 Become a more accomplished caregiver. You ve dedicated yourself to caring for others. Now you want to be even better prepared to provide the highest quality of care to patients at the end of life. This 12-credit certificate program from Excelsior College* will expand your knowledge and give you the skills needed to improve patients quality of life. This online Certificate Program in End of Life Care will demonstrate to patients, employers and most important, yourself that you have expertise in this field. You can choose four courses from a curriculum that covers topics such as: pain and symptom management case management concepts of death, loss, grief and bereavement coping strategies for patients and families spirituality wound care Be part of a valued and rapidly expanding field. The need for quality end of life care is increasing. The elderly population is growing rapidly, advanced treatments are prolonging life and diagnoses are becoming more complex. Health care professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in providing end of life care are in great demand throughout the health care continuum. * formerly Regents College Balance the demands of work, family and school with this flexible and convenient online certificate program.

3 The flexibility every student needs. This certificate program is designed to fit the busy schedules of working nurses and other health care professionals. Courses are offered in 15-week modules every two months. The program can be completed in one to three years. The convenience every busy working adult demands. Courses are offered entirely online, so you can earn your certificate from the comfort of your home. That means no extra commuting. Each course has start and end dates and weekly assignments to help keep you on track, but you choose when to work and when to learn. Enjoy support every step of the way. Courses are offered online, but that doesn t mean you have to do it alone. Many of Excelsior College s extensive support services can be accessed online as well: Excelsior College Bookstore Academic advisors Electronic Peer Network Financial aid services Technology assistance Excelsior College Virtual Library Developed by leaders in the field. This program was developed by Excelsior College in collaboration with nationally known experts in end of life care. Supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, it was piloted in 26 hospices in nine states. Prepare for Certification Although the Certificate is much more than a certification prep course, the knowledge acquired will help you to successfully complete the CHPN certification examination overseen by the NBCHPN. In the Excelsior College Certificate Pilot program, 12 out of 14 students successfully passed the examination on their first attempt. I enrolled in this program to gain more knowledge and expertise in being a patient and family advocate at the end of life. The online format is more convenient for me it allows me to learn at my own pace, between heavy case loads and busy home life. I have already learned a lot about ethical issues related to death and dying, Medicare and Medicaid standards, and how different facilities provide end of life care. I will definitely apply everything I have learned in my current job. Lisa Seagroves RN Case Manager Hospice of East Texas Tyler, TX Lisa is an Excelsior College student in the online Certificate Program in End of Life Care and has a full-time job working with patients and families in their homes.

4 Certificate Courses HSC 406/NUR 406 Principles and Concepts in End of Life Care This 3 credit undergraduate course provides a foundation for understanding concepts of end-of-life care including the history, philosophy, ethics and cultural perspectives of hospice as a philosophy for caring of patients at end of life. The role of the interdisciplinary team addressing end of life care issues will be discussed. In addition, elements of communication and self-care strategies for the professional and the caregiver will be addressed. This course is recommended for nurses and health care professionals working or interested in end of life care. HSC 408/NUR 408 Death Dying and Bereavement This 3 credit undergraduate course examines the psychosocial, cultural, ethical, social, and legal aspects of end of life care. The role of each team member responding to the psychosocial needs of the patients and families will be addressed. Concepts of loss, death, grief and bereavement will be discussed, as well as coping strategies for the patient and family. HSC 410/NUR 410 Symptom Management in End of Life Care This 3 credit undergraduate level course provides the nurse and healthcare team with key concepts in maintaining quality of life through the provision of multidimensional symptom management. A holistic perspective integrating both conventional and adjunct therapies for a comprehensive symptom management approach will be developed. Personal and professional perspectives of pain and symptom management will be explored. HSC 411/NUR 411 Case Management in End of Life Care This 3 credit course integrates principles of case management into the role of the healthcare professional on the interdisciplinary team, managing the complex needs and resources for the person at the end of life. Effective communication, resource management and time management skills will be discussed. Opportunities to discuss selected cases with faculty will be integrated. This course is open to all members of the interdisciplinary team that are interested or involved in case management. HSC 415/NUR 415 Multidisciplinary Wound Care This interdisciplinary course which is open to undergraduate students from any of the health science disciplines focuses on the biology, pathophysiology, prevention management, and treatment of acute and chronic wounds. Through course readings, exercises, and faculty feedback, students will assess wound etiologies, factors that influence healing, and then apply concepts of evidence-based practice in the prevention, management and treatment of acute and chronic wounds. HSC 420/NUR 420 Spirituality and Life Transitions This course covers the major theories, research, and assessment tools related to spirituality as it pertains to persons at end-of-life. Spiritual assessment skills for assisting others will be explored as well as opportunities for spiritual self-assessment and reflection. Theoretical and experiential learning methodologies will be utilized. Note: The above courses are cross-listed and can be taken for credit in either Nursing (NUR) or Health Sciences (HSC). Any of the above courses may be taken on a non-matriculated basis, as a student enrolled in the certificate program or by a degree student with advisor approval. The Certificate Program in End of Life Care increases students knowledge of the latest treatments, developments and technologies, and gives them the most up-to-date education and specialized training they need to best serve patients. Carol Matthews, RNC, CHPN, MPA Chief Clinical Officer Port Jefferson, New York Carol not only encourages that her hospice nurses take a certificate program in end of life care, she requires it. For more information on the Certificate Program in End of Life Care and other School of Health Sciences programs, go to

5 Continue your education even further. In addition to the End of Life Care certificate, the Excelsior College School of Health Sciences offers certificate programs in Nursing Management and Health Care Informatics as well as a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with four concentration options: Health Education, Gerontology, Management and End of Life Care. Excelsior College is an accredited leader in distance education and the world s largest educator of nurses at a distance. Our School of Nursing offers a variety of programs including NLNAC-accredited nursing degrees at the associate, bachelor s and master s levels. It is one of only seven nursing programs in the country designated by the National League of Nursing as an NLN Center of Excellence. Ask an Admissions Counselor how credits earned with this certificate program can count toward an Excelsior College degree. For a complete description of Excelsior College s degree and certificate programs, go to

6 EOLBro0906v2 8/14/06 9:37 AM Page 5 Contact us today about enrolling in the online Certificate Program in End of Life Care. Visit us online Call toll free Press 2-7 at the prompt. us admissions@excelsior.edu About the School of Health Sciences The School of Health Sciences offers flexible, online interdisciplinary programs that reflect current trends, examine innovative practices, and address global perspectives to help busy professionals respond to emerging health and human services needs in a changing society. About Excelsior College Excelsior College helps busy working adults earn the degrees they need with flexible distance education programs. As a world leader in distance education, we apply the college credit you have already earned to a respected degree or program in Liberal Arts, Business, Technology, Health Sciences or Nursing giving you the best start toward degree completion. Located at 7 Columbia Circle Albany, New York , Excelsior College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools 3624 Market Street Philadelphia, PA The Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The associate, baccalaureate and master s degree programs in nursing are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) 61 Broadway New York, NY The NLNAC is a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. All the College s academic programs are registered (i.e., approved) by the New York State Education Department. Excelsior College admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin. EX /06