End of Life Simulation in a Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Although undesired, death is a real potential outcome in any critical care unit, and end of life (EOL) care is a necessary nursing skill. While this can be an overwhelming experience for all medical providers, bedside nurses most frequently perform these difficult, but necessary tasks. Preparing newly hired nurses for this experience is challenging. This pediatric cardiac intensive care unit found that many nurses struggled with the emotional reactions, EOL tasks, and family support during their first EOL experience. An EOL simulation curriculum was developed and implemented, and a survey was administered to better understand the EOL educational needs of the newly hired nurses. After completing the simulation experience, the participants noted subjective increased comfort during EOL experience, and their peers noted a perceived increase in competence.