The Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) PEOLC Education Interest Group provides nurse educators with a forum to come together in the spirit and purpose of establishing a Community of Practice to advance professional PEOL nursing education through activities of teaching-learning, conducting inquiry, exchanging ideas, and providing relevant recommendations to CASN.

We meet three or more times a year by virtual means provided by CASN dialogue conferencing system. We are a diverse group of nurses with a passion to help raise awareness about the Integration of a Palliative Approach to care within nursing education and health care. Essentially, we are committed to helping to prepare the workforce to provide excellent care for the dying person, loved ones, and family.

Bill C-277, An Act providing for the development of a framework on palliative care in Canada became law on December 12, 2017. This act is the first step in developing a framework for implementing an integrated approach to palliative care in Canada and in improving access to this necessary health service. An important component of this framework will be to ensure nurses and other healthcare providers receive pre- and post-licensure education to enhance knowledge and skill to provide palliative care to those with life-limiting illnesses early in their illness trajectory and in all settings, regardless of the focus of care. As nurse educators, we have a role in ensuring nurses have the competence and confidence to provide this essential health service to Canadians.

Bill C-14, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make related amendments to other Acts (medical assistance in dying) became law on June 17, 2016. Medical assistance in dying (MAID) provides eligible Canadians the right to receive MAID in the context of grievous and irremediable suffering and when death is reasonably foreseeable. As nurse educators, we must ensure nurses have a clear understanding of the law and other guidelines and policies that direct nurses in their role in the provision of this service. In addition, nurse educators must prepare nurses to explore and attend to issues of suffering and to advocate for access to quality palliative care so that Canadians have viable choices for care at the end of life. Click here to read CNA's National Nursing Framework on MAID.

Vancouver BC - January 22, 2018. 

Today I met the Member of Parliament, Marilyn Gladu who brought forth a private members bill, Bill C 277. Summarized by MP Shannon Stubbs, "The goal of this bill is to support improved access for Canadians to palliative care by creating a national framework, with the intent of expanding the availability and quality of front-line services in communities across Canada. That result would increase options and reduce the burden on family members by providing vital end-of-life care for their loved ones. This aim supports the dignity and comfort all Canadians deserve in the final stages of their lives." According to Marilyn, in the last 150 years, only 288 private member bills have received royal ascent and become law. This is an exceptional piece of work by Marilyn, her colleagues and those who collaborated across party lines to get this bill passed. Marilyn's story is inspiring. It is the story of someone who realized a need for services to be available across Canada, who realized that putting forth a "motion" might stimulate discussion, but realized that we needed a bill that would become LAW and would require the government to put action behind words and bring about change. This bill stands to change the way we die in the future for all Canadians... those in rural and remote areas, those with chronic life-limiting illnesses vs cancer, those living and dying in long term care as well as those living in the community and dying in hospice settings. Today I had the distinct privilege of presenting Marilyn Gladu with a letter from both the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing - Palliative and End-of-Life Care Nurse Educators Group, and the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Nurses Group. The letter expressed appreciation for her leadership and offered the support of these two groups dedicated to improve palliative care in Canada.